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The New Orleans Saints ignored the fact the playoffs were out the window when they took the Mercedes-Benz Superdome turf Saturday afternoon, showing maximum effort as they grinded to a 31-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Center Max Unger even asked after the game if the team had been eliminated from contention. I was the bearer of the bad news to him that Washington and Green Bay won to bump the Saints' slimmest of playoff hopes.

The team's performance Saturday might be little consolation for fans of the team frustrated with the progress of the last three seasons.

For those watching at Christmas Eve gatherings across the city, and especially for the loyalist of the loyal attending the 3:25 p.m. flexed kickoff, the Saints played like professionals and beat a team fighting for a playoff berth.



"It wasn't a situation where (they were scoreboard watching)," Coach Sean Payton said. "We've been in those locker rooms where you're paying close attention. I think our focus was on getting this win, honestly."

This I believe to be true.

Even owner Tom Benson crashed the Payton press conference to boast aloud, "Great coach! Great game!" I'll leave his rare presence in a Payton presser up for interpretation. Maybe he just wanted to celebrate Payton's 100th victory.

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darksoul35

They do this a lot at the end of the year. I usually want better draft status but after Brees telling the team he let them down there was no way I wanted a loss.

halloween 65

Their playing for their jobs for next season. I like it much more when they look hungry than when they play like they don't care. Maybe losing to the clowns puts that hunger in the players eyes and in particular Payton. His fire has been lacking for sometimes now. Sometimes losing isn't such a bad thing, but 3 seasons in a row is.

ChrisXVI

Now all there is to focus on is giving the Failclowns one last big L in their last regular season game at the Georgia Dome!

hagan714

really ya think? Drew was off and could not keep pace with what our defense was giving up. yet still made a game of it in most cases. what a brain trust at the TP.

skymike

its Garbage Time.
But I'll still watch.
In the Past, our only great wins were during Garbage Time.

Rugby Saint II

I would like to see Turner or Young get some playing time. Not enough to get Drew hurt in the last game like in San Diego. It would be nice to beat the Failcons to get a three game winning streak going into next season......but it will be tough to keep up with Meg Ryan torching our depleted secondary. If it gets out of control I want to see Anthony at MLB'er and get some film on Young, Turner and and maybe even Lampman.