D_it_up

...are those people (media and average joes alike) that keep saying that the Saints haven't beaten anyone and they are using this game against the Patriots to see where they truly rank. I'm calling major B.S. It's funny how short some people's memories are when it comes to an NFL season. Let's reminisce a little on the Saints' path to 10-0:

1. Week 2, Saints defeat the Eagles: The Eagles are always in the spotlight as being perennial playoff contenders. The Saints went to Philly and dominated them from the start winning 48-22. The excuses came that Donovan McNabb did not play. Must it be restated that McNabb doesn't play defense? One playoff contender down.

2. Week 4, Saints defeat the Jets: The Jets were coming in as one of the top teams spoken about in the media. They were 3-0, Mark Sanchez was not looking much like a rookie, and their defense was considered Top 5. This game was being hyped as a battle of undefeated teams, but most were choosing the Jets. The Jets defense held up their end of the bargain, but Mark Sanchez was exposed. The Saints won 24-10, largely in part from two defensive scores which proved their defense can play with anyone. Another media playoff contender bit the dust.

3. Week 6, Saints defeat the Giants: Another battle of undefeated teams. The Giants were steamrolling competition coming into their trip to the Dome against the Saints. The Saints were doing the same and coming off of a bye week. The Giants offense and defense were exposed against a great team losing badly, 48-27. Another playoff contender goes down at the hands of the Saints.

4. Week 7, Saints rally to defeat the Dolphins: The media was all over the Dolphins saying that the Saints wouldn't be able to shut down the Wildcat. Well, they did...emphatically. After their slow start, the offense battled back and took the lead to win the game by double-digits, 46-34. Miami was coming off an 11-5 season and winning the AFC East. Another pre-season media playoff darling falls to the Saints.

5. Week 8, Saints rally again to defeat conference rival Falcons on Monday Night Football: The Falcons were preseason picks by many to compete with the Panthers for the NFC North crown. The media loves Matt Ryan and have pretty much adorned him The Next Big Thing at the QB position. The Falcons gave the Saints all they could handle, but once again the Saints prevailed to move to 7-0 on the season by winning 35-27; their first game won by less than double digits. Yet again, another media darling cannot stop the Saints.

6. Week 9, Saints defense stiffens up to rally and hang on to beat Carolina: The Panthers are another perennial preseason media playoff darling. They came in with a purpose early on and scored quickly. However, the Saints showed their resiliency, found their mojo, and came back from behind in their third straight game to win, 30-20.

That is six different scenarios were the Saints beat playoff caliber teams. The other four games were against teams with a combined record of 7-34. The six teams they beat that were on many "experts" preseason picks for the playoffs are a combined 30-30 and still have shots to make the playoffs, though a couple of them are on the bubble. Six teams. That is 60% of their current schedule that many thought would be in the playoffs the Saints have defeated. 10-0 and they still do not get much respect. They have sustained injuries to several key people and still have gone on to defeat everyone that stood in their way. What is going to happen when the Saints beat the Patriots? Will they finally get the respect they deserve for this season or will people still come up with excuses for why a team lost to them?