biloxi-indian

The three teams stuck in the deepest funks are the same ones that will be featured in this week's Three and Out: St. Louis, Miami and New Orleans. They're the only teams that haven't won a game this season, and it's fair to wonder when they will.

They've continually found ways to blow games (each of the three lost by three points in Week 5) and their schedules don't get any easier over the next few weeks. On top of all that, each squad has been hit by at least one significant injury on offense, which means it will be that much harder to pull out a victory.

So what does this mean? It basically gives me a chance to make some predictions about when these miserable teams will end their losing streaks. Here's what I think:

1. New Orleans
The Saints' 16-13 loss to Carolina in Week 5 seemed to break something in the collective spirit of the Saints. You could see it in the comments they made about their frustration, the way they're grasping for reasons to explain how a team could go from the NFC Championship Game to being in the early running for a top-five pick in next year's draft.

I can't help them with those questions, but I do know this much: These Saints are starting to display the same bumbling mannerisms -- dropped passes, dumb penalties, errant field goals in clutch situations --- of other Saints teams that had no clue how to win.

The thing that is really scary about New Orleans is its defense. Last year the Saints could overcome their deficiencies with their high-powered offense. This season we're seeing what can't be hidden -- a New Orleans defense that is allowing 29.8 points a game and has given up at least 31 points in all but one contest. Until that changes, I'd bet on the Saints beating only the Falcons on Oct. 21. After all, they are playing a first-place schedule.

ESPN - Chadiha: When will the winless finally win? - NFL

Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over, over, and over again...and expecting a different outcome!

TheDeuce

I agree with his point about this team looking like Saints teams of old. Too many ridiculous, "I saw this coming because they're the Saints" mistakes.