Good Point/Bad Point
 

I entered my top ten points about the game but there were still plenty more that keep coming to mind. Since it was one that could have gone either way, what about adding a collection of good pt/bad pts of the game. I thought these 2 were perfect offsets-

Bad- not calling timeout or fast challenge to the Keyshawn catch before the first TD. It was incredibly obvious the Panthers knew it was questionable. Could have been a difference maker.

Good- Brees seeing the Panthers not ready and 12 men on the field to get the play off quickly for deuce to score. That was just as heady as Jake getting the play off quickly as the play mentioned.

More good/bads?

I don't think people need to keep harping on the Keyshawn thing.....because the Saints had a BS pass-interference call go in their favor in the 4th qtr that kept the game alive. Call it even-steven.

The reason the Saints lost was because (a) Carolina is still the team that went to the NFC title game last year, despite an 0-2 start, and (b) continuing to settle for FG opportunities than scoring TDs. For the first time in as long as I can remember though, I was proud of the Saints after a loss. They lost to a team that played slightly better football, plain and simple, and I fully expect them to bounce back and defeat Tampa Bay. Are the Panthers better than the Saints? I don't think they are. Were they better yesterday? Slightly. Everyone should just take a deep breath and see what happens next week in the dome before trying to overanalyze and scrutinize things.

I commented on the officiating crew elsewhere. I think it was poor overall, both ways. Another was the Peppers roughing the passer. I think we got one there that was BS.

Who knows where we will end up. Parity is so close now that it is truly "any given Sunday" every week. The Bucs and Bears won divisions last year after being top 5 draft pickers the previous spring. Stranger things have happened but I dunno if any would be such a feel good story than if the Saints made their best run in history after the multi faceted disaster of last year.

T'was a good loss if there is such a thing.

Me, too. And I think most fans are taking this loss well, too, so I'm proud of the fans! Still looking forward to next week's game as much as I did this one without that "ohmygodherewegoagainwe'redoomed" feeling.

Re: Good Point/Bad Point
 

Call two challenges in a row, and use up both of your available challenges, over a couple plays that really were destined to happen anyway? The Panthers were going to score on that drive, you just have to deal with it and spend the rest of the game trying to overcome that, not find ways to complain about "difference makers" that really wouldn't have made any difference anyway. We tried to challenge on the play before, and lost. They came right back down next play and got another first down. Pretty obvious they weren't going to be stopped on the drive by a petty incomplete pass.

RE: Re: Good Point/Bad Point
 

Bad-Carney misses a 43 yarder

Good-they never gave in

Bad-D wasn't focus enough to get Foster outta bounds on that run before he got 1st and a TD

Good-O-line has proved themselves again, going against a perfect D-line and only allowing one sack in their homefield

I come from the free will philosophy of football that your outcome is not preordained but rather the result of your decisions and performance.

In this instance I disagree strongly. It was 3rd and 10 on the 24 yard line. If the challenge takes away the completion, then it is 4th and 10. Then a 41yd FG could be made but is not a chip shot-sure thing either. Even if it is made, then not one thing else is different the rest of the game, then the two point conversion gets us to a tie with less than two minutes left. That is a significant difference IMO.

I don't say the outcome of the game hinged on that one play but it certainly was not just a a PS-
It was two plays before and the play WAS REVERSED by the challenge. As per the play log-
J.Delhomme pass deep left to S.Smith ran ob at NO 2 for 22 yards. Play Challenged by NO and REVERSED. J.Delhomme pass incomplete deep left to S.Smith.

I suppose it could be a "lost" challenge if was indeed destiny and not play that determines the end result. They could keep Sister Sarah the Seer from Magazine St. in the booth on hand to give advice on such things I suppose.

Good - Agree that team did not let the score get into their head.

Bad - Red Zone production was very very poor. If we turn more possessions into touchtowns it takes so much pressure off the D late in the game.

good points boobird-

This team is showing much resiliency. The big blow at the beginning of the GB game then coming back and the never say die almost comeback in the last game are two types of game strength I cannot remember much of in some time.

If the redzone efficiency can be turned up, just turn some of the FGs to TDs and you are talking the kinda firepower we looked forward to this year.