Saints Report # 8 - November 8, 2020

No one could figure out why the Saints were even bothering to travel to Tampa.  The Buccaneers were favored to throttle the Saints.  Every single pundit that I saw over the weekend picked the Bucs and predicted a recreation of Little Big Horn.  The Bucs had the GOAT Tom Brady, and the Saints had the Goatee, Drew Brees.  (Wouldn’t it be cool if he grew one?  No, his picture is in the dictionary under “clean cut.”)

Here’s what I knew:
Bruce Arians’ teams are often undisciplined.  (3 offsides at least).
The Saints were getting 3 of their top 4 receivers back, and the Saints had been winning without them.
And, Sean Payton just seems to have some team’s number.
I liked our chances.

What I could not have foreseen was the Saints playing a near perfect game, putting the Bucs to bed, 38-3.  Brees distributed the ball all night like Magic Johnson on a fast break.  The only player without a reception was someone who hasn’t been drafted yet.  Brady had his worst game as a pro and the Saints had scored 3 touchdowns.plus fumbled another one away, before the Bucs got a first down.  The Bucs only ran the ball 5 times all night, an NFL record.  Welcome to a real division Tommy.  Tommy, can you hear me?

Now don’t get carried away with me.  There’s no way to know if the Saints were as good as they looked on this night, nor the Bucs this bad.  I do know that the Saints offense that just got by previously, is a handful with everyone healthy.  If the team stays healthy, they can go a long way. But you know the old saying,  "He who laughs after the Super Bowl, laughs best."

But at the halfway point of a strange NFL season, know this:  That was a near-perfect vanquishing. 
It was so much fun to watch.

It was more fun than getting tickled by Olivia Newton-John
It was more fun than eating Trix and not being a kid.
It was more fun than dinner with Tina Fey.
It was more fun than turning it up to 11.
It was more fun than a printer that actually prints.
It was more fun than the electric slide.
It was more fun than taking the cannoli.
It was more fun than lip syncing “Eve of Destruction.”
It was more fun than licking you fingers during a roast beef po-boy.
It was more fun than Dan Aykroyd as Julia Child.
It was more fun than a barrel of The Monkees.
It was more fun than a yo-yo.
It was more fun than Kurt Russell slapping Billy Bob Thorton.
It was more fun than a Hanson’s Sno-ball.
It was more fun than Abraxus.
It was more fun than Kelly Clarkson covering your favorite song.
It was more fun than “Bringing Up Baby.”
It was more fun than getting Final Jeopardy.
                During the Tournament of Champions.
                When everyone misses it.
                And you just knew that Alex knew you’d gotten it.