New Orleans Saints: Thoughts from a Who Dat Fanatic in Week 7

Last Sunday, Drew Brees and company arrived in Tampa Bay the NFC South leaders, but after four quarters of sloppy play, the New Orleans Saints lost 26-20 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a division rival. The Bucs victory created a tie at the top the division, and left Saints fans wondering how the black and gold lost.

As I sat on my couch watching New Orleans, I felt good about things. However, that cheery feeling I had to start quickly disappeared. On the opening drive, Pierre Thomas fumbled and the Bucs recovered deep in Saints territory. Thus began me witnessing a game that I would rather like to erase from my memory.

Not only did my Saints lose, but also Brees did not play like his normal self. The normally clutch and accurate QB threw three interceptions, his last coming with 3:43 remaining in the game. While Brees threw a jump ball to Jimmy Graham in the end zone, Robert Meachem was running free on the left side of the end zone. Sadly though, the Super Bowl XLIV MVP could not find him.

Instead of taking a 27-26 lead, the Bucs picked Brees off and ran the clock out.

Fear not Who Dat faithful, the Saints have a chance for redemption against the hapless Indianapolis Colts this week. The team from Indy is 0-5 with Curtis Painter at the helm. His stats have not been awesome, but at that the same time there not that bad. For a guy that started a total of two games prior to this season, his numbers could be worse.

On the season, he has completed 54.9 percent of passes, accumulated 806 yards through the air, and has thrown five touchdowns. More importantly, he is at least giving the Colts a chance to win every game because he only has one interception.

With all that being said, expect Greg Williams to bring a lot of pressure and exploit Painter’s inexperience at the quarterback position.

Also, if the Saints want a victory on Sunday night, they need to make sure that the dynamic duo of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are not factors in the game. Even though the Colts are winless this year, those defenders have combined for eight sacks thus far.

The Saints offensive line must make those two irrelevant or Brees could have a long day.

Lastly, New Orleans just has to hold on to the ball. The Colts are not good enough to beat the Saints, but if the black and gold turn the ball over, it could spell trouble. Turnovers would give the Colts confidence that they should not have.

Simply put, the only way the Saints could be Indianapolis’ first victim is if they hurt themselves.

The Saints offense should roll over the Colts that ranks 28 in both passing and rushing defense. Although the recently injured Sean Payton will be calling plays from the booth, I do not think it will slow down the Saints offense. I expect Brees to torch Indy’s secondary and New Orleans to win big in primetime on Sunday night.