It’s almost safe to say that the New Orleans Saints are back. They beat the Philadelphia Eagles 28-13, Drew Brees extended his record to 51 straight games with a touchdown pass and the defenses sacked Michael Vick seven times! Overall, it seemed like the Saints are doing what they do best, winning games and having fun. Although, there are still a lot of problems that they have to fix if they don’t want to go down in the record book for the wrong reason.
The Eagles put up 447 yards on the Saints. They are the eight consecutive team to finish with more than 400 yards making it the longest streak since at least the 1950s. If the Saints keep this up, they will break the record for most yards allowed in a season. Not a record they want to go down with after everything they’ve had to endure this season. But they still managed to get the win and the defense has a lot to do with it. The Eagles were in the red zone four times and only managed to get two field goals. I’m sure that speaks a lot more of the Eagles offense, that has lately been in hot water, but you can’t discredit the Saints defense.
Even after a win and after getting as close to normal as they have this season, controversy seems to loom over the Saints. Reports have come out that suspended Saints coach Sean Payton could possible be a free agent at the end of this season. What does this mean? It means that there is a slight chance that Payton will not be the head coach of the Saints after his suspension is over. I’m 90% sure that anybody with the slightest knowledge of football knows that the Saints will give up an arm and a leg to keep him in the Saints. Drew Brees wants him back and in NOLA what Brees wants, Brees gets. Unless the league steps in and block Payton from ever becoming the Saints coach again, I don’t see any other possibility that he’ll leave New Orleans. I know that if he does go on the market a lot of teams will go after him. He’s an amazing coach and leader and knows how to work with what he has, but money won’t matter for him. You can mark my word, Sean Payton will take a lower salary in the Saints than a higher salary in another team.
The Saints host the 8-0 Atlanta Falcons this Sunday in what is sure to be a make it or break it game for New Orleans. The Saints cannot give up 400 yards and expect to win this game. The defense has to step up and stop Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense and Drew Brees has to do what Drew Brees does best, score, score, and score.
