saintsfan1976

Um... New Orleans?

The Saints’ breakdown
By mid-December, injuries and pressure were getting to the Saints.

Drew Brees was not playing like Drew Brees. Sean Payton was not coaching like Sean Payton. The defense was hit hard as important players such as Jonathan Vilma, Darren Sharper and Jabari Greer were either out or playing hurt.

New Orleans has all the talent in the world, but the pressure of 16-0 combined with their lack of defensive depth was a perfect storm the Saints could not navigate through.

Hate the Indianapolis Colts all you want, but Coach Jim Caldwell didn't care enough about Weeks 16 or 17 to strut out any QB better than Curtis Painter, virtually guaranteeing two losses.

Meanwhile, Peyton Manning has had a chance to rest -- mentally and physically -- for the playoffs. The Indianapolis defense also has had a chance to get back to something resembling 100%.

New Orleans Saints fans hated my last article. Dreams of 16-0 were dancing down Bourbon Street like a girl gone wild during Mardi Gras. The suggestion that a team would be at its best after a loss (and subsequent rest) was so insulting that many fans took it personally.

At 13-3 it doesn't seem so ludicrous.

The Saints, as it turns out, were in more danger than even this writer previously thought.

The losing plan
The plan was to lose one game -- preferably to a team that wouldn't be so embarrassing (Dallas) -- and then compete only as hard as needed to maintain the No. 1 seed. Thankfully, Minnesota made things even easier in that regard.

The Saints didn't follow that plan. After losing to Dallas (good) the Saints blew a lead and lost to Tampa Bay (really bad) and then got crushed by Carolina (bad). In both games, the team on the field looked tired and uninspired -- a bad combination just before the playoffs.

It can't be said that the No. 1 seed “backed in” to the playoffs, but the Saints didn't exactly charge headlong either.

The goal was to rest starters and let the backups play their little hearts out. The team may pick up an “L” but the “L” doesn't mean anything. Every NFL team (save one in 1972) loses a game somewhere.

Losing three straight is another matter entirely.

Losing Charles Grant and possibly Pierre Thomas in the process is even worse.
The good news going into the playoffs

Here's the good news. The New Orleans Saints should have something resembling a starting defense on the field in its first playoff game. Jabari Greer is back and healthy. Darren Sharper rested his aging knees. Scott Fujita and Jonathan Vilma should both be at nearly full strength.

The offense rested Drew Brees and Reggie Bush, also giving the receivers lighter workloads.

The New Orleans Saints had a better chance to win a Super Bowl at 15-1 than they ever would have at 16-0. The question now is, what about a 13-3 Saints?

The Saints were hit squarely on the chin three straight weeks.

If any of that carries over to the NFC Divisional matchup, the Saints will have a short playoff trip.

TAKE IT PERSONAL

So, New Orleans, since you took the last article so literally, here's another piece of advice. Take those losses personally. It may not have affected your seeding or homefield advantage, but the losses made you look vulnerable in a way the Colts' losses didn't.

Take those losses and use them to remind yourselves that the NFL is a competitive place and not always Drew Brees' personal passing playground (like it was for 13 straight weeks).

Undefeated was a great dream, but now the real goal is in sight. The next few weeks will determine if the Saints have the mental makeup to look past the the last three games and geaux all the way to the Super Bowl.


Are The Saints Done? - AskMen.com

JoanieNTX

This test is where every player's true character shows up. Will you be a help, or a hindrance? Will you propel your team, or will you help "expel" your team?

Belair57

How the hell do you "Back in" to the playoffs with 13 wins?

RealDeal37

READ IT AGAIN...
He DID'NT say they backed in.

strato

Simmer down now...lol

Belair57

Easy killer..Its only stated (IMO) because MANY talking heads have said it.