After 6 straight quarters of lethargy, the Saints desperately needed a game changing play. It did not seem likely. But, it was Taysom Hill
who went from being a cult player to a full-impact one with a blocked punt that was
by far the biggest play in the Saints 28-14 division-clinching win over the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's a hallmark of the Saints that every now and then they block a punt at just the right time.
The first half was a continuation of the disaster in Dallas
as the Saints wouldn’t run the ball, couldn’t run the ball, and once even reverted to some of the inexplicable play calling of their 7-9 seasons when
they lined up in an empty backfield on 2nd and 6. The defense continued to play well though and
with the Bucs holding a 14-3 lead half way through the 3rd quarter, Taysom
burst through on a 4th down and blocked the punt. Suddenly, it was Saints Alive. They reeled off 25 straight points,
highlighted by one of Brees’ patented fourth down up and over touchdowns, and one
of the best touchdown runs of Mark Ingram’s career. The defense held the Bucs without a second half score, putting 2 jobs in jeopardy: Quarterback Jameis Winston and Coach Dirk Koetter. It is doubtful that the Saints will face that pair next year.
The first 3 months of the season are warm ups. December is different. The weather is colder, the defenses are
finding themselves and catching up with the offenses. It’s harder to throw the ball in the chilly
wind. Raymond James Stadium was rain
soaked and sloppy. It was up to the Saints to win differently, and unlike their
last game, they gathered themselves and turned it on to close it out.
Ironic that after a pinball-like first three quarters
of the season, it is the Cam Jordan led-defense that is keeping the Saints in these late
season games. Yes, December is different.
The Saints thus win their division for the 2nd
year in a row, a franchise first. They
are now fighting for playoff positioning and hold a 2 game lead for a first round
bye. They play their third straight road
game next Sunday at Carolina. It looked like
the Saints closing stretch of 2 with Carolina and 1 with Pittsburgh would be of
major importance, but those teams are mired in losing streaks, and the other
three NFC South teams could finish not just out of the playoffs, but with
losing records. Who saw that coming?
Sunday, prospects that were looking dim at 2 pm brightened up
considerably by midnight. The
last game of the day brought the Rams down to earth, as they lost to the Bears 15-6,
apparently having their “Dallas” moment. This put the Saints back in the top
spot for home field advantage throughout the playoffs, with 3 games to hold on
to that position. There is no doubt that a home dome advantage
like the Saints had in 2009 is their goal.
One more thing about these last 3 games. Michael Thomas will expand on his
records. He caught 10 passes for 98 yards
to set the “first 3 years” reception total record. He now has 298 catches for 3600 yards. Thomas is Brees’ first pro-bowl receiver,
just one more reason to marvel at Brees’ records.
Should the Saints win out to finish 14-2 it will be their
best regular season record ever.
Wouldn't that be something?
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