Colts vs. Saints: 5 Things We Learned About New Orleans in Its 62-7 Win

Heading into Sunday night's game, I was assured of one thing—a New Orleans Saints blowout win. The Saints delivered and then some. 62-7...come on, man! There's no way any Saints fan can't be thrilled with the effort flowing from the joints and muscles of America's Team—well, they were for at least a few years. 

The Saints are now a team that is easy to overlook, easy to put on the back burner. They aren't as sexy as the Green Bay Packers, as fierce as the Pittsburgh Steelers or as business-like as the New England Patriots. 

The Saints are kind of a quirky team, which fits with the city they play in. Quirky is actually a pretty good definition of the city of New Orleans. Well, Sunday night, the Saints reveled in that identity, and made fans of the team remember why this a love affair that will never end. 

Let me explain.

1. New Orleans Loves the Nightlife

The Saints play their best football at home in the dome at night. Sunday night was clearly another example of why that is true. 

Scoring 62 points is insane for anyone, anywhere, in any circumstance. The crowd was crazy, the team fed off of that momentum and all in all, the team played by far its best football of the entire season. 

It isn't debatable. Everyone who watched the game or looked at a box score could tell you that. A blowout is a blowout, but there's no doubt it was aided by the the city's enthusiasm over having a night game at home. 

2. New Orleans Plays Their Best Football at Home, Especially on Defense

The crowd noise, the effort and the production are all so naturally enhanced for the Saints when they play on the turf of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. 

And for no unit is that more true than with the defense. Three turnovers, a number of sacks and pressures, few big plays. The Colts had nothing to really cheer about all night. And that was all because the Saints play an exemplary brand of defensive football on the turf of the dome. 

3. Sean Payton Not on the Sideline, No Problem!

Sean Payton has such definitive, well thought out systems and processes of how to run practices, meetings, game planning and even sideline management that his presence isn't even essential for the team to operate at its fullest capacity. 

Pete Carmichael was calling in the plays from the sideline, and Drew Brees and Co. didn't skip a beat. In fact, you could make an argument the offense was even more organized and better prepared. 

Is Sean Payton in danger of losing his play-calling duties? Of course not, but it proves they are able to withstand even the most difficult issues, ultimately because of Payton. 

The offense racked up over 500 yards of offense, including over 200 rushing yards. That's efficiency. 

4. Drew Brees: Simply the Best

Yeah, so there's a guy named Rodgers and another named Brady. I'll take that guy named Brees any day. Sunday night he showed why. 

Brees was as efficient as he's ever been. His QB rating was almost perfect. Five touchdowns, only four incompletions on 35 attempts, plus 325 yards. What more can a person ask? 

Give credit to the offensive line and the skill guys. But mostly give credit to Brees. He is the one that made sure this team was ready without Sean Payton. Don't you get the feeling Brees could be a player/coach? He kind of already is. 

5. Sorry Olin, the Saints Are Better Without You

The Saints needed an answer at center, and got it Friday when the default starter Olin Kreutz de facto retired. The Saints showed Sunday night it was for the best. 

Brian de la Puente started in his place, and the Saints had their best offensive night in the history of their franchise. And it was possibly the best overall offensive performance in the history of football. 

So much for Kreutz. It was nice having you for a few weeks, Olin. Best wishes.