The Saints offensive line was absolutely crushed in New York by the Jets in a game where they exploited our deficiencies in the offensive line, and in the following weeks, the Saints responded, and showed significant improvement in the running game, particularly in the play of Mark Ingram.
They were destroyed in Seattle, and responded with an enormous win at home against Carolina.
The Saints struggled on the road, and they earned the perception of not playing well in the cold weather, and once again, the Saints responded last week with a fantastic win in Philadelphia in twenty-five degree weather.
They will have to respond once again this Saturday in Seattle, a place where they were previously trounced by the Seahawks 34-7 on national tv.
What notion will be stronger regarding the Saints? Will it be their struggles on the road? Or will it be their ability to respond well to adversity, and setbacks?
For some reason, I like the chances of the latter. It seems like I've been wrong regarding the Saints almost all season, and have said that they have no shot at making it to New York this year, after believing they were a Super Bowl caliber team. We'll find out which is correct this Saturday.
I like the fact that the Saints are going into Seattle for the second time. They will know exactly what to expect from the hostile Seattle crowd.
I like the fact that the coaching staff had the luxury of implementing what turned out to be sort of a "trial and error" in terms of gameplanning during that regular season game. They've previously game planned for Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch, and were effective in limiting Lynch, but were the opposite of effective in limiting the ability of Russell Wilson to burn the Saints by throwing the football. I feel good about our staff having an extensive knowledge of what worked, and what didn't.
If can give you that feeling after such a beat down, it's Coach Payton, Joe Vitt, Rob Ryan, and company.
I also like the fact that the weather wasn't ideal in their previous visit, much like it won't be this time.
The Saints have been there before, so nerves should effect them less.
The one single discouraging fact is that the previous game was not a close one. Seattle embarrassed us in the previous meeting. Make no mistake about it. If it were a close game, minor adjustments could be made. Players would be able to have the feeling that "If I just play a little better than last time, things could be better." The Saints don't have that luxury.
They will have to exercise some enormous demons going into this game. Sean Payton will have to completely throw out the previous game plan, and start over, because obviously, the previous one didn't work, and wasn't effective in the least bit. The players will have to execute this new completely revamped game plan, and it will have to be done flawlessly.
Drew Brees must not throw any interceptions. I realize that the Saints survived two of them in Philadelphia, but they certainly won't be able to do that again, especially in Seattle. Drew Brees must play a near-perfect game in order for us to win.
The Saints defense must force turnovers from the Seattle offense. If that doesn't happen, we will not win.
Our patchwork crew of defensive backs must not allow any big plays. I feel a lot better knowing that Keenan Lewis will play. Corey White will have to play the game of his life.
Our offensive line must protect Brees. We need an enormous game from Terron Armstead, who played well against Philadelphia.
The offensive line must be able to open up holes for Mark Ingram, Khiry Robinson, and maybe Pierre Thomas. They must eliminate all holding penalties, and that comes with winning all the important one-on-one battles.
Drew Brees and company must find a way to make big plays early on in the game to eliminate the crowd noise. Once again, Kenny Stills and Robert Meachem must step up. Those two, in particular, must come through for their teammates, and make big plays when they get opportunities, because they certainly will get them, knowing that Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston, Lance Moore, and Darren Sproles will receive most of the attention in game planning from the Seattle defense.
I certainly feel good about the fact that we have Sean Payton as our coach, and a furure hall of famer at quarterback in Drew Brees, on our side. I like Payton better than Pete Carroll, and I like Brees better than Russell Wilson.
I also like the spirit of the Who Dat Nation. I got chills when I read about the banner that was flown over New Orleans this week that stated simply to "believe." I also got chills when I read that thousands of Saints fans were waiting to cheer on Saints players at 4am as they flew into New Orleans after their victory over Philadelphia. Saints players and coaches aren't just playing for themselves, they are fighting for a city. That is an advantage, and can't be understated in a game of this magnitude.
I said it in my Twitter NFL predictions earlier this year that "The Seahawks are a sham," and who better to prove that than Sean Payton, Drew Brees, and the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round of the playoffs in Seattle. What a huge game! I love football.
I BELIEVE. WHO DAT?! GEAUX SAINTS!!!! BEAT SEATTLE!!!
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