Update: The New Orleans Saints surprised the New England Patriots (and a fair bit of the sports media) with a healthy drubbing in the New Orleans Superdome in front of a national crowd on Monday Night Football.

In a game that was billed as a potential preview of SuperBowl XLIV, the New England Patriots, down by 21 points, pulled Tom Brady with five minutes left in the game (apparently to keep him from being injured) and put in second-string quarterback Brian Hoyer in a move criticized after the game.

The Saints went up 38-17 after quarterback Drew Bress threw five touchdowns against a defense directed by Patriot's head coach Bill Belichick. Brees was nearly perfect in the game, with the Saints capitalizing on a first quarter interception of Brady, and never really looked back.

Said Belichick after the game, "They're a better team than we are."

Some fun news out of New Orleans -- City Hall and a number of city offices plan to close early today because of the Saints game. Their excuse? Traffic. Uh-huh.

But, let's cut them some slack...it's a big game. Here's a preview from NewOrleans.com. Money quote:

AT STAKE: The NFC South-leading Saints are trying to remain unbeaten and ahead of the Minnesota Vikings (10-1) in the race for homefield advantage in the NFC. The magic number remains at 2 for the Saints to clinch the division. Atlanta moved to 6-5 with a 20-17 win against Tampa Bay on Sunday, meaning any combination of Saints wins or Falcons losses totaling two will give the division crown to New Orleans.

Meantime, some discussion about the intangibles that the Saints bring to the field as a team and with Brees as a leader. Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune writes talks about Quarterback Drew Brees' pregame huddle and chant with the team. He goes on to point out how infectious and involved the Saint's fans are in these games.

Some might find it a stretch to think rich NFL players are motivated by anything other than the decimal points on their paychecks, but there's clearly an intangible at work here. Something more meaningful appears to be in the Saints' huddle this season. You see it on the weekends of road games, where Saints fans fill planes, hotel lobbies and the stands of visiting stadiums. That kind of passion normally is reserved for college football outposts such as Tuscaloosa, Ala., and State College, Pa. -- not the NFL.

How seriously are the people of New Orleans taking this year's team? One Mardi Gras krewe has already canceled its parade scheduled for Feb. 7, Super Bowl Sunday. WWL-870, the team's flagship station, ran a news item recently about a Southwest Airlines sale on round-trip flights to Fort Lauderdale for the month of February. And Commander's Palace officials announced this week their plans to close the restaurant Feb. 7 if the Saints play in the big game.

Nakia Hogan writes for the Times-Picayune on the matchups between the Saints and New England Patriots. Of particular concern to the Saints is New England's Wes Welker, their small, fast receiver whose precision could overwhelm the Saints depleted backfield. The Saints could field some backfield veterans in the form of their recent acquisitions Chris McAlister and Mike McKenzie, along with rookie Malcoln Jenkins who had an interception last week.

Of particularly concern to the Patriots is defensive lineman Will Smith (with six sacks in the past four games) and the entire New Orleans offense, particularly the balanced attack that has relied less on Drew Brees' 300+ yard passing days and more on a few hundred yards of running offense split among two or three different backs.

Previous Comments

ID

153733

Comment

Another note on the Saints-Patriots; the Saints are an anemic 1 to 1.5 point favorites among bookmakers out there, with the over-under of 56.5 points. All of which suggesting Vegas believes what the rest of us suspect about this game -- they think maybe we're looking at a nearly dead-even shootout.

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2009-11-30T13:04:46-06:00

ID

153779

Comment

This is a long blog entry, but I love the headline over at ESPN: '09 Saints battling legend of '07 Patriots. This is going to be a tough game. I think the early indicator for the Saints will be whether or not they can establish the run. Belichick it talking a lot of about the running game, and that suggests he's going to key it. This is a huge game for Sean Peyton, too, as you know he has respect for Belichick. Which crew can outsmart the other? Which team has the better offensive talent? Which Drew will show up? {OK, breathe.} 7:30 p.m. It begins.

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2009-11-30T17:12:25-06:00

ID

153781

Comment

I'm excited about tonights game. Here's to the Saints. I hope my initial thoughts that the Patriots will end this streak the Saints have been on will be wrong. It will certainly work out well in the end for the Cowboys....so, Go Saints!

Author

Queen601

Date

2009-11-30T17:23:30-06:00

ID

153782

Comment

So how about FoxSports? They pick it for the Pats, 31-27 over the Saints. They do get in this great line, though: The only thing that needs to be said is that the Saints will play the New England Patriots (7-3) in what will be a raucous Superdome. In fact, many have already billed it as the biggest regular-season game in Saints history.

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2009-11-30T17:44:13-06:00

ID

153784

Comment

Maybe the city of New Orleans will make all the difference. Do it for NOLA, bless their hearts. Gooooooo, SAINTS. We believe. Should we all meet here for a little old-style prayer meetin' just before kickoff!?!

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2009-11-30T17:58:16-06:00

ID

153786

Comment

I can tell you exactly what will happen tonight, the Saints will get their butts whooped. What I want to know though is what's going on with Tiger Hood. My sources are telling me Tiger came in to find his wife reading the National Inquirer and steaming. She asked him if he was fooling around on her and he said his back was hurting while he was down in Australia and he got him a little sexual healing while down there, after all he is of mixed race and some of his kinfolks do this as a family custom. He then said to her, you can miss what you can't measure, so what's the big deal. She then went ballistic and grabbed a 9 Iron, 2 knives and a pistol and charged him. Tiger happened to be undressing at the time and was only able to grab a pair of drawers, a shirt and and pair of short pants before going Usain Bolt on her. What he didn't know is she had Bolt-like speed too and caught him before he got completely away. Tiger ran to the Escalade and started forward but she jumped in front causing Tiger to immediately put the vehicle in reverse and hit a tree and fire hydrant. She still enraged pulled Tiger from the vehicle and commenced to putting a Mike Tyson styled ass-whooping on him until a neighbor stopped her and called 911. Since the media couldn't talk to Tiger or Elin, his wife, they interviewed various other personalities instead. Chris Brown said what she did to Tiger is a slap in the face. Orenthal James Simpson said you don't just jump out the bushes on a person and surprise them before they get ready to defend themselves. Marion Barry says Tiger was probably set up. William Jefferson Clinton said I didn't have sex with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky. Upon being reminded the reporter was asking about Tiger, Clinton said Tiger should have said the same thing, and his cabla-asian ass would have been better off and playing golf later this week.

Author

Walt

Date

2009-11-30T18:48:14-06:00

ID

153787

Comment

Walt, here's hoping you eat those words about the Saints, like you've been eatin' at least half of everything you've said about the Pitifuls so far this year. Who dat?

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2009-11-30T18:53:49-06:00

ID

153788

Comment

Story updated. Who dat?! ;-)

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2009-11-30T22:33:44-06:00

ID

153791

Comment

I have to say that the Saints played a very impressive game. Drew Brees is simply the truth. He resembled Brady a couple years back. One could clearly see the frustration from Brady, play after play, which we don't usually see....he's such a cool guy. But Brees got to him. LOL The Pats looked like a team full of rookies who didn't have any idea what to do with the Saints offense. iTodd, I am STILL not ready to shake the boys off, but clearly the Saints are doing their thing. Congrats to 'em and their fans. Hell-of-a-game times two!

Author

Queen601

Date

2009-12-01T09:11:42-06:00

ID

153794

Comment

It was a remarkable performance by Brees -- I'm amazed at where he places the ball on the back shoulders or right in the breadbasket of his receivers from 50 yards off. He was absolutely focused and on fire. Plus, shout out to the O line, the running backs (who fought for every yard they could muster) and Mike McKenzie, who was inexplicably amazing given it's his first week back as a pro after a year-ending injury (and being cut). He's got to be beside himself with happiness being back on this team. Queen, I have to speculate that Brady's frustration was coming from the absolutely insane looks that the Saints' defense was giving him -- I don't know if I've ever seen a defense give that many different looks jumping up in the gap, then blitzing or falling back -- coupled with the crowd noise, which had him clearly struggling to audible throughout the game. His O-line was rocking all over the place trying to pick up his signals, there were a number of confused reshuffles of his tight ends and the guys in motion -- I think the 12th Man in the Superdome gets its fair share of credit. Now that damn Farve needs to lose! The Saints are going to have to play perfect for home field if this keeps up. As of right now I'm a Saints fan AND a huge Cardinals fan. ;-)

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2009-12-01T09:30:56-06:00

ID

153797

Comment

CARDINALS....itodd, dude, what's happening? You taking me too fast. I can accept the Saints, but the Cardinals? You need to do a separate blog on that one. LOL And yes, I agree with you on Brady. He was frustrated for all the reasons you listed, no doubt about it. Saints fans are a handful these days, comparable to the Packer fans. But let's face it, they haven't had very much over the years to cheer for....but then came Brees. Oh and he has sooooo many weapons on offense...Dizzam.

Author

Queen601

Date

2009-12-01T09:42:06-06:00

ID

153798

Comment

I just need the Cards to beat Minnesota next week to give the Saints some breathing room in the NFC. Then my love for the Cards will wane. ;-)

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2009-12-01T09:45:36-06:00

ID

153804

Comment

I see Walt's going to be eating Crow. I'll chip in for the A1 for the poor guy.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-12-01T10:49:28-06:00

ID

153805

Comment

Awww, now you know that's NOT going to happen, Todd.

Author

Queen601

Date

2009-12-01T10:54:58-06:00

ID

153806

Comment

Hey Todd, this does make a prospective Vikings/Saints matchup very interesting. Imagine Farve and Brees in the same game. That'd be another 700-800 yards offensive blow out there. Fantasy Football dream matchup.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-12-01T10:57:47-06:00

ID

153807

Comment

Iron, if Walt comes back in here without a bib around his neck and a fork and knife in hand, maybe he oughta stay gone. ;-)

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2009-12-01T10:58:14-06:00

ID

153809

Comment

My money's on the more mature QB.....sorry!

Author

Queen601

Date

2009-12-01T11:04:33-06:00

ID

153810

Comment

Hey Todd, this does make a prospective Vikings/Saints matchup very interesting. Imagine Farve and Brees in the same game. That'd be another 700-800 yards offensive blow out there. Yup. A likely NFC championship game.

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2009-12-01T11:07:38-06:00

ID

153819

Comment

It's a game to pop the popcorn and watch the fireworks. It'd come down to whomever has the better defense.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-12-01T13:00:45-06:00

ID

153820

Comment

It'd come down to whomever has the better defense. And the healthiest defense...I agree. That would/will be one heckuva game. (That said, I think Farve would throw interceptions and the Saints would win.) One game at at time...gotta win in D.C. next, where the forecast on Sunday is 44 for the high with overcast; snow showers expected on the Saturday previous -- the Saints first exposure this year to the weather.

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2009-12-01T13:17:44-06:00

ID

153839

Comment

The Saints looked great last night and I actually pulled for them to win after the Patriots scored their first touchdown and started flexing their muscles. My hatred of the Patriots just wouldn't let me pull for them over the Saints. The Patriots are some big old somahitches though. They're scary-looking. Don't get too happy because the Saints could lose the next five with the Steelers getting well and winning the next 5 and the Super Bowl again. I'm going with the Saints this year though albeit quietly. Steelers' fans don't eat crow or wear aprons or dresses. We're macho men to the end even when we're hurt and beat up like we are right now. We got to find some players for next year. The Saints looked great on offense and defense. They're the real deal for sure. The story is getting worse for Tiger Hood. Now another woman is claiming to have slept with him for years while Tiger was married. I'm not a Tiger Woods fan anymore. My heroes don't run out the house shoeless and run into trees and fire hydrants. If he were a real pimps, he would have gotten away clean. I give Tiger credits, though, he dates every woman regardless of position or status in life, unless you're as sister, of course. LOL. He probably thought white girls don't go off and try to kill their men once cheated on. He knows differently now. Since the Steelers aren't going anywhere this season, I had planned to spend the rest of the season just hating on everybody else. The Saints need me, and I have agreed to support them for the rest of the season then back to the Steers nation full time and at all cost.

Author

Walt

Date

2009-12-01T18:10:59-06:00

ID

153923

Comment

I don't know, Walt. Based on your prognostications up to this point, I'm not sure the Saints "need" you. But, welcome aboard anyway. The Pitfuls will once again be a formidable, if vanquished foe in the coming Decade of Black and Gold. ;-)

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2009-12-02T17:37:27-06:00

ID

154040

Comment

Walt? Walt? Walt?

Author

prentiss reeves

Date

2009-12-06T21:10:38-06:00

ID

154046

Comment

[quote]I just need the Cards to beat Minnesota next week to give the Saints some breathing room in the NFC[/quote] Good Prognosticating! I'm more impressed the Saints didn't collapse but remembered to play to the end.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2009-12-07T09:39:37-06:00

ID

154214

Comment

Two games with only six games to play should be enough breathing room for the Saints. I doubt very seriously if New Orleans can remain undefeated, but I cannot see the team losing more than once. That said, home field advantage should be a deciding factor for the Saints. *fingers crossed*

Author

dpsmith

Date

2009-12-12T20:02:41-06:00

ID

154225

Comment

Well, there's another win under the Saints' collective belts; another squeaker, another less-than-stellar defense effort (until making two stands in the fourth quarter) that remains a W. Next up: Dallas comes to New Orleans in a MUST WIN game for Dallas and an oughta-win game for New Orleans, which still has Minnesota right behind it in the NFC home-field advantage race. The Dallas game in the Superdome is also distinguished by the fact that I will be AT IT. Who dat?!

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2009-12-14T11:04:46-06:00