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After the Saints dropped their final three games of the regular season, some people thought that New Orleans was primed for an early playoff exit. Then they crushed the Arizona Cardinals last weekend, 45-14.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees joined WWL in New Orleans with Bobby Hebert and Deke to talk about their upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings, the advantage of playing at home, what Brees learned from his first NFC Championship game, and what it would mean to bring a championship to the city of New Orleans.

On the crowd's effect on the game last week:
It was big. So much of the game, especially in the playoffs, is based on momentum. Obviously, playing at home you hope that becomes an advantage for you in regards to the crowd, and everybody getting involved, and getting loud, and what have you. Certainly, when they went down and scored on the first play, it was our job offensively to come back, be able to put together a drive and put points on the board. We did that, we responded, tied it up and obviously we were able to put together a few touchdowns in a row after that and really got the momentum swinging to our side.

On the meeting last year between the Saints and Vikings:
That was a crazy game all the way around. Obviously, the two good things that happened for us were the two punt returns for touchdowns. But there were a lot of other things that happened that kind of worked against us.

We had a field goal blocked and run back for a touchdown by them. They then had a sack fumble that they ended up getting on our five yard line, and then a couple of other turnovers along the way, too. It was kind of one of those weird games, and I think the turnovers obviously ended up being a huge part of that, a huge factor in that, and the reason we lost.

Just kind of makes you more aware of this team's philosophy that we're going against, defensively. It's to make plays, rally to the ball with great team speed, which is what they have on defense, and try and get the ball out. So we really have to focus on that.

On trying to run the ball more and more:
It's always a game plan and how you match up and what kind of statement you're trying to make early on. Also kind of see how they play you.

For different teams, we go in with a different thought process or philosophy. In the end, we want to be able do both. We want to be able to do both effectively and we feel like we're good enough to do both effectively.

On three of his offensive linemen making the Pro Bowl:
That's awesome. They are so deserving and they've played at such a high level for a long time and done it together. I couldn't be happier for them. That's the first thing that I wanted to know when the Pro Bowl balloting came out, was if any of our offensive linemen made it, because they certainly deserve it.

On what they learned from the Saints' loss against Chicago in the NFC championship game after the 2006 season:
I think we learned a lot from playing in that first NFC championship game. For a lot of us, that was our first one. It was my first one. Going on the road at Chicago, they were the one seed, we were the two seed, and it was all kind of uncharted territory for us.

Dealing with the media and dealing with all the hoopla for the week, it could be distracting, so it was just kind of one of those things that you had to bear with it, but also find a way to stay focused and that kind of thing.

This time around we kind of knew what to expect. Also, having the game at home, you don't have to take into account the travel time and being cooped up in the hotel while you're there and everything else. I feel like we have a great plan in place in regards to how we're handling this week with our preparation, our practice schedule, and handling the media and all that stuff. I think it's the plan that gives us the best chance to be successful.

On the great season that New Orleans has had this year:
It's not time to look back and reflect quite yet. We still have a lot of work to do. In the end, we want to bring home the big prize to the city of New Orleans. The people here deserve it and certainly we want nothing more than to do that for them, to bring them a championship. This has been a season of firsts all the way around, from the undefeated streak that we had going, to getting the one seed, to hosting a divisional playoff game, to now hosting an NFC championship game, and hopefully, there are a lot more good times ahead.

Listen to Drew Brees on WWL in New Orleans with Bobby Hebert and Deke

Brees: 'We have a great plan in place' - Sports Radio Interviews - NFL - Sporting News

SaintPauly

It's not time to look back and reflect quite yet. We still have a lot of work to do.

Please everyone. Read this quote, over, and over again, until you start breathing normally again. I'm not saying be negative, but be reallistic. We have a tough game coming up on Sunday. This is NOT going to be a given, it's going to be hard work.

I don't want a championship because the world thinks we DESERVE it, I'd rather we earn it. And till we win the next two games, we haven't EARNED anything. Let's just all come back to earth a little bit here.

What's popular is not always right, and what's right is not always popular.....

UK_WhoDat

Never a doubt Brees would have a plan. But when he says we have a GREAT plan, then I can't wait for the game to see how we execute it.

saintsfan1976

Minnesota has "been there before" too. I hope the Domefield is the difference.

AsylumGuido

Actually,they haven't. At least not these Vikings. They haven't been to an NFC Championship game in 10 years. That was a whole different team.

Dasidreidia

QBrees, I can't look at any of your threads without pausing to take a long look at your avatar...

That being said, great article

UK_WhoDat

And that, Sir, is the pointA bit of a Gem..... er, I would say.