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CHICAGO (AP) — The exorcism is nearly complete.

Spooked as the New Orleans Saints were — top to bottom — at this time a year ago, ‘‘Bountygate’’ seems like little more than a bad dream now.

After a businesslike 26-18 victory over Chicago on Sunday, New Orleans is at 5-0, instead of last season’s 1-4 start, and still among the fast-thinning ranks of unbeatens in the NFL. Drew Brees is off to another scintillating start, Sean Payton is back in charge, and if reuniting one of the best quarterback-coach duos in the league wasn’t intimidating enough, well, the Saints are suddenly boasting a top-five defense to boot.

Most of the credit for that last development belongs to Rob Ryan, the son of bona fide defensive genius Buddy Ryan, and the less-well-groomed twin brother of Jets coach Rex. Rob Ryan was calling the shots for Dallas’ defense last season, and the emergence of Cameron Jordan and Junior Gallette along the Saints’ defensive front, along with rookie Kenny Vaccaro in the secondary, made his move to New Orleans look downright prescient.

But there’s no doubt up and down the roster who has made the biggest difference in the Saints’ fortunes this time around — even if Payton’s players find it hard to say exactly why.

‘‘Coach understands the temperature of this team, when to turn it up and when to dial it down,’’ veteran corner Jabari Greer said.

‘‘Last year,’’ Brees said, ‘‘everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. ... It hasn’t been perfect, but ...’’

‘‘I can’t quite put my finger on it, either. But if I had to guess, I'd say Coach Payton’s attention to detail is,’’ and here tackle Charles Brown paused to find the right word, ‘‘contagious.’’
Read full: Column: Saints' exorcism of 'Bountygate' complete - Football - Boston.com

Seer1

Not until smilin' rog passes Sean the trophy!

SmashMouth

Exactomundo .... Nineteen and Eaux too!

hagan714

i still want our picks back.

xan

I don't know about 19-0, but I will take winning the last 4 games of the season.

saintsfan1976

homerj07

A good win in a hard place to win. A good game against an opportunistic D that didn't get a TO for the first time in awhile.

Rugby Saint II

Godhell will act like he is Paytons best friend when he hands him that trophy again. He's going to hug him and smile the whole time like they couldn't get along without each other.
I hope Payton ignores him or better yet says thanks for the motivation.

Right after he gets back to his hotel room is when he will start a new plan to wreck the Saints.

Jack Vegas

I'm glad they're over it but I'm still mighty pissed.

Barry from MS

Nope...not yet. Unfinished business is only in its beginning stage.