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METAIRIE — Cam Jordan had a question for anyone surprised to see the New Orleans Saints back at .500 and in the hunt again for a playoff spot.

"Why are you astounded?" the Saints' second-year defensive end began. "We have the quarterback that we have. We have the key defensive players that we have. (It was) sort of disappointing to start off the way that we did, of course. Everybody expected a lot better of us and we expected a lot better of ourselves. Now that we're back at .500, we're trying to put this thing back on the right track and keep it rolling."

After an 0-4 start, New Orleans has won five of six games to get back to 5-5, one game behind three 6-4 teams — Seattle, Minnesota and Tampa Bay — currently tied for the last NFC wild-card spot.

"Maybe to the outside (New Orleans' turnaround) was shocking because it was such a slow start. But there was never a doubt in anybody's mind that it could happen inside this locker room," center Brian de la Puente said. "There was never a doubt in anybody's mind that we could get back to .500 and continue this winning because this organization, this coaching staff, this team — we have a winning tradition that they've set here."

The offseason bounty scandal and resulting season-long suspension of head coach Sean Payton provided the Saints with an excuse for an off year, but the club seems to have adjusted.

Read more: Saints brace for tough stretch | HoumaToday.com

TheEnigma

If only we hadn't let that horrible Kansas City team beat us. We would also be 6-4.

D_it_up

There is a whole lot of "woulda, coulda, shoulda" with this Saints team this year. People can put the blame solely on Hartley's shoulders, or the defense, or the dropped passes from receivers, or the horrible run-blocking and running game, or the play-calling, or even Drew Brees' interceptions. However, it was a total team effort on their part to stink up the field the first four games of the season. It has taken a total team effort to dig themselves out of a hole just to reach .500. It is going to take a total team effort to scratch and claw their way back to the playoffs on this tough stretch. At the risk of sounding cliche', it's one for all and all for one with these guys. It has been a rough ride, but I'm going to enjoy watching this TEAM EFFORT through Week 17 and hopefully beyond.

People shouldn't be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.

jeanpierre

In reality, we'll have to run the table to not only make the playoffs, but to set the table for post season success...

That said, it's a one game approach, week-by-week kind of thing and right now, all I want, is some serious pay back and for the Saints to send the 49ers a msg for the post season...

OldMaid

D it up is right.

Add ,the Saints schedule of what is left is really tough.

Atlfalcons should win the rest of their season, minus their Saints' game of course, but their end of season is really easy.
I had said AF left themselves open , exposed after the Saints whooped them, but still, AF remaning schedule is easy.

Saints remaining schedule is hard.

Saints AS A TEAM can do it. They can handle it. It is workable, but tough.

Mardigras9

Atlanta isn't even a thought now. We are in a battle for the wildcard, let's go Skins on Thurs.

QBREES9

How in the Hell dod that happen. Move on.

Rugby Saint II

I have high hopes but not much anticipation for us to make the play offs.