Saints Sideline Blog

WORKING OVERTIME

Monday, December 7th, 2009      Email Print

DATELINE: Landover,MD/ December 6th, 2009 (Who says Week 13 is unlucky??)
 
They clinched the NFC South and brought home their 12th straight victory ,but for many these weren't the first things you thought of after the Saints redemption in the land of the Redskins. If you weren't one of those Saints fans who turned the TV off in the fourth quarter (be honest?), than you were busy quoting Jack Buck, "I don't believe what I just saw." These Saints are elevating heart rates while raising the bar when it comes to encore performances. Sure they cranked out some comeback classics against Miami, Carolina and St Louis earlier this season, but this cardiac perfomance was their greatest hit so far. New Orleans crawled back from three separate 10 point deficits to deliver a knockout punch which was as cold as the temperatures inside Fed Ex Field. These Saints have all the championship characteristics, they are good and lucky or maybe in this case lucky and good!
 
WInning a game like this gives the Saints the "Team of Destiny" label but Sean Payton isn't buying it. The Saints Head Coach isn't a believer in destiny or luck. Payton subscribes to the theory that in the long run things tend to balance out. Well right now the scales are crashing down in the Saints favor as this team is having everything fall their way. From the missed Redskins' 23 yard field goal from a Washington kicker who was previously perfect from inside 30 yards, to an overtime session when the rules said Payton couldn't challenge a Chris McAlister forced fumble, instead he wisely called a timeout which led the officials to opt for a review. This change of art and masterful strategic ploy led to the Saints winning field goal. Upon further review, this was a game which has personified the Saints season, every bounce has fallen in their favor.You have to be lucky and good!
 
If there was a play that typified the Saints season it was Robert Meachem's 2nd quarter score where he may have a future as a cornerback. Drew Brees is picked off by Kareem Moore but Meachem channels his inner Gregg Williams and instinctively strips the ball from Moore and turns it into a TD. Payton called it a game changer. Will Smith agreed with my suggestion that it was the defensive play of the game. Those kind of plays happen to championship teams.
 
Payton may not believe in Destiny but his quarterback sure does. Drew Brees knows talent and hard work have gotten the Saints to this point but these days also believes in a higher football power.He isn't alone. This locker room is feeling something special is happening here and who could argue?? They are winning games they lost last season and are doing it by finishing strong. Brees speaks for the team in saying maybe its the black and gold's time. After watching this special delivery inside Fed Ex field, I am a firm believer that this Saints season is a weekly sequel that keeps getting better. We can only sit back and watch what the final chapter will have in store.It could be something super!
 
WHO DAT HITS
 
COLD-BLOODED: Who says the Saints can't win in the cold? Well maybe history. This is the first time New Orleans has won a game in sub 40 degree weather since 1995.
 
HART-BREAKER: Sunday's win was vindication for kicker Garrett Hartley. After injuries and a four game suspension have kept him on the sidelines, he bounced back with four field goals including the game winner. Hartley's only miss in a Saints uniform was a difficult 58 yard attempt against the Redskins which sent the game into overtime. By the way, Hartley gives a lot of credit to his success to veteran John Carney.
 
M and M BOYS: After shutting down the Patriots, Malcolm and Mike helped make Jason Campbell look like Dan Marino and that must change down the stretch if this team is going to stay perfect. Malcolm Jenkins looked like a rookie and Mike McKenzie played like he has been out of football for months against a Redskin team which put up 466 total yards against the Saints. No word on whether Jabari Greer will be back against the Falcons, but this team needs him back soon.
 
COMING UP SHORT: There must be something in the Washington Water that brings out the worst in the Saints running game. Mike Bell and Pierre Thomas were stopped numerous times on third/fourth and short. It was reminiscent of Thomas' struggles a year ago which helped give the Skins the victory over the Saints last September.
 
BREES ON LENO: I found out that Drew Brees will be on "The Jay Leno Show" this week. No word on which day, so check you local listings.
 
UNTIL NEXT BLOG,
Mike Nabors
CST

By: Mike Nabors

An Emmy award winning sports reporter who covers a wide variety of events for CST. Primarily, Mike serves as the network's reporter for Saints coverage.

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