Saints Win Big, Win Easy Over Patriots

The Patriots road woes continued in the Bayou as the Saints thrashed them on Monday night.

Unlike the Indianapolis loss, there was nothing good to take away from this game.

Defensive breakdowns.

Turnovers.

Inept offense.

New England played very well in the first quarter, but then the Superdome roof caved in on them.

Brady was leading the Patriots to a possible 14-3 lead but threw an ill advised pass in the hands of Saints’ corner, Mike McKenzie.

McKenzie, who was just signed off the streets, made many big plays on this night.

His pick was the turning point of the game.

Drew Brees took advantage of every opportunity presented to him.

Brees who made an argument for MVP torched the Patriots secondary especially Jonathan Wilhite.

Wilhite continues to get picked on by opposing quarterbacks.

Manning and Wayne exposed him.

Even Mark Sanchez threw a touchdown on him last week. The only pass he didn’t throw to Leigh Bodden.

Brees and anyone, Wilhite covered, smoked him last night.

Brandon Meriweather also had breakdowns, but more of the mental variety.

He blew the coverage on Devery Henderson’s 75 yard touchdown. He failed to bring safety help and Henderson walked into the end zone.

The secondary only gave up one big play over 40 yards the whole season. Last night, they gave up big plays all night.

As I mentioned in my preview, the game would come down to the defenses. What team would make the big plays?

The Saints made them.

The Patriots let them up.

Brady and the Patriots offense couldn’t match the Saints explosiveness.

You could see frustration all their faces.

Welker couldn’t break free as he usually does.

Moss and Brady couldn’t get in rhythm.

The only bright spot was the play of Sam Aiken who had 7 catches for 90 yards. He took advantage of the smothering coverage of Moss and Welker.

Laurence Maroney, what can we say about him?

He ran very hard again and putting his head down running over tacklers while posting 64 yards and two touchdowns.

However, yet again he tarnished his good play with a fumble.

Fred Taylor, how is the ankle buddy (yes I wrote this last week as well)?

What can you say about the Saints?

There is no doubt they are the real deal and arguably the best team in football.

They are better than the Colts.

New Orleans seldom plays from behind and blows teams out of the water.

The Colts seem to be pulling wins out of the fire as of late.

Drew Brees?

He is money.

His numbers were gaudy last night.

He went 18 for 23 yards for 371 yards and 5 td’s.

He had as many touchdown passes and incompletions!!

There is no doubt about his leadership skills and he is a deadly accurate passer.

He keeps his composure as he did when his team was down big against Miami earlier this year.

I have a feeling the Saints will be Marching into Miami in February.

Ok enough of the Saints love fest and back to the Patriots.

The Patriots have a tough road test in Miami (5-6) next week where they historically haven’t played well.

They need to bounce back with a performance like they had against the Jets. They need to clinch the AFC East and try to work out their road kinks.

There is no doubt, they will have to win on the road and play better defense to get to the Super Bowl.

Jerod Mayo said it all, "It's all about execution and being on the same page," Mayo said, per the Boston Globe.  "Tonight, the defense wasn't on the same page.  I take that on my shoulders, not having these guys on the same page and given up big plays against a good offense."

The D better find that book and get on the same page next week versus Miami.

Joe Gill is a featured blogger for Boston Sports Then and Now, Rootzoo.com and Trufan.com