Saints Report #6

The Saints traveled to Ford Field in Detroit and blew a game 24 – 23 on Sunday.  It was an epic collapse. In a season that was so optimistically anticipated the Saints have pivoted from being a fearsome contender to being a team that no one fears. 

There is a razor thin difference between good and bad teams in the NFL.  Yet somehow good teams, which the Saints have been for most of the last 8 years, pull games out of the fire often, occasionally win when they shouldn’t, usually win when they should, and just seem to find a way to a winning record.  But for most of their history, the Saints have been one of “those” teams who just seem to come up short, finding a way to lose.  

Bad news for the Who Dat nation.

The Saints seem to again be one of “those” teams.

One of “those” teams that can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

One of “those” teams that can’t protect a lead in the 4^th quarter.

One of “those” teams that can’t run the ball to control the clock when it needs to.

One of “those” teams that can’t protect the quarterback when he needs time to throw.

One of “those” teams that outplay the other team for 3 quarters only to blow it in the clutch.

One of “those” teams that blows a 23 – 10 lead with just 4 minutes to go

One of “those” teams that gives up a big play after holding the opposing offense down for 56 minutes.

One of “those” teams whose quarterback throws a critical interception at the exact wrong moment.

One of “those” teams that always seems to draw a penalty flag when they need it the least.

And on and on.

After dominating the Lions for 56 minutes, even leading 17 - 3 at one point, the Saints collapsed as if the quarterback was named Hebert, and the coach was named, well pick one….  Leading 23 – 10, the Saints seemed to have the game well in hand, when they gave up an inexplicable 70 yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate pulling the Lions to 23 – 17.  The Saints got the ball and desperately needed a time-consuming drive to seal the victory.  What they got was the worst possible alternative.  Drew Brees had carried the load all day with the running game totally awol against the Lions top-rated defense.  But he threw an interception that got returned to the 15. 

Then the defense, which had also been terrific all day, almost held, but Rafael Bush got called for pass interference on 4^th down, and the Lions scored their second touchdown in 2 minutes and change to take control 24-23. 

Then the Saints last drive fizzled just like you would expect of one of “those” teams.  It was the 7^th consecutive road loss, but this is one that really got away, lifted away by all of the past franchise ghosts.

Now their home winning streak is on the line as the Packers come to the dome next Sunday night. 

Unfortunately, this will be a match-up of two teams going in opposite directions.  Confidence is low.

There is only one piece of good news.  The Saints are getting brutalized by their schedule, but so is the rest of the division, easily the weakest in the NFL.  Even at 2 – 4, the Saints are still in contention, which is the last thing you’d expect of one of “those” teams, but just what you would expect of a team that has tortured its fan base with losses like this for the better part of their existence.  Give ‘em just enough hope to keep ‘em coming back for more.  The problem is we’ve been spoiled for 8 years and we were expecting so much more.  The Who Dat nation is exhibiting some of the entitled impatience of Steeler, Patriot, or Packer fans.  When you get used to success you just don't want to go back to being one of "those" teams.