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New Orleans Saints know the final three games will be difficult
By Ted Lewis, The Times-Picayune

For the New Orleans Saints, the expectation level has come to this: They're 13-0, coming off an exciting road victory against their oldest rival, with the Dallas Cowboys coming to town Saturday night, and one of Monday's headlines reads: "Another tough day at the office for New Orleans."

But to Saints quarterback Drew Brees, they're all tough days at the office -- or at least they're supposed to be.
"Despite what the odds might say, every game is a huge game," Brees said Monday, the day after the Saints' closer-than-expected 26-23 victory at Atlanta. "We may be undefeated, but that means we're getting the absolute best games from everybody we play."
That's even with the reeling Cowboys, Tampa Bay and Carolina (a combined 1-5 in December) standing between the Saints and regular-season perfection.
"They're all a challenge, and they're all going to be close," Brees said. "What's important to me is that when we're given the opportunity to win the game in crunch time, we're doing it. We did it offensively at Washington (in a 33-30 victory in overtime on Dec. 6), and yesterday we did it defensively at Atlanta."
Still, there is concern after New Orleans gave up significant yards and points to previously struggling offenses in back-to-back weeks, and its running game has produced fewer than 100 yards in those two games.
After a big performance by Washington quarterback Jason Campbell, the Falcons' Chris Redman -- subbing for injured Matt Ryan -- passed for 303 yards against the Saints and had a chance to take his team to a tying field goal or a winning touchdown in the final minute until Jonathan Vilma's tackle stopped Jason Snelling a yard short of a first down.
"They've done a good job," New Orleans Coach Sean Payton said of the performances by Campbell and Redman. "You credit the team you've been playing, and you continue to work on cleaning up some of the mistakes. There will be a number of things we can work on with our players when they get back. Right now, our focus is going to shift very quickly to Dallas."
Things could be easier for the Saints' defense if injured starting cornerbacks Jabari Greer (sports hernia) and Tracy Porter (knee sprain) could return Saturday night.
All Payton would say about their availability against the Cowboys was, "We'll see."
In their stead, Payton said, Randall Gay and rookie Malcolm Jenkins will continue to start, with Mike McKenzie and Usama Young in reserve roles.
"We're going to continue to work with those other guys," he said. "We'll get them a lot of reps."
However, those repetitions have more to do with game preparation and correcting mistakes, especially on a short week.
"When you get to this point of the season, often times it's mental," Payton said. "You can set up the drills to help with your message, but you've got to limit the contact. That's the challenge."
The running game is less of concern for New Orleans, chiefly because Mike Bell (knee) is expected back this week after missing the Falcons' game -- and in lieu of trying to pound the ball against the Falcons, the Saints went more to screens and short routes.
That's how Reggie Bush wound up with two touchdown receptions.
"We wanted to slow the rush up," Payton said. "I thought they were getting up the field pretty good, and we caught them on a max blitz on the one to Reggie. He ended up in a lot of space and made a good play. I think we'll continue to look at that to slow down some of the teams that are really trying to change the pocket on Drew."