Okay already. I admit that I, like many other “NFL football experts” thought that the Saints would be mediocre this season. I knew that Brees would throw for 25,000 yds and so on, but I surely did not see this coming. Heading into their match up with the lowly Redskins, the Saints are a cool 11-0. That is perfect…undefeated…unmarred…Kingly…well…Perfect! The really amazing thing is they have done it with relative ease. They have had moments of weakness, such as the first half debacle against division rival Carolina. The weakness never hangs around very long though. They have adapted and overcome every obstacle….
Photo Credited to Wikipedia User Aquamelli
Still, you have to wonder if they are going to actually do it. Can they run the slate? Can they go undefeated?
The simple answer is yes. Not only do I think they can do it, but I think that they will do it. Call me a bandwagoner if you wish, but the fact is I think they will win every regular season game.
Look at what is left:
- Washington Redskins
- Atlanta Falcons
- Dallas Cowboys
- Tampa Bay Bucs
- Carolina Panthers
There is only two real dangers on that list. The Cowboys and the Falcons could potentially give them problems. The Panthers possibly could, but likely they will be in rebuild mode with a young Matt Moore. As for the Bucs and the Skins, I would say those are near gimmies. I like Josh Freeman and the Bucs for down the road, but right now they are just not in the Saints class.
The Falcons should not be much of a problem, especially if Ryan and Turner are still ailing. They have tailed off considerably the second half of the season, and I expect that trend to continue. I just do not see them staying healthy enough to make a real run. Secondly, I think that Brees will torch their secondary which seems to be suffering from panic attacks lately.. (like he does everyone)
As for the Cowboys, it totally depends on which team shows up. The Cowboys are capable of being an explosive and dangerous team. If they are playing that way against the Saints, then the game will be a great one. I do think that the offense will win over the Cowboys though as well.
Who would have thought going into the season that we would be talking about the Saints going undefeated after eleven NFL football games? Certainly not me.
Photo credit to Flickr user Matt Trostle
The person that should be the most offended by this? Matt Moore
Matt Moore has patiently waited for his chance and backed up the Panther’s quarterbacks for a good bit now. The one time that Moore had the chance to play, he actually did a pretty good job. Far better than Jake has done this year. Then again, Ryan Leaf was never as bad as Jake has been this year.
If the Panthers think that Moore is worse than Delhomme, then Moore should stand up and ask for a trade to go elsewhere. The kid has a great arm, but most importantly he is a competitor. The players respond to him, and he is always spoke highly of. Why in the world would the Panthers not take this chance to see what the kid is made of? It boggles the mind.
My only guess is that Hurney and Fox are trying to end their Panther’s career for certain. It seems a shame because Fox has been a pretty darn good coach for the majority of his time here. The same goes for Delhomme. What is truly interesting to see is if Delhomme steps aside to save the Panthers all that dough they shoveled his way for a five year extension in the off season. Right…. That will happen.
It looks like all is not well in Panther land. Get ready for a tough week against the Cardinals. This was the team that Jake struggled against initially last year in the playoffs. I do see Carolina upsetting them, but it will have nothing to do with Jake. I think the Cards will overlook the Panthers and that Smith will have a big game in spite of who is throwing him the football. The odds are simply in his favor. Also, the great DeAngelo Williams should have a decent week as well. The Panthers defense has been on fire the last three weeks, and showed up big time in the loss against Buffalo. The only reason Buffalo scored was due to Delhomme setting them up time and again.
