2009 New Orleans Saints: We Should Have Seen this Coming

If the New Orleans Saints win the NFC Championship against the Minnesota Vikings, it will be far from an underdog story. In fact, it should come as expected.

The Saints have been favored to win every single game this season by Las Vegas odds makers. From Week 8 to Week 11, the Saints were double-digit favorites over the Falcons, Panthers, Rams and Buccaneers.  Sunday, New Orleans is favored by four.

Oh, yeah, there is that whole little thing about them being undefeated through 13 games that can't be discounted either.

Even the national media jumped on the bandwagon throughout the regular season.

"But to see their defense, playing with cornerbacks signed off the street, shut down the Patriots with little trouble made it clear that this is a team without any exploitable flaws. That doesn't mean they won't stumble at some point, but I wouldn't bet your house on it happening before the playoffs".--AOL Fanhouse

"Sitting in the Superdome press box late Monday night, I started wondering what a Drew Brees-Brett Favre NFC title game shootout might really look (and sound) like next month."-- SI.com

"It wouldn't surprise me if the Saints set whatever records there are," said New England Coach Bill Belichick, whose Patriots played New Orleans earlier this season. "I can't think of too many teams -- I can't think of any really -- that are any more explosive than this team is. I've talked about the Rams, I've talked about the Chargers in the early '80s. But these guys can run with anybody."--Los Angeles Times

"Las Vegas makes New Orleans Saints favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV: First-and-10"-- The Times-Picayune

You get the picture.

I will go out on a very sturdy limb and say the Saints were one of the best teams in the NFL, and their resurgence has been remarkable in 2009 following an 8-8 season in 2008.

But to say the Saints are, or have been, underdogs this season only shows how even the most sensible of individuals can get caught up in the hyperbole emitted by national sports television networks, syndicated columnists and afternoon drive radio hosts.

The Saints are not underdogs. I know the whole angle of New Orleans receiving a boost from the franchise after Hurricane Katrina ravaged much of the Gulf Coast in 2005 will be played up to no end. The story of Drew Brees turning down a contract offer from the Miami Dolphins after bolting from the San Diego Chargers to join the Saints will be placed in the hopper of "team of destiny" tales.

As much as we all would like to believe this Sean Payton-led group success story is made up voodoo creations found in the French Quarter or from special pre-game gumbo, it is not.

Yes, their team history has been similar to the relationship between nail and hammer. The run to a potential trip to the Super Bowl should be credited to the NFL’s leading offense, an improved defense (orchestrated by defensive coordinator Greg Williams) and a lot of big plays along the way. Not on a wing and a prayer.