jnormand

The Saints need to turn in a better offensive performance against the Colts to win the game. Only 15 first downs in the last game....not enough to win most games. There were several missed opportunities in the game after the defense forced some turnovers. The offense would go out there and go 3 and out. We have to have a better clock management, have more 3rd down conversions and the defense has to turn in another great performance.

I think I said it a few days ago when a lot of people were concerned about Drew's play in the game. Drew didn't play bad, he just didn't let it fly like he usually does. I really believe Drew was trying to manage the game and didn't want to make mistakes. He didn't want to be the reason the Saints didn't make it to the SB. He didn't take the chances he usually does. Well, that pressure is gone. The NFC Championship is sewn up and Drew will air it out in the SB. I think we will see Drew being Drew in the big game. I don't think that the Colts can get in the way of fate. The Saints will win this game.

Danno

From a match-up standpoint against the Saints... YES the Vikes are tougher.

Tougher doesn't mean better. But the Vikings absolutely dominated us on 3rd and short. We finished 3 of 12 on third down conversion. It was like trying to run through a brick wall. The Colts are not quite as stout along the front as the Vikings are. I don't think we struggle as much on 3rd and short against the Colts.

The Colts are the best team in football, but I stand by my statement that the Vikes were a tougher "match-up" for our personnel.

You guys also don't have the run game that Minnesota does. They averaged 5.8 YPC against us. And I also doubt that we'll be penalized for 88 yards again, with most of those penalties on 3rd down giving the Vikes 1st downs.

We had twice the penalties and twice the penalty yardage we normally have.

TheOak

I will start here:

Shockey need to play the way he did in 1Q against Arizona.
Coleston needs to land with the ball still in his hands.
Reggie needs to Show up.
Everyone needs to play like this is their last game.

To the Colts fan:

On Turnovers: The Vikings came into that game feeling the same way. They were not going to turn it over like everyone else did. I will quote Warren Sapp " The Saints lead in scoring because of their Defense getting turn overs, the VIKINGS will not turn the ball over". WRONG

On QB: You have an epic quarterback. We faced two of near equality in the last two weeks and heard the same (Saints do not stand a chance against Epic Quarterbacks with playoff and SB experience like Warner and Farve) WRONG

At this point stats do not matter. The winner will be the team that shows up and commits the least fatal errors. It is about Smart Football not hard forceful football.

mikesaintfan

the onlything that worries me is PM..we need to drop his arse to the ground like we did to brett...and he doesnt throw those INT's like brett did...PM is the key

iceshack149

The Saints have to keep Manning off the field. I hope that the Saints use a lot of PT. To me, PT is the key to a Saints win.

TheOak

When PM starts to worry you and keep you awake at night just think about BF and KW

Choupique

They need to put Manning's pants on the ground, just like Favre Bean.

Turnovers will be huge again, just like in the Cards and Vikes games.

I'd include special teams as an Xfactor too, but our whole team is special.

:P

braggbro1

LOL. I wonder if the Colts should even bother showing up. After reading this thread, I feel they have no chance.

AsylumGuido

Y'all absolutely have a chance. The talking heads and others not in the know are already totally discounting the Saints. We are simply pointing out that there is much more to the Saints than many understand. The Colts have been able to overcome the media darkness of a small market through their recent success. New Orleans, on the other hand, is still a mystery to many.

Radio Saint

On paper, I can see why oddsmakers would pick the Colts over the Saints. They clearly have the better defense, and their offense is in many respects on par with ours, although we have the better run game. However, if our guys play loose and aggressive, they have a real shot to win the game. It will come down to turnovers. For all of our defense's shortcomings, they do create a lot of turnovers. I know the Colts don't usually turn the ball over, but that was also the case for Favre this season until we forced him into 2 INTs. If we can find a way to create turnovers and don't give the ball up, we will win. PM has been known to throw some picks. We have the ability to run on the Colts, which will open up our play-action passing game. Even though I would never say the Vikings are better than the Colts, our offense probably does match up better with the Colts' defense. They have more team speed than the Vikings, but they don't bring the same wood against the run. Now I know they stopped the Jets' running game, but that was because they could bring their safeties into the box, since the Jets' passing game wasn't much, and because Green got injured. Bring those safeties into the box and see what Drew Brees, as opposed to a rookie QB, does. Also, as odd as it sounds, I also think our D matches up better with the Colts' offense because their run game is not nearly as stout as Minnesota's, and that will make it easier for our defense to keep the game one dimensional. The Colts will score points, but if we play up to our capability, so will we. And if the D takes it away a couple of times, that could be all the edge we need. Geaux Saints!!!!! Who dat!!!!!!!!