Colts vs. Saints: 5 Halftime Observations for New Orleans

I'm sure the NFL scheduled this game before the season started and were excited for the revenue such a marquee matchup would bring. Then Peyton Manning went down, along with Indy's 2011 hopes. Now, this game is more of a laugher than anything.

Anyone who watches the Colts play on a weekly basis can tell that these guys are still playing their hardest and trying to win every game. But it's hard when your franchise star is out. And the Saints are taking advantage of this in a big way.

Here are five observations from the first half for New Orleans:

1. The Front 7 Is Having a Field Day

Has this defense ever had an easier time getting to a quarterback? They are pushing the Colts' offensive line around like nobody's business. I can't remember the last time in this game that Curtis Painter had time to make a throw. He's only been sacked once so far, but expect that number to soar as the night goes on.

Not to mention, the Saints are stuffing the running game. Joseph Addai seems to be hurting, but the other RBs are getting clobbered, too. The Saints forced a fumble in the first quarter on a play that was going nowhere in the first place. All in all, this must be a nice, fun game for the defense.

2. The O-Line Has It Easy Too

For as much trouble Painter has been in all night, Brees has it made. He could take a nap between the time the ball is hiked and a defender gets to him. Brees is already an elite QB, so it's just a bonus that the offensive line is making his life easy tonight.

Brees has thrown for three TDs part way through the second quarter and could probably go for six or seven if there wasn't such a thing as sportsmanship in this world. I'm not exactly a fan of running up the score, but hey; Brees could conceivably shatter every record in the league tonight if they just let it fly.

3. Momentum Is NOT a Problem

You wouldn't expect having momentum to be a problem in the Superdome for the Saints. But in close games, it happens to every home team's fanbase. Sometimes, if an opponent takes the lead or gets a big turnover against the Saints, it will kill the momentum and momentarily quiet the crowd.

The only crickets you'll hear tonight will be the ones echoing off the dome as the last of the Colts fans file out at halftime. Normally when these two play, momentum would be a huge factor in the outcome. Tonight, the Saints are dominating in every aspect of the game.

4. Brees Can Throw All Day

Drew Brees can throw on most everyone. Even the toughest of defenses have been burned by his golden right arm. But tonight, it's just a joke. Brees has not had any trouble in missing a target, or been nearly intercepted or anything like that. 

He's got a line of 16-20 with 200-plus yards and three touchdowns with about five minutes left before halftime, and there's no stopping now. Like I said, if they allowed him to, Brees would set every single-game passing record in the book tonight.

5. Payton from the Booth Will Work

After Coach Sean Payton's freak injury on the sideline last week, Saints fans may have been left wondering if the play-calling would change. After all, it is a much different perspective coaching from the booth as opposed to down on the field. I know Indy is a cream puff opponent, but we can safely say that this arrangement will work.

It looks like Payton is proving that he's really just a great coach up there. He can recognize what needs to be done even from that distance and make the appropriate calls to lead New Orleans to a rout. As long as he's out, he should be fine up in the booth. But we'll see when a real test comes to town.