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Breaking down the New Orleans Saints' remaining schedule

By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune

October 11, 2009, 8:00AM

The New Orleans Saints won't have the luxury of easing back into the season after their bye week, with a showdown looming against the New York Giants next Sunday at the Superdome.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees says his team's now knows the formula to preparing for big games.But Drew Brees, for one, said he wouldn't have it any other way.

"When you have a team that knows the formula and becomes comfortable preparing for big games, then that just helps you down the road in the long run, " the Saints' quarterback said. "Because they only get bigger, especially as you get into the playoffs and beyond."

Next week's game will be as big as it gets -- in mid-October, anyway.
Chances are, both teams will go into the game with unblemished records. New Orleans (4-0) has a bye this week. New York (4-0) might as well have one, with the woeful Oakland Raiders traveling cross-country to visit the Meadowlands this afternoon.

It will be a compelling test for the Saints, who won't find many weaknesses in the Giants. Then after that, the Saints still have 11 more tests remaining. Here's how the rest of their schedule breaks down:

Sunday, Oct. 25, at Miami
The Dolphins have struggled this season and lost veteran quarterback Chad Pennington to a shoulder injury. But they still have a formidable defense and tricky Wildcat offense. And this road trip looms as one of those "trap games, " sandwiched between two higher profile showdowns.

Monday, Nov. 2, vs. Atlanta
This game will be even more important than the Giants game, and the atmosphere should be even more intense on the national Monday Night stage. It looks like the NFC South is shaping up as a two-team race between the Saints and Falcons, so New Orleans can't afford to lose the home date. So far the Falcons are proving last season's Cinderella run was no fluke.

Sunday, Nov. 8, vs. Carolina
It's too early to count out the Panthers, despite their surprising 0-3 start. They are traditionally the most physical team in the NFC South, and they've always been the most difficult matchup for the Saints. They still have dangerous offensive weapons in running back DeAngelo Williams and wide receiver Steve Smith, but they need quarterback Jake Delhomme to get back on track.

Sunday, Nov. 15, at St. Louis
It would be rude to call this an easy game for the Saints, so let's call it a "must-win" game instead. The 0-4 Rams have been woeful this season. Even if they turn things around, the Saints can't afford to let up in this one. . . . By the way, the Saints can thank their last-place finish in 2008 for this matchup. Atlanta, meanwhile, has to travel to San Francisco in Week 5.

Sunday, Nov. 22, at Tampa Bay
This is even more of a must-win since it comes against a division opponent. The Buccaneers look like an expansion team right now, having started over with a new coach, new general manager and revamped roster. They've already fired their offensive coordinator and switched quarterbacks the past two months. Don't expect a dramatic turnaround in the next six weeks.

Monday, Nov. 30, vs. New England
This will be the ultimate measuring stick for the Saints, who should be sitting at 8-2 or better. The national spotlight will be downright blinding by the time they host the Patriots on Monday night. And by then, quarterback Tom Brady should be fully back in his groove. It will be a test of the Saints' football acumen, and their ability to handle those "big games" that Brees talked about.

Sunday, Dec. 6, at Washington
Tucked between the Patriots' visit and a critical trip to Atlanta, the Saints will head to Washington on a short week to face a physical opponent that has manhandled them twice in the past three years. The Redskins have struggled badly, but the Saints can't count this game as a freebie.

Sunday, Dec. 13, at Atlanta
It will be interesting to see how the Falcons hold up the next two months, with a difficult stretch that includes San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, the Saints, Washington, Carolina, the Giants, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia. Ideally, New Orleans will have a cushion in the NFC South standings by then, but don't expect Atlanta to fade away. Second-year quarterback Matt Ryan has remained steady, and he has an extra weapon at his disposal this year in veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Saturday, Dec. 19, vs. Dallas
The Cowboys and quarterback Tony Romo have struggled more than expected early this season, but there's nothing easy about this matchup. Dallas can run the ball, throw the ball deep and bring pressure on defense. And the Cowboys might be fighting for their playoff lives at this point.

Sunday, Dec. 27, vs. Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers might be auditioning rookie quarterback Josh Freeman by this point. The Saints might be trying to secure the division title.

Sunday, Jan. 3, at Carolina
The Saints would love to have their playoff seed locked up by the time they travel to Carolina, because the Panthers will be feisty opponents, even if they're just trying to play spoilers in the regular-season finale.

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