saintsfan1976

All victories count the same in the standings, but there are a few games each season where the difference between a "win" and "win!" can be so easily distinguished. The New England Patriots have their final chance of the 2009 regular season for the latter variety when they visit the undefeated New Orleans Saints next Monday.

At 7-3, the Patriots are still in search of a signature win, not to mention their first true road win.

This is it.

They are well positioned in the playoff race, and that won't change regardless of what happens Monday night, but the game will more clearly define whether the Patriots are the elite team they have sometimes resembled, or a club that regardless of what happens the rest of the way will head down the homestretch with the following question attached to its resume: Can they win a game they aren't supposed to in a tough environment?

"We need a big win on the road," quarterback Tom Brady said on his regularly scheduled appearance on sports radio WEEI Monday. "We've had three opportunities and we've lost all three. This would be a great one to get."

Four of the Patriots' final six games are on the road -- at New Orleans, Miami, Buffalo and Houston -- but Brady knows that a win over the Saints would be put in a different class than the rest.

Repeating what coach Bill Belichick told players after Sunday's win, Brady called the Saints "probably the best team we've faced so far, right up there with the Colts."

"I don't think there is any better team in football than New Orleans," Belichick said Monday. "They are real good. Indianapolis is pretty good too, leading the league in passing. New Orleans, I would say, is a little more balanced, real good on defense and real good in the kicking game. They have no weaknesses that I can see and they are averaging [36.9] points a game. They beat everybody and they beat a lot of teams pretty soundly."

One key storyline is the health of the Saints' secondary because as one NFL scout said Monday, "If you're going to play the Patriots, you better have enough corners." The Saints have been banged up at cornerback -- starters Tracy Porter (groin) and Jabari Greer (knee) didn't play Sunday against Tampa Bay -- which has led to the signings of veterans Chris McAlister and Mike McKenzie over the last week.

Part of the Patriots' modus operandi is to spread the field, get the ball to their playmakers and exploit the opponents' depth in the secondary. The Saints, equally as explosive themselves on offense, have obviously received the memo.

All signs point to a fast-break up-tempo shootout.

"It's a big challenge coming up this week in New Orleans," Belichick said. "They're good at everything -- special teams, offense, defense -- at the top of the league in just about every statistical category. It's not a team we are very familiar with, so we're really going to have to do our homework."

The assignment will be a tough one, and it will be telling how the Patriots -- with road losses at the Jets, Broncos and Colts -- respond.

"Say you do make it to the playoffs and you don't get home-field advantage, then that's one thing you're going to have to do -- win on the road," cornerback Leigh Bodden said. "So it's definitely important to get that under your belt."

Each season offers up a few chances to post a defining win, and the Patriots had one in their grasp Nov. 15 in Indianapolis.

Here comes another.


New England Patriots have another chance at a signature win against the unbeaten New Orleans Saints - ESPN Boston

G504

I think the Pats are just trying to hype themselves up. I think they've gotten a little comfortable knowing the Jets, Bills, and Dolphins collectively offer real competition for the division title like once every 3 or 4 years. The Pats have finished less than 2nd only once in the last ten years! And they won the division 7 of those other 9 years! I think that's equally their dominance as it is the weakness of the rest of the division. My point is, they're not THAT concerned about beating us. Of course everyone wants to win every game, but I doubt they want it bad enough to risk injury or preview some plays they were saving for the playoffs.

http://www.darrylbercegeay.com/wsmith1.jpg

saintsfan1976

Well, the same could be said about us. What's the difference? The Saints want to be who the Patriots are (or were). Agree that this is a bigger game for NO than NE.

Hagan, you better have your Saints Jersey on all week up there!!!!

G504

Yes, I agree. We're not going to risk (further) injury either for the sake of an undefeated season. And we probably won't rollout any new plays until the playoffs. I know it's just killing Payton You know he has some double-reverse flea-flicker/halfback pass from Bush to Meachem that he's just dying to run But you nailed with your second statement. We don't have all the rings Brady and Belaceck have, so we don't feel like we can relax just yet.

Sir Psycho Sexy

respectfully, but completely disagree. The Pats from the head coach down are an ego organization. They had a chance to stop 3 teams that were undefeated this season and preserve their 16-0 run from 2007. But the Broncos beat them, and then they loss like fools on national tv to of all teams, the Colts. A game they feel they should have won but not for a risking coaching decision.

Denver of course got beat soon after but the Colts are still out there and so are we. They have a shot Monday night to do a few things: 1. Prove they are still the "Pats" and knock off a/the top team in the NFL on the road. 2. Maintain a shot at catching Cin to get a bye week in the playoffs. 3. Help preserve their 2007 historical run.

The Pats want this game bad, so do we. As always it will come down to who executes. WHO-DAT!

"May God have mercy on those who doubted his Saints."

bobad

You're saying that Belichick is only looking at the big picture, but at
7-3, he must also look at the small picture.

There's nothing he needs more than to beat a good team to restore
confidence in his team and coaching abilities. No telling when Miami
goes on a tear and wins 4-5 in a row. He will pull out all the stops to
beat the Saints, you can bank on it.

SmashMouth

Yes .. all good points ....Somehow I have a gut feeling we will have a good account for ourselves, unlike the Rams game.

But it is not the last chance for a signature win. That last signature win occurs on Superbowl day!

Dasidreidia

I disagree. If it comes to 15-0 when we go to Carolina, I think we'll play our asses off to win that game (which I'll be at ).

G504

We can beat Carolina with Brunell. Let the old man get some snaps

Frederick Smith

Any player or Saint's fan that can not get up for this game is an idiot. The Pat's want to rule the world of modern day football. No way are we here in N.O. going to let them come in here and pretend this is a home game for them. I agree with Psycho 125% these guys are ego sensitive and it is time to set an example to the rest of the league. You see the same people on the way up as you see on the way down and this is our time as fans and the players have and will deliver. Win or lose it is not going to be a pleasant experience for this this Pat's team. A little smack talk here but I believe we have the better team all around.