Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Saints Report #9 - November 10, 2013

There is only one thing that guarantees a victory in an NFL game.  The one, irrevocable truth.  That one thing that if you accomplish it means you will not lose.   It’s the only sure thing in the history of the NFL.

Here it is:

Make 40 first downs. 

The Saints became the first team to ever do that as they strafed the Dallas Cowboys 49 – 17 Sunday night.  Never have the Saints gained more yards in a game.  Never has Sean Payton’s offense looked more efficient.  But for a Sproles muffed punt, an onside kick successfully pulled off by the Cowboys, and another unemployment application by Garret Hartley, the Saints came as close to perfection as possible.  Against a badly depleted Cowboy defense, the Saints offensive line redeemed themselves for their performance of a week ago against the Jets when they got manhandled.  The Saints ran the ball better than they have in years, with even Mark Ingram achieving a career high 145 yards.  Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles were equally effective as the Saints and a magnificent Brees put on an offensive clinic.  It must have felt like a mini-camp.

What we saw was a Dallas defense devastated by injuries just as much of the NFL is.  The schedule turns tougher and forces get depleted.  Saints Defensive Rookie of the year candidate Kenny Vaccaro, who has been the lynchpin to the Ryan turn around on defense, suffered a severe concussion and has already been ruled out for the 49’ers game.  He joins safeties Roman Harper and Malcolm Jenkins on the injury list and the key to this huge game will be preventing a breakout game from Colin Kapernick, who so far has not been spectacular. 

Great games ahead.  You ain’t seen nothing yet.

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