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Four observations from watching the New Orleans Saints clinch the NFC South title with a 45-16 home win over Atlanta Falcons:

Drew Brees has broken Dan Marino’s record, but did it leave more of a mark on the Falcons? When the Saints were up 22 points with 5:08 to go and started a drive at the Falcons’ 33, they did the math and let Brees throw for 32 yards on the final drive to help him pass Marino for the most passing yards in a single season (Brees is now at 5,087). It will be interesting to see how that memory sticks with Atlanta’s defensive players, who were roughed up by New Orleans in a rare blowout during the teams’ recent rivalry. There’s a decent chance the Saints will host their division foes again in the Superdome in less than two weeks. It’s tough enough to sweep a season series from a challenging, familiar opponent, let alone win for a third time when the stakes are highest. So as good as Brees was on Monday (23-for-39, 307 yards, 4 TDs), he’ll be the first to acknowledge his play must improve in the postseason. The Saints still have a shot at the No. 2 seed (if they beat Carolina and the 49ers stumble at St. Louis). Sunday’s game against the Panthers it will be a good playoff tuneup for Brees to duel Panthers dynamic rookie Cam Newton.



Read more: What We Learned: Will late passing push haunt Saints in potential rematch? - NFL - Sporting News

Danno

If Atlanta needs extra motivation for a playoff game against the Saints, they're as pathetic as many have claimed all along.

alleycat_126

Ironically thing is they made that major moves this offseason to try and be more like us, and beat the Packers. With all the movement and bulls@#$ jirations at the line they look like the Colts, and still did neither!!!

iceshack149

I'm reading reports from Dunta Robinson saying that he "won't forget" what happened last night, alluding to playing the Saints in the playoffs and really playing hard.
DeCoud said that he can't wait to play the Saints again.

After another one-sided drubbing for all the world to see on Monday Night Football by the Saints, these guys want to go through that again?

papz

So what Dunta is essentially saying was that they weren't playing hard? No wonder why they got demolished. Bring your A game every week son.

Halo

Seriously, if you're Atlanta, do you really want to play the Saints again?

Look they're trying to make up any storyline to motivate themselves to win in the playoffs. Hate to say it but if they played N.O. 10 times this season I'd take the Saints every time.

JoanieNTX

Seriously???? If old Ice boy were just a few yards away from breaking Marino's record, do you really think that Smith wouldn't go for it? Be real, people! I don't call that running a score up. That's ridiculous!

halloween 65

Their pi$$ed they are going to be on the highlight reels time, after time ,after time, not to mention 50 million people watching in prime time. The only thing I would worry about is that they may to try to hurt Brees. I think their coach understood what Payton wanted to do, he would have done it to, but their players feel like the goats, but they had their chances to stop it from the opening kickoff and didn't.

UK_WhoDat

So what are McCLoud and Dohnta going to do about? CHase down Brees or what? I say - bring ot on. You guys overplay at your peril.

ScottF

Does anyone think that Payton DIDN'T consider how pissed the Falcons would be?

National audience, big home crowd, hated rival. Payton knew and didn't care.

after the 4th and short last game, Smith is passing in short yardage situations and kicking FGs instead going for it. This is another way to get into his head