I understand your infantile chest beating, and debating someone with your kind of rapist wit ("San Fransicko!" lulz, it works on so many levels, because you're homophobic!") is analogous to wrestling a pig, but I wouldn't really chalk up Atlanta's year to "luck." I've talked to several NFL writers, including those who specifically cover the Saints, and they said that this year Payton would've swung one or two games, tops. That's 9-7, and depending on the games, still doesn't get you in the Playoffs.
Nor does Payton's absence change anything that happened to Atlanta this year. They split the season series and Brees was picked off five times in Atlanta (I was there, it was fun!), just as the Falcons offense came razor-close to winning in NOLA on the last drive, but couldn't, similar to Sunday.
As for the "old" comments, I'm not sure I understand your vantage point. Atlanta is old, but they're going to change out the old pieces. That's what NFL teams do. New Orleans is old in specific areas, too. They also dropped a ton of money on a two-down LB in Lofton that no one else, including Atlanta, wanted to give starter's money to. Go back and look at Gonzalez's TDs against NOLA, or go back and look at ANY third down conversion against NOLA that came in the middle passing lanes. He's a two-down 4-3 run stopper. He's awesome at it, but that's what he is, and a liability on third downs.
I think the Saints are improved next year, certainly. I think both Atlanta and New Orleans will finish with 9-11 wins each. I'm slowly growing to dread Carolina, as I'm sure y'all are as well.
I probably shouldn't have written this post, because you remind me so much of the Saints bandwagon periphery that ruin an otherwise fun rivalry filled with great fans on both sides. There's just something about your tone that just makes me sad.