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1. WHAT TOOK SO LONG?

The Who Dat Nation was right. Saints tailback Chris Ivory should've been on the field a long time ago. After toiling on the bench for the first seven games of the season, the third-year tailback had his second straight breakout performance Sunday - including a sensational 56-yard touchdown run. He beat two guys with his speed, another with a sharp cut and a third guy with a stiff-arm while sending the Mercedes-Benz Superdome crowd into a frenzy.

And those fans deserved it, because a great number of them had been clamoring for Ivory to get on the field weeks before the Saints finally gave him his shot. And, hey, I'll admit that I didn't take up the "Free Ivory" cause, either. I always agreed that Ivory deserved an opportunity, especially since the run game had been so inadequate. But I never truly believed that he would be able to light such a spark. I figured he would struggle to find holes the same way that Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles had.

In truth, Ivory did benefit from coming along at the right time. Saints run game coordinator Aaron Kromer has done an excellent job of designing more effective runs to get all of his tailbacks into more open spaces. And Ingram has also had his two best games of the season these past two weeks. But there is no denying that Ivory brings a special kind of burst that helped set the tone in each of the Saints' past two victories.

2. WHITE STEPS UP

The coaching staff does deserve credit for its patience with rookie cornerback Corey White, however, despite some of those same outcries from the fan base to sit him after his early struggles. White had his best performance with an outstanding over-the-shoulder interception on a deep ball in the third quarter and two other nice pass break-ups. Starting cornerback Patrick Robinson also had a much steadier performance than usual Sunday. If those guys can continue to improve, the defense will be in much better shape down the stretch.

3. OVERCOMING BAD START

The Saints were down 10-0 early Sunday, thanks in part to an interception by quarterback Drew Brees on their first offensive play. But they obviously didn't get themselves too worked up about it, since they came back for a 14-10 lead less than two minutes into the second quarter.

That's been a trend for the Saints in recent weeks - for better and for worse. They were also down 14-0 and 21-7 in their Week 7 victory at Tampa Bay before taking a 28-21 lead before halftime. They were down 7-0 and 24-14 in Week 5 against San Diego before coming back to win 31-24. And they were down 21-7 in Week 4 at Green Bay before taking a 27-21 lead that they ultimately lost.

Read more: Chris Ivory proves fans right: 10 more observations from New Orleans Saints victory - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

Cruize

Ivory is a difference maker. Hope White is healthy. Should have an extra week to get well.

Seer1

I'm thinking his resting on the bench was a good thing. Maybe it'll be much later in this season before he gets chewed up this year. Damn is he fun to watch or what?

Utah_Saint

Loved the quote from Vitt before the game

"An undefeated divisional opponent in OUR house! These are the weeks you live for, these are the weeks you will never forget." - Vitt

And Lofton's after the game.

"The team that was out on the field today was the reason why I came to the Saints," - Lofton

halloween 65

White looks like the bulb come on, excellent play from him, Robinson looked good also., but to me Harpers cover skills looked real good, Greer kind of had a bad game but made up in the end, Jenkins, lost as always I wish we could get a FS, pleaSE. Oh yea, Ivory is da man!!

TheOak

1&2 purely coaching issues... Ivory should have been in from the start and the D-backs should have been playing the ball from the start.

|Mitch|

It looks like the secondary is finally getting comfortable playing the zone coverage and the defensive line is starting to get front 4 pressure to help them out.

and who knew that Ivory playing would make Ingram that much better... I wonder what happens when/if Sproles comes back this year.

73Saint

This is all because Kromer is focused on the o line and run game. Again, eff you Goodell, your over zealous punishments on the Saints continue to show themselves.

TheOak

Its the effect of Vitt being back.. Not a direct effect but tertiary... Collateral improvements.

mutineer10

Ivory's run yesterday was a thing of beauty.

Whatever the circumstances, told-you-so's, etc. about why he hasn't been on the field before, It's good to see him on the field now.