Saints Dodge Friendly Fire, Beat Falcons in Primetime To Stay Perfect

The Saints are running out of ways to win...I think.

To open the season, the Saints crushed the Lions and Eagles with the pass.  In the following weeks against the Bills and the Jets, they ran and ran some more.

Their first real defensive statement came against the Giants and the win against Miami showed the Saints can come from behind on the road.

On "Monday Night Football," a new challenge reared its head as the Saints were faced with the task of overcoming a myriad of turnovers throughout the game.

And overcome they did.

Self-inflicted wounds always cut the deepest.  And the Saints certainly nicked themselves up enough to land themselves in intensive care.

Thankfully, (but not surprisingly) the defense showed up right on time with enough gauze to stop the bleeding by the time the fourth quarter ended.

Yes the turnovers were bad, but how many times are we going to see this team climb its way out of yet another new hole to come out with a win?

The game was actually over when Jabari Greer scored on his second interception of the season, giving the Saints a 28-14 lead right before halftime.

The Saints would score again in the second half but didn't have to as the Falcons would only score 13 more points by the end of the game.

Aside from the uncharacteristic turnovers from some of the more sure-handed ball handlers on offense, the Saints conducted business as usual in front of a national TV audience.

Creative passing mixed with some tough running; Gritty and timely defense; A costly turnover or two; Frustrating special teams play; More inventive offense; More timely defense.

As for Matt Ryan and the Falcons, they gave the Saints all they could handle. 

This is where I say Ryan looked like a rookie at times during the game but that would an inaccurate representation his rookie campaign, which earned him Rookie of the Year honors in 2008.

Give him the benefit of the doubt though.  His inopportune interceptions were more a reflection of Gregg Williams' scheming than Ryan's ineptitude.

But the most important thing the nation witnessed was something Saints fans have seen in every game this year.

A win.

A win that, by all accounts, has convinced those who have yet to pull their heads from the sand that the Saints are the best team in the NFL.

The Saints are best on offense, better than the Colts.  And their defense is better than the Colts too.

Minnesota has an arguably better defense but Brett Favre isn't putting up Krewe of Drew numbers on his side of the ball.

The Saints are playing better on offense AND defense than any one team and that gives them the edge.

Regardless, with half the season gone and a three game lead in the NFC South, the Saints are all but guaranteed a playoff berth.  The only question will be seeding.

As long as the Saints are healthy and at least competitive, they can afford a few "come back down to Earth" losses.

Some are touting the Saints next matchup against division foe Carolina as exactly that.

Even if that is the case, we've seen that the Saints won't succumb to mistakes they've made in the past.

That only lends itself the reality that the Saints are more than likely going to have to figure out yet another way to win.

Beating the Panthers at home, something they haven't done since 2001, is a good place to start.