The Saints, the media and football fans everywhere knew that the Sunday Night Football game between the cinderella Saints and the surging Dallas Cowboys would be a "tester" for both franchises.

New Orleans aced it.

Despite some give-but-don't-break defense and a kick-off coverage team that should probably be running laps this morning, New Orleans took an extraordinarily balanced and confident offense up against a good team's good defense -- on the road in home-team friendly Texas Stadium -- and smacked Dallas silly with points.

Drew Brees, Saint's QB, told the New York Times, "When we're balanced, take care of the football and execute like we know how, we should be able to score on anybody. We proved that tonight."

It's the balance that gets you -- Brees threw for 384 yards, McAllister ran for 111 yards, Bush caught-and-ran for 162 yards and fullback Karney scored the first three touchdowns in his three-year-old NFL career. In the first half alone, Brees threw to seven different receivers, according to the Times.

Can it hold up? As Al Michaels said in the warm-up for the Sunday Night Football telecast, "The Saints come into this game as the best story in the league." They left at least the second best team in the NFC at 9-4, with their playoff fate completely in their own hands, with a home game against the struggling Washington Redskins next week, a game at the Meadowlands in New Jersey against the New York Giants (7-6) and a final home-game rematch against the Carolina Panthers (6-7), who beat them early in the year by a field goal.

If they control that fate as well as they controlled the field of play Sunday night, this could be a very good year to be a Saints fan.

Previous Comments

ID

118326

Comment

Whoa, what an amazing game. And I must say, I woke up to the iTodd whistling "When the Saints Go Marching In" this morning. No kidding. (Don't tell anyone, but Todd *used* to be a Dallas fan. Shhhh.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-12-11T11:25:50-06:00

ID

118327

Comment

The Saints looked great last night - good enought to win a Super Bowl. I thought Aaron Brooks needed help. Now I know he should have been shot in the head a long time ago, as what the Saints needed was a quarterback. I still can't believe San Diego gave up Brees. How about them cowboys? They played like talentless girls. Owens said they're going to Miami. I wish I could go to Miami and watch the Super Bowl, too! That Saints coach punked out when he wouldn't score again. Offside kick at one point, and a so-called failure to score again based in respect or not wanting to rub it in. Buddy Ryan would have done all of it and some more. Jerry Glanville would have rubbed it in too. Take the dope out of the Cowgirls and they're just another losing football team. Go Steelers. We still in it!

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-11T11:55:34-06:00

ID

118328

Comment

They played like talentless girls. All right, now. The onside kick was amazing—and I believe that the kneeldowns on the 9-yard-line at the end were more of a psychological punch in Parcells' stomach than another touchdown would have been. That just doesn't happen to the Cowboys much, especially in front of a home crowd—now that many of them were left to see it by now. LOL. The Saints are America's Team. As a long-time Saints fan and Dallas hater, last night was a long time coming for me. ;-) Go Payton, go Brees, go Deuce, go Reggie—and go Karney, bless his heart. What a game.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-12-11T11:59:18-06:00

ID

118329

Comment

I thought I said talentless boys! My bad. Wouldn't intentionally say anything to belittle our wonderful little girls. Working that hard to get near the goal line then kneeling was like teasing to some of us. No one knows better than us how that mentally, psychologically, emotionally, and physically scars and damages. Mark my word the Saints won't play as well next week. They coach depleted the killer instinct in them. Parcell decided not to take anymore of his calls after the onside kick. Not scoring won't help any. When you get a big, mean, bullying, and hurting dog down, you have to keep kicking it. Else it rears its ugly head again. My coach told me, "son, do unto others while you can, and before they do unto you, else they do unto you without any regrets."

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-11T12:59:58-06:00

ID

118330

Comment

Where are the cowboy fans. I've seen many around Jackson wearing Cowboy regalia, attire, and dresses all the time. Sorry, I meant dress. Didn't they used to be America's team? You can't be that without fans in every state. Do they not read JFP? Or are they like the team, lay down at the first site of a challenge? What happened last night? Were they not ready? Did they fear the divine Saints because they weren't living right? Or maybe they couldn't find it within themselves to beat God's annointed team?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-11T13:17:48-06:00

ID

118331

Comment

I thought I said talentless boys! My bad. Well, you dodged that bullet. Wouldn't intentionally say anything to belittle our wonderful little girls. OK, you almost dodged it. (glare) ;-) When you get a big, mean, bullying, and hurting dog down, you have to keep kicking it. That's just the testosterone in you talkin'. There's more than one way to intimidate the big boys. Would you admit to being a Cowboys fan today? I don't think so.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-12-11T14:21:30-06:00

ID

118332

Comment

I will always be a proud cowboys fan. So talk to me when the saints win their FIRST EVER playoff game!

Author

jd

Date

2006-12-11T15:10:33-06:00

ID

118333

Comment

Jay how many Superbowls have the cowboys won - 5 or 6, and how many have they played in? I know my Steeler have won 5 and played in 6.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-11T15:17:49-06:00

ID

118334

Comment

the both have won 5. i think the cowboys lost to the steelers twice in the 70's. but neil o'donnell was the cowboy's mvp in 96, in dallas' last superbowl win

Author

jd

Date

2006-12-11T15:27:13-06:00

ID

118335

Comment

According to something I just found on the internet which may or may not be correct: Dallas, Pittsburg and San Francisco have all won 5. Dallas has played in 8, Pittburg in 6 and the 49ers in 5. Dallas has the most apperances.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-11T15:33:44-06:00

ID

118336

Comment

Five Superbowl and not a single playoff game seem like good reasons to score one more touchdown to me. Maybe I'm just sadistic.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-11T15:37:11-06:00

ID

118337

Comment

One final thing. Why are homegrown Texas players so hard on Texas. Young beat up the Texans in heartbreaking fashion and Brees did the same to the Cowboys. My all time favorite though was Eric Dickerson coming into Texas Stadium and running wild on the Cowboys. I wasn't even a big Los Angeles Ram or Eric Dickerson fan until then. It was like men chasing a prized horse at the Kentucky Derby. At the after game interview Dickerson stated my most loved words in football, "I have always hated the Cowboys." I don't mean any harm fellows. Repressed joy got the better of me.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-11T15:55:48-06:00

ID

118338

Comment

That was almost as good as Clark catching that touchdown on Emerson Walls when the 49ers came into prominence or Jackie Smith missing a sure touchdown in the endzone that would have beat the Steelers. My cousin cried when Smith missed that ball. As Oprah said in the Color Purple "when I saw that I knowed there was a God."

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-11T16:01:08-06:00

ID

118339

Comment

Hey Dortch: Saints won one in Haslett's first year.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-12-11T16:12:13-06:00

ID

118340

Comment

My what a game! The Saints have come a long way, BABY! I remember sitting in the Super Dome and fans were wearing bags over their heads and the Saints were called the aint's. They tried everything to pull that team together to include the hiring of Dicka who was just leaving Chicago. Now I ask, "What is the secret of the Saints success?" It is the fact that they spent time in the 'SIP. The hospitality and love shown to a great bunch of guys became the glue and sealed in the spirit of what it takes to become a WINNER. Yes, the Saints Marched In, Took Names and Kicked Butt! Go Saints GO!

Author

justjess

Date

2006-12-11T16:29:23-06:00

ID

118341

Comment

Saints won one in Haslett's first year.

Author

jd

Date

2006-12-11T16:57:54-06:00

ID

118342

Comment

"Saints won one in Haslett's first year" They did beat the rams, i remember that. Saints' fans deserve to take the paper bags off their heads every now and again. Congrats!

Author

jd

Date

2006-12-11T16:59:46-06:00

ID

118343

Comment

I'm sure that Melton's fatherly talk with Deuce during the of season is why he is looking so sharp since his knee injury! ;-)

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-12-11T17:52:18-06:00

ID

118344

Comment

Funny you say that, Pike. While we were watching the game last week, I said to Todd, "I can't believe Melton tried to condescend to this amazing man like he did. Melton can't hold a candle to Deuce McAllister."

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-12-11T18:09:22-06:00

ID

118345

Comment

probably sorry he couldn't "adopt" him in the Spartan manner 12 years ago.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-12-11T18:21:42-06:00

ID

118346

Comment

Too bad our mayor was so concerned about Duce and his money. His time would have been better spent managine the city's money or for dang sure, now spending it the way he did. You remember the story, helicoptors flying over communities: The command unit running 24/7: Two body guards around the clock and increasing salaries or hiring incompetent staff to do nothing.

Author

justjess

Date

2006-12-12T14:25:27-06:00

ID

118347

Comment

Deuce made it crystal to melton that he was a big boy and could take care of his own finance. Melton then went to work trying to tear down the King Edwards. His (melton's) next move was trying to get some investors from Texas to develop The King Edwards. According to melton, "It won't cost the taxpayers a dime - They will spend their own money." What a joke!

Author

justjess

Date

2006-12-12T14:32:10-06:00

ID

118348

Comment

justjess: I think you've gotten involved with some shady people and are getting bad info from them.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-12-12T14:43:28-06:00

ID

118349

Comment

kingfish, I must admit that I am involved with some shady people: Blacks, Browns, Whites, and some that I have to simply put in the category of "OTHER." If the information is bad, it is because the acts are/were bad. My GMother said, "What's done in the dark will come to the light." The people I deal with are DRAGNETS and basically deal in:"NOTHING BUT THE FACTS."

Author

justjess

Date

2006-12-12T15:11:40-06:00

ID

118350

Comment

UM, JUST JUSS THAT WAS WHAT MELTON SAID ABOUT DUECE AND HIS PARTNERS.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-12-12T15:46:14-06:00

ID

118351

Comment

Kingfish, this seems to be turning into an A,B conversation and either you or I have missed eachother's point. When you spoke of "shady people," I internalized it as your accusing me of dealing with people who had character deficits and were not above board. My statement about dealing with "Shady" people referred to ethnic markings: colors of skin - not contex of character. I considered you as one of those persons. I know absolutely nothing about you and have never taken a personal attact against you or anyother person who discuss issues on this link. If I remember correctly, Melton said that Duece's Partners were trying to take advantage of him and that he would not stand by and watch this happen. Duece responded by letting Melton know that he could take care of himself and his money. Kingfish, what are you talking about????????? I have found myself trying to defend something that I said figuratively and that you have couched literally. Melton, in my opinion, has been the problem for this City so, please don't try to make me the object of his failed administration. The things I say, I can back them up! The questions I raise come out of (1) my right to ask them; and, (2) because I want to know.

Author

justjess

Date

2006-12-12T17:08:11-06:00

ID

118352

Comment

I was joking with you Justjess. Was making fun of Melton's comments which is pretty much what he said, that Deuce had gotten involved with some shady people.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-12-12T17:10:33-06:00

ID

118353

Comment

Kingfish, are you saying that I had the COW by the WRONG TAIL?????? I am laughing my feet off. No HARM: No FOUL.

Author

justjess

Date

2006-12-12T17:26:06-06:00

ID

118354

Comment

BTW: After Deuce rushed for 111 yards against the Dallas defense, he takes the time to come to Jackson, and take 100 children on a Christmas shopping spree of a $100 each! You know this man could have given his time and money to any other town in Louisiana or Mississippi. Instead, he chose Jackson to invest his future in. We should be so lucky that he didn't just pull out and run somewhere else when challenged publicly by our City's Lead Ambassador. Santa Deuce is the man!

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-12-12T19:23:53-06:00