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Three years ago in September, we settled into the press box of the Louisiana Superdome for the biggest game in New Orleans Saints history.
The biggest game in Superdome history, really, with the possible exception of the six Super Bowls or college football national championship games, whether in the form of the Sugar Bowl or the BCS title tilt in January 2008, when LSU spanked Ohio State.

In any event, it was a rockin’ night in the Dome. The Saints were playing on their home field for the first time in 13 months, after Hurricane Katrina nearly wiped the building off the planet and became a symbol of human misery, government incompetence and people stepping to the fore to help total strangers, all wrapped into one.

The Saints were playing the Atlanta Falcons, their hated NFC South rival, that night on “Monday Night Football.” They might as well have simultaneously unleashed PETA, the city pound and the Humane Society all on Michael Vick, the disgraced former Falcons quarterback who later copped a plea deal for dogfighting.

The Saints blocked a first-quarter punt and scored in the game’s opening moments, with former defensive back Curtis DeLoach dunking the ball over the crossbar. It was obvious, then, what was going to happen. Bookies who took too much action on the Falcons probably split town and applied for the Witness Protection Program. The Falcons had no chance. The Saints won 23-3, and it might as well have been 103-3.

I remember hitting the streets of the French Quarter that night with former Sun Herald colleague Larry Holder and his buddies from his six or seven years as an LSU undergraduate. I’m not sure if the sun had come up by the time we all got back to our hotels. Didn’t matter. There were still plenty of folks on Bourbon Street. It was waaaay cool.

And it was just a warmup act for what’s going to happen in one week.
The Saints had an amazing season in 2006, reaching the NFC title game for the first time in franchise history. They didn’t get to the Super Bowl, of course, but they had a helluva run, losing in the bitter cold of Chicago’s Soldier Field. Sean Payton established himself as an innovative, offensive-minded coach. The Saints finally had their first big-time quarterback, at least the team’s first since Archie Manning, who the late Hank Stram dubbed “a franchise quarterback without a franchise.”

Drew Brees has changed the team’s dynamics since his arrival.

And Brees had yet another big game on Sunday in Tampa, Fla., passing sparingly but effectively for 187 yards and three touchdowns. Running backs Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell got in on the act, too, pounding the ball between the tackles. Zach Strief took over at left tackle and gave the Saints a solid effort. And defensively, the Saints intercepted three more passes and limited Tampa Bay to 290 yards total offense.

Saints 38, Bucs 7.

The Saints have won 10 consecutive games for the first time in club history. They’re one of the NFL’s two unbeaten teams.

And on Monday night, they’ll play host to Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, the closest thing to an NFL dynasty since the Cowboys of the early 90s or Joe Montana’s glory days with the 49ers.

Good luck if you’re trying to land some tickets. Unless, of course, you’re willing to fork over your Christmas bonus. The demand is going to exceed the supply, that’s for sure.

I listened to WWL Radio’s call of the game driving back from Jackson after the Ole Miss-LSU game on Saturday afternoon in Oxford. From time to time, though, I had to switch to Watercolors on XM/Sirius Radio, or maybe the ‘70s station.

It was over at halftime. Maybe before then.

Let the hype begin. The Patriots are coming to town.

Let the Hype Begin, the Patriots Are Coming to Town

Rugby Saint II

Well, Payton has an extra day to spend getting ready for the Patriots....no matter how much they cheat they should still lose this game in the Dome.

hagan714

barn burner written all over this one

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Saintsfan4ever

Let's face it. The New England Patriots are Super Bowl contenders. They're currently one of the leagues top 5 teams and have been for several years. If the Saints lose this game it certainly will not end our hopes and expectations of being apart of the playoffs this season, but if we win it will prove that not only are the Saints a viable candidate to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl but also we can win it. I think what the Saints have to prove here out weighs what the Patriots have to maintain.
November 30th is my birthday. I can't imagine a better gift than a primetime MNF victory in the Home Sweet Dome!

Saint4

eezeekial

Great post, Im excited.

QBREES9

I can't wait for this game !!!!

Modest

What an educated post.

skymike

welcome to our board.

You're not in SR.com anymore, ok, Toto?

Budsdrinker

I'm thinking he's a troll not from SR.

RealDeal37

LoL, man-O-man... G.W. is outta his mind, but i sure do LOVE it.
He's alway's got some kinda quote or comment each week & it guy's our boy'z fired up... Check this week's out!!! :^P

( Kill'm all & let tha paremetic's sort'm out ) HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

Damnit man, LoL, im so glad we picked him this season. He has without a doubt given this defense a TRUE IDENITY... I would like 2 thank Sean Payton, G.W., Loomis & all other coaches & staff through out the orginization... Last, but certainly NOT least, I would like 2 thank the player's for all the hard work & dedication that they have put into this team. With all said & done, there's only ONE word that truely discribe it... ( FAMILY )

We all as fan's are very proud of yall & could'nt ask 4 more... Keep
it up boy'z, we're start'n 2 see a LiL light at the end of the tunnel!!!

{ GEAUX SAINT'S } #1 ~ 10-0 & NOT look'n back!!! :^P Who dat!!!