This was a set up from jump street. A lot of NFL talking heads and some local sports types pegged the Saints/Tennessee match up as a trap game; a real possibility of a tough road loss. The Saints don't play well outside the dome, the temperature would be cold and the Titans have a great running back like the Rams. If we can't beat the Rams on the road then why would we beat the Titans. Even the official betting line had this one close.
Fast forward to game day. The Saints declare rookie running back Ingraham inactive and star TE Jimmy Graham wakes up to back spasms. Oh my, could the win streak come to an end. Saints dominate moving up and down the field at will but can only take a 6-3(all field goals) lead into halftime. In the second half, Saints score another FG and Tennessee draws first blood for scoring touchdown and the Saints find themselves down 10-9. And here comes Drew and Colston. Not one but two touchdowns and seemingly the Saints are in control. Wait a minute.
Inexplicably, Sean Payton decides to go for two, which better work or the score can now work against you. It didn't. 22-10 Saints with less than 7 minutes to go. Before we hit 6 minutes to go it's 22-17 and Tennessee is on fire. And they get the ball back again and start to move. And they are really moving. After an amazing Malcolm Jenkins tackle it's 3rd and 1 for the Titans who take a chance and go downfield. Incomplete. 4th and 1. QB sneak and the Saints hold. Seemingly, they got this. Chris Ivory runs for a 1st down and we hit the 2 minute warning. Piece of cake, right? Not the Saints. Somehow, someway with 3rd down and the clock ticking away, the Saints call a pass play and it's incomplete. You mean we're going to give them the ball back with 1 minute 40 seconds. Yes, we are. Before you know it the Titans are at the Saints 5 with seconds left. And then like manna from heaven, the Tennessee back up QB takes a sack. Why? I dunno but thank you as we all say collectively: Saints win. 10-3. Still in first place in the NFC South by 2. Big win. Ugly, but a win.
This is all I know; the Saints won but they better get better. With the Vikings, Falcons and Panthers left; all in domes and 2 at home, this team can win out. Will they? Not if they play like today.
The Saints had way too many penalties; it cost Sproles a punt return for a TD and Jimmy Graham caught a TD pass that was ruled incomplete and then upheld by instant replay. WOW. But if you want to get back to the SuperBowl, if you want to match up with the Green Bay Packers, you got to win strong, eliminate penalties and develop a pass rush that is meaningful. Until then we will sweat out a few more victories and see what happens in the post season.
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