Sunday, September 27, 2009

Saints Report #3 - September 27, 2009

The Saints are for real. With a stout defensive effort to go along with a miraculous halftime cure of Pierre Thomas’ knee injury the Saints pounded a good Buffalo Bill team into late submission.

After the Saints matriculated down the field on a routine first drive, the Bills defense turned up the heat on Drew Brees and forced the Saints to run. And run they did, first Lynell Hamilton, even Reggie Bush, and Pierre Thomas to two touchdowns and an amazing 126 yards after halftime.

Meanwhile, other than a fake field goal that resulted in a touchdown, the Bills did nothing on offense against the Saints retooled defense.

The Bills offensive strategy is puzzling. Let’s review: you have an injured running back, a young QB of modest talent, a new star receiver, and a center who confuses shoes with hands (Have you ever seen so many bad snaps?) Sounds like the perfect recipe for a no-huddle offense, doesn’t it? The Bills seem inexplicably committed to this Vietnam strategy and don’t seem to understand their personnel. But, their defense is a strong one, and the Saints pulled away in the 4th quarter – but don’t be fooled by the 27-7 score. It was closer than that – and the credit goes to the defense, which if it can keep playing like this should make me one hell of a prognosticator.

Now, here come the Jets to town, to be followed by an East Coast powerhouse parade of Patriots, Giants, Panthers, Falcons, and even the Cowboys. Expect the equally undefeated Jets to copy the Bills’ blueprint of stopping the pass first. Let’s hope our Pinball Wizard keeps the miracle cure.

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