Living the Dream.
Despite some early hiccups, the Saints disposed of the hapless Minnesota Vikings 42-20 Sunday. Saints fans are living the dream. Their quarterback is having a record season. Yesterday he threw for over 400 yards and 5 touchdowns and made it look easy. It looks like Drew Brees will break Dan Marino’s single season yardage record, which has stood for 27 years, and he may do it Monday night with one game still left on the schedule. Raise your hand if you ever thought that record would reside in New Orleans. Only in your dreams .
Here is the conclusion after Sunday’s beat down . The Saints are at this moment the best football team on the planet. They could probably even beat LSU.
Let’s start with the defense. They have slowly improved throughout the year, particularly in stopping the run. They are not creating turnovers, but they do specialize in harassing young quarterbacks. The secondary, when healthy, is very solid. Porter, Greer, and Robinson are steady coverage guys, even though it’s really impossible to effectively cover anyone in the NFL. Roman Harper, while weak in coverage is strong in run stoppage and pressuring quarterbacks. Unfortunately he has become a flag-magnet, as referees have apparently added him to the most-wanted list. Malcolm Jenkins should be joining Harper as a pro-bowler soon, although he is in the middle of every scrum. I guess he’s the Saints enforcer. Jonathan Vilma has been slowed by injury, and while the linebacker crew has been spectacular at times, they are probably the weakest part of the defense. What’s promising is that their young linebackers appear to be more athletic than in the past. They are running sideline to sideline better than at any times in recent years.
No one has noticed that the Saints Special teams, led by Darren Sproles and Courtney Roby, have been terrific all year.
Then there’s the offense. The Saints offense may be the best assemblage of talent ever. Drew Brees is in command of a healthy arsenal that is hitting on all cylinders, and any other cliché you want to apply. There are three quarterbacks, Brees, Brady, and Rodgers, that are playing at as high a level as the NFL has ever seen. It’s video game football and Brees has reached a comfort level with this Sean Payton offense that makes them a nightmare for defenses.
So now we can enjoy this holiday season without the ghosts of Christmas past. Next Monday night the Saints will face their only nemesis – a ball control offense. Ask the no longer undefeated Packers. Keep away is the only way to derail the big three quarterbacks. Atlanta will be trying to grind, the Saints will be flinging it all over the yard, and we won’t be thinking of Christmases past.
We’re too busy living the dream.
1 comment:
The Saints are lucky that they were playing Minnesota when they made those mistakes. I am afraid if they make mistakes Monday night against Atlanta, like they did in that game, the out come will not be pretty. Although Minnesota only got 6 points out of 2 turn overs, you can bet Atlanta will take full advantage and score touchdowns. I think that Drew Brees will be more on his toes against Atlanta and not try to force the ball into too tight of a spot, thus, hopefully, eliminating interceptions.
Another "faux pas" is penalties. The Saints cannot make stupid penalties against Atlanta. They will take advantage of this also.
All in all, I have to agree with you that the Saints are by far the best team in the league. As long as they play the full 60 minutes, don't take Atlanta for granted and eliminate the mistakes, they will win this game and the division.
New Orleans Saints, Superbowl bound in 2012. WHO DAT
Chris C.
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