This is a fallacy. Each game of the season is a mini episode onto itself. The performance (good or bad) in one game does not readily translate into equal performance in the subsequent game or games?

How many times this season has a team that had been crowned fallen (Seattle, Cinncinatti)? Or a team that has left for dead all of a sudden become a top contender again (Green Bay, New England)?

I went to the Atlanta game the first game of the season. After that game one would have thought that the Lombardi had been graced upon the 'Clowns and that the Saints season was over. It's 5 weeks later and take a look at the standings.

There's a reason most atheletes and coaches stick to the "one game at a time" mantra. An NFL season really isn't a 16 game season over 17 weeks. It's 16 one week seasons, each unique and special.

Here's the simple fact: The Saints win Sunday and the Panther's take another loss (against a very tough opponent on the road) and the Saints will be up 0.5 games in the loss column.

It's not going to be that if we spank the Lions, we will instantly have another LombardiGras. Or if we make mistakes that the season is lost.

However, right at this moment the Lions game is the most important game of the Saints season. Why? Because it's the next game.

SFIAH