Didn’t see that coming. Actually, that’s not true. I did. I found myself reverting to the Saints fan I was up and until the Super Bowl win this February (that seems like a loooosng time ago, doesn’t it?) That guy is always going, “This is a dangerous game, the Saints are looking shaky in all three phases, the Cards could hang around, get some breaks….” But this year I decided to not listen to that guy anymore. This year I was going to keep a positive outlook and not get caught in the easy negativity of the past. That was the old Saints and the old Saints fan in me and they’re both dead.

Aww hell, we’re screwed. This is going to be just like 2007 and 2008, where they’re always a game or two out of the playoffs – winning just enough to keep you coming back but never getting over the hump. Ohnotagain, ARIZONA? You’vegottobefriggingkiddingme!! THEY GOT THREE DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS???? WHATTHEHELLISGOINGON???!!!!!!

NO! Not this year! I’m not going there. Not this year. Gonna stay positive, gotta stay positive. Hang on, I’m going to go watch “America’s Game: SB44” again.

Okay, much better now. This is just going to heighten the drama later. What would happen if this were a Rocky movie? Well, Rocky’s training regimen has been constantly interrupted by personal appearances, awards shows, commercials etc. He hasn’t taken it all that seriously, instead basking in the well deserved spotlight while Clubber Lang has been the one catching chickens. He gets in the ring against a much more motivated opponent, and gets dropped in the second round. He’s going to get up, to be sure, but now Rocky knows it’s serious. This is going to be a fight. A down and dirty, drag-out, broken-nosed fight. And his eye is already bleeding. Tampa Bay is a dangerous team, playing with the confidence of having nothing to lose. They’re going to bring the same game plan the rest of the league has been using, and will continue to use until the Saints prove they can make them pay for it. Again, the answer to the soft coverage they’ve been seeing is the running game. Maybe Ivory gets more consistent? Maybe Betts was still rusty? Maybe Julius Jones can help? Probably, though, it won’t really get much better until PT and Reggie get back to blow this “make em’ dink and dunk” game plan to smithereens. Here’s what Madden had to say this week:

Saints go long at the end of the half.

Bucs get the ball first and the Saints D forces a three and out. Then Brees drives down the field in four plays, finishing with a Colston TD. Another Tampa three and out. Could this be the game they bust one open? Just as I’m thinking that, B. Rudd gets a sack/fumble of Brees, Tampa recovers on the 13, but the defense holds them to a field goal. Now NOLA goes three and out, and Tampa goes on a long drive for another FG, now down only 7-6. Saints next drive ends with an interception returned to the 49 with 1:30 left in the half. These MF’ers could go into halftime winning! But the defense comes to the rescue again, and the Bucs miss a 52-yard FG. Brees has 52 seconds, two timeouts, and the ball on the 45. More than enough time to score. Brees hits Henderson for a TD with 13 seconds left to go into the half up 14-6! Whooooo!!!!

Saints go three and out on their first possession of the second half, and Tampa responds with a long drive for a C. Williams TD. They go for two to tie it, DENIED! Saints still up 14-12. Getting that “heavy elephant” feeling in my chest again. Wonder what that means? Oh well, I’m sure the offense will put it together on this next drive – OH MY GOD, I THREW ANOTHER INTERCEPTION! I’m such and idiot! And of course Tampa methodically marches to another score, and this time they get the 2-pt conversion to go up 14-20 with 1:54 left in the game. Deep breaths. Get off me, elephant! Here we go. Brees from the shotgun starts picking the Bucs secondary apart in 11, 15, 19 yard chunks. There’s still enough time to run, and Ivory breaks off a big first down run to get the Saints to the 11. Brees hits Meachem on a crossing route and he crashes into the end zone with 26 tics left on the clock. Hartley extra point is good, Tampa has four desperation heaves, but can’t connect as time runs out on the Bucs, 21-20.

Brees 14-24-207, 3TD, 2 INT. Saints win despite being -3 in the turnover ratio. Tampa has 127 yards rushing to New Orleans 51. Other than the first drive, and the last drives of either half, the Saints offense can’t get in sync.

Looking forward to: The Saints winning (pleasepleaseplease).

Not looking forward to: More texts from Favre. When’s he going to get the hint?

Media Prediction: As Jets/Ravens/Pittsburgh bandwagons grow bigger, NFC goes back to being the “Inferior” Conference.

The Buddy D Memorial List (a.k.a. – If the playoffs started today)
NFC: 1. Atlanta, 2. Chicago (come on, really?), 3. Washington vs. 6. New York, 4. Arizona vs. 6. Tampa Bay (REALLY?)
AFC: 1. Baltimore, 2. New York, 3. Kansas City vs. 6. Pittsburgh, 4. Houston vs. 5. New England.

Madden Tip: What a stupid game. 35 to 10?! Come on!