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For weeks, no one associated with the New Orleans Saints wanted to talk about what lies ahead — way ahead — for their team.

And with good reason.

NFL teams that look to the future rather than focusing on what’s at hand usually get what’s coming to them.

And, perhaps more importantly, the more you win, the bigger the bull’s-eye on your back becomes.

Which has been the case with the New Orleans Saints the past three weeks.

Win your first five games of the season in convincing fashion, then reach 8-0 for the first time in the 43-year history of the franchise — becoming one of only two NFL unbeatens left — and you can bet the arrows are going to fly.

Miami, Atlanta and Carolina all took their best shots the past three games, but the Saints managed to survive.

At least they can all say they led the Saints — something none of their first five opponents can say.

Perhaps the worst thing the past three foes did was get an early lead on the Saints.

The Dolphins led by 21, while the Falcons were up by seven on two occasions in the first half.

Then, there were the Panthers, who shocked a raucous Superdome crowd Sunday by bolting to a 14-0 lead barely eight minutes into the game.

That’s where the Saints stood up and proved they’re worthy of being undefeated halfway through the 16-game regular season and worthy of being the Super Bowl contenders many people think they are.

The good teams withstand early salvos like the one the Panthers fired — and the Dolphins and Falcons — then come back with a shot of their own.

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2theadvocate.com | Saints | Mickles: Bull?s-eye on Saints gets bigger — Baton Rouge, LA

Rugby Saint II

The bull's eye is on whoever is the big dog at the time.

QBREES9

And thats is the SAINTS !!!!