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Did the Saints let one get away? Sure. But, let’s check out the big picture.
With no dynamic player at wide receiver or running back, and with much of the same defensive personnel from one year ago, the Saints are 5-1 at the bye.
My advice? Quit playing the “what if” game.
What if Drew Brees had eluded Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones on a naked bootleg on third-and-7 from the Saints 33? Brees would have run for a first down, and Sean Payton would be once again hailed as one of the best play-callers in the game.
What if cornerback Keenan Lewis had not tossed wide receiver Aaron Dobson out of bounds to stop the clock on New England’s game-winning drive? That error kept precious seconds on the clock.
How did cornerback Jabari Greer let wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins get by him and over him on the game-winning touchdown catch?
If … if … if …
Back to reality. The Saints are 5-1 with a chance to grab home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs. And, as we know, home field is big.
In three home games, the Saints have scored 92 points. In three road games, the Saints have scored 69 points.
There are 10 games still to be played. But, there’s one game you should circle on your calendar. That is Monday night, Dec. 2, at Seattle.
In a perfect world, the Saints win there and have the tiebreaker over the Seahawks. The Saints want to make only one trip to Seattle this season. Conversely, the Seahawks want to do everything they can to make sure they do not have to make a trip to New Orleans in the post-season.
In the meantime, I am still trying to figure out how Payton is getting the blame for the loss at New England. With 2:33 to play, and the Saints leading by a point, Payton was aggressive, calling for a pass on third-and-7 at the New England 21. Brees’ throw for Marques Colston fell incomplete.
On the Saints’ final possession, Payton called three running plays and trusted his defense. For the first time this season, his defense couldn’t close the deal.
As you watch the NFL through seven weeks, you can arrive at this conclusion: there are no Super teams. But there are handful that are good enough to win the Super Bowl.
A crushing loss at New England doesn’t change the fact that the Saints are one of those.
Remember where the Saints were a year ago and where they are right now.
Ed Daniels is sports director of ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at [email protected].
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