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The New Orleans Saints are better than the Green Bay Packers. That wasn’t true on Sept. 8, and it might not be true on Jan. 22, when they would, theoretically, meet in the NFC championship game. But I’m pretty sure it’s true right now.

I’m sure because I just watched the Saints tear the Atlanta Falcons to pieces Monday night, 45-16, to clinch the NFC South title. But that wasn’t the best story, and neither was Drew Brees throwing for his 5,087th yard to break Dan Marino’s single-season passing record. Those were both nice sidebars, but they were inevitable sidebars, and inevitable isn’t interesting.

What’s interesting is the playoffs and the possibility that the best team in the NFC at the moment might not be Green Bay, which is 14-1, already has home-field advantage wrapped up and owns a 42-34 victory over these same Saints in the first game of this season.

The Packers are the defending Super Bowl champions, flirted with perfection deep into December and have done nothing at all to indicate that they’re sliding. But if you stripped away the records and simply watched how the teams are playing now, well, the Packers haven’t looked as good as the Saints since probably Thanksgiving Day.

In that span of a month, the Packers had to come from behind in the fourth quarter to beat the Giants, blew out Oakland at home, lost to Kansas City and gave up 441 yards Sunday in a 35-21 victory over the Chicago Bears. The Saints? They blew out the Giants, Detroit and Minnesota and won at Tennessee — a far tougher schedule — before smacking yet another playoff team in the Falcons.

“I think this is our best December since this group has been together,” Saints offensive tackle Zach Strief said. “This is the kind of football you want to play right now. If you’re going to peak, this is the time you want to peak. That’s exciting for us.

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New Orleans Saints outplaying the Green Bay Packers - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN

foreverfan

Well it's about time. Perfect time of the year to peak if you ask me.

CharityMike

If your going to Peak, please go do it in your bedroom.

halloween 65

I surly hope it plays out that way, I really want another crack at the Packers. I think Detroit will knock the Packers out first.

homerj07

Its the right time to be playing our best football of the seaosn!!

pumpkindriver

Actually thinking about the way the seeding now stands, if the NYgnats can beat the sowboys and make it in as the 4th seed and both of us win the wildcard round, I like NY's chances of taking down the puckers. Then we get NY again in the dome.

Michigan_SF

It would be great to have the NFCCG at home. But Det hasn't beat GB on the road in 20 years.

MatthewT

Green Bay is pretty much in the same situation as the Saints were back in 2009. They have it all wrapped up, and I guarantee you their intensity will pick up big time once the playoffs start. Yes, the Saints are playing better right now, but that for the most part is dog crap. Once the playoffs start, the Packers will be on their A game. As much as I love the Saints, they have limited ability in Lambeau, of course if they get there. The Saints have a long mountain to cross before that can happen.

WHO_DAT_CAT

I agree with you about the Saints in Lambeau. That is where the agreement ends. What are you talking about the Saints playing better being "dog crap"!?!?!

Did you just see an 92 yard kick-off return from Sproles? Did you just see Shanle and Jenkins steal the ball from the Falcons and take it to the house?

Did you just see MN almost take out GB and KC actually do it?

Furthermore, call it naive optimism, but I suspect the Saints can match GB in "intensity" level. Did you see the love in the locker room after the game? If the Saints are going to get back to the SB anytime soon, this is the year, and I suspect everyone in that locker room knows it.

How come you don't?

SmashMouth

We weren't asking you.... But we agree wholehartedly nevertheless!