5 Reasons The Saints Will Go Undefeated and Be on a "Famous Block"

Five Reasons the Saints will go Undefeated in 2009 (HINT: it's the schedule!)

1.         The Washington Redskins.  This is the epitome of a trap game in the NFL; the Saints, going into FedEx field on a short week after an emotional, victorious Monday night game against the Patriots to play an underachieving team that is missing their top running back in Clinton Portis.  Just in case anyone has been doggin’ the Saints this year or not giving them their due Monday’s game was a rather large exclamation point letting the league know the Saints are here and are, without a doubt, the real deal.  An emotional week leading up to the Pats game can lead to a letdown week against the Redskins.  However, I sincerely doubt this will come to fruition.  Drew Brees leads his 37 pts/game Saints against the maligned ‘Skins and their quasi-respectable pass defense (170 yds/game and only 18.6 pts/game).  Those stats are slightly skewed owing to their easy schedule thus far; games with the Rams, Bucs, Lions, Panthers, Chiefs and the Cowboys 6-7 barn burner to keep their stats respectable.  However, against potent offenses the Redskins gave up an average of 27 points per game to the Eagles (two games), Falcons (before the Turner/Ryan injuries), and Giants (before their injuries).  Finally, if you want to win in the NFL, even with a prolific passing game, you need to run the ball.  The Saints do this well to the tune of 154 yds/game and the ‘Skins defend this poorly, giving up 128 yds/game.  Saints 33, Skins 13.

2.         The Atlanta Falcons.  Outside of the shocking game against the Rams (Saints won 28-23) the Falcons gave the Saints their biggest challenge of the season, in terms of the outcome of the game; the Saints won 35-27 with the Falcons respectably close the entire game including closing the gap to being down four points with 11 minutes to go in the 4^th quarter.  This upcoming game, however, despite being at the Georgia Dome for their second straight road game the Saints find themselves playing the Falcons at the right time.  With Matt Ryan out currently with a big toe injury and Michael Turner’s high ankle sprain the Falcons are relying on journeymen Chris Redman at QB and the combination of running backs Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling.  Although Redman had a surprisingly good game against the Bucs (keep in mind he was playing the Bucs), the Saints defense should have no problem disguising their coverage/blitzes enough to confound Redman into making at least two mistakes, two mistakes in which the Saints ball-hawking D will make them pay desperately for.  Note to Chris Redman: good game, way to come in and shine (even though it was against the Bucs).  Saints win, 45-20. 

3.         The Dallas Cowboys.  Without a doubt this is the Saints biggest challenge; lucky for them, this game is at the Superdome after 2 straight road games and an intense Monday night game.  I’m not much of a gambler and definitely don’t pretend or claim to be a handicapper but I can’t imagine betting on the Cowboys, as in ever.  As a frustrated Chicago fan I can’t even begin to imagine how frustrating it would be to support the Cowboys; explosive one week, dismal another.  The most frustrating part of the Cowboys is the simple fact that they have talent and so far they have not been able to use that talent consistently.  If the Cowboys can get their heads together and play like they should, with a Pro-Bowl QB and TE in Romo and Witten with the compliments of Miles Austin and Roy Williams (and yes, in that order) they should be formidable as long as Romo doesn’t force the ball to certain receivers and just take what is given to him this could be a close game.  However, the Cowboys will be coming off two tough games at the Giants and vs. the Chargers and could be a little emotionally spent.  If this game was at the Scoreboard Dome in Dallas I think this one could be a coin flip this late in the season but, alas, it is in N.O. and thusly, Saints win on a Saturday game, 21-18.

4.         The aforementioned Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  In their previous matchup the Saints easily defeated the Bucs 38-7 at Tampa.  If the Saints do come into this game 14-0 this could also become a trap game, but at the end of the day it comes down to two important factors: The Saints are that good and the Bucs are that bad.  The previous matchup was the poster-child of balance on offense with Brees throwing for 3 TD’s and 187 yds and the running backs chipping in with 2 TD’s and 185 yards (and an extra special shout-out to Jason Elam for making his lone field goal attempt).  Although Josh Freeman is doing a good job of actually impressing me with his play on a poor team at the end of the day he is still a rookie and the Saints are one of the best defenses that will be licking their chops at a chance to get in on some Tampa routing this time around.  Did I mention this one is at the raucous Superdome?  It is, and the Saints win 31-10 with Brees out of the game sometime in the 3^rd quarter.

5.         The Carolina Panthers.  It’s been said in this column already, but….. TRAP GAME! TRAP GAME! TRAP GAME!!!  I assure you, with 100% certainty, if the Saints go into this game at Carolina with a shot at 16-0 I will immediately write an article about why the Saints will lose that game because I do believe in the value of trap games and the difficulty in going 16-0.  However, ignoring those factors, even on the road the Saints have no business losing this game.  The Saints can honestly bench Drew Brees for the entire game or ¾ of it and not have to worry due to two factors: the Saints D is tenacious and turnover-hungry and Jake Delhomme is tenaciously turnover-hungry.  Jake Delhomme: 8 TD’s, 18 picks given.  Saints entire D: 8 TD’s, 20 picks taken.  On paper, ignoring outside factors that could be going on during this game, Saints will win easily 21-6 with Brees playing the first half only to capture the NFL’s second undefeated regular season this decade and third all time (could even be three this decade and four all time if the Colts continue on) and officially appear on Mercury Morris’ block.