The Saints will continue to make history in the playoffs as they face the fact that no team has ever lost their final three games of the regular season and won the Super Bowl. Think of this Who Dat Nation, that by the time the Saints take the field once again, it would have been a month since the team has last won a game. That’s a lot of faith in the proverbial “switch” that must now get flipped to play better football.
Sunday’s afternoon game wasn’t pretty. Quarterback Drew Brees, running back Pierre Thomas, tight end Jeremy Shockey, receiver Lance Moore, linebacker Jonathan Vilama, linebacker Scott Shanle, defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, tight end David Thomas, and safety Darren Sharper did not play.
Still, the Saints can’t be happy with what their performance. Carolina scored on just their second play from scrimmage following the opening kick off on what else a run. Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart hit a massive gap as eight Saints were in the box and over pursued, leaving a cut back gap wide open, as Stewart would take it 67 yards for a 7-0 Panthers lead. Stewart finished the day with 125 yards on 16 carries.
Mark Brunell and the Saints offense were ineffective, producing just 213 yards. Brunell was 15 of 29 for 102 yards and an interception. One of the few bright spots on offense was the play of running back Lynell Hamilton, as he rushed for 48 yards on 10 carries and caught three passes for 38 yards.
The Saints offense however committed three turnovers on the day, a pair of fumbles coming from not back ups but from starters, in receiver Robert Meachem and kick returner Courtney Roby. The fumbles could be argued were caused by not matching the Panthers aggressiveness. Carolina hit, ran and simply played harder Sunday. Roby’s fumble came where the broadcast team brought up during replays how Saints players were getting pushed around, while Meachem’s fumble came on solid aggressive swarming play and a lack of focus by the receiver.
I understand the goal Sunday was to get out of Carolina without suffering major or further injuries to players. There is no way however that you can truly feel confident in watching the Saints play right now. Especially not when you watch the Vikings demolish the Giants 44-7, know the Eagles and Cowboys are playing for a division title in the evening game, and have the Packers facing the Cardinals in another game. What I’m saying is, the other five teams that will play in the NFC Playoffs are playing either better or meaningful football as the regular season closes.
The Saints limp into the post season, getting out coached and out played by the Cowboys, losing to a two win team, losing the finale and having slim wins prior to the losing streak.
Saints head coach Sean Payton has a tough task ahead of him. He must get this team playing confidently again. Payton must some how during the bye week regain attitude that helped the team start the season with 13 straight wins, because right now the Saints look anything but a playoff team.
The good news is that players will be back healthier than ever as they‘re given the opportunity to heal up over the bye week, or get back in action. Cornerback Jabari Greer saw some action Sunday at Carolina, his first in seven weeks, recording six tackles on the day.
One thing is certain, a month ago Saints fans felt awfully confident that if their team secured home field, Miami was in the bag. Not so much now, as they’ve seen the Saints lose twice at home, and finish with losing three straight, and not looking very good in while.
Only time will tell if the 2009 season will be looked upon as the greatest ever in Saints franchise history, or quite possibly the most disappointing of them all.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
The Saints will play on the weekend of January 16 and 17th. Next weekend’s games will determine when and what time the Saints play. The Saints and thanks to a win on Sunday, the Vikings enjoy first round byes in the NFC Playoff picture.
The Wild Card round will feature Green Bay at Arizona, and Philly goes right back to Dallas. The Saints will play the team with the lowest seed that survives next weekend. If Philly wins next weekend they will play at New Orleans. If Dallas wins, the Saints will play the winner of the Green Bay and Arizona game.
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