The Saints could not find a more fitting opponent than the New England Patriots for the most hyped regular-season game in franchise history.
At the beginning of the year, New Orleans coach Sean Payton’s record indicated he might be another Jim Haslett. Ten games later, his record says he might become the next Bill Belichick, matching the Patriots’ 16-0 record from 2007.
That’s like upgrading from Les Miles to Nick Saban or Aaron Brooks to Drew Brees or Dixie to Abita beer. If the Saints beat the Patriots at the Superdome on Monday night, the comparison will be even more interesting.
These days, Belichick is the coach being ripped for an unconventional, overly aggressive late-game call, not Payton. Belichick’s decision to go for a first down on fourth-and-2 from the New England 28 while protecting a 4-point lead against Indianapolis has been dissected a hundred times more than Payton’s crazy reverse call that led to a fumble and turned a late lead against Tampa Bay into a loss two years ago.
Belichick’s team has closeout issues, not Payton’s.
New England has lost three times despite being third in the NFL in scoring, second in scoring defense and second in turnover margin. In those defeats, opponents outscored the Patriots 47-10 in the second half and 34-10 in the fourth quarter.
The Patriots led the New York Jets 9-3 at the half and lost 16-9. They led the Denver Broncos 17-7 at the half and lost 20-17 in overtime. They led the Indianapolis Colts 24-14 at the half and lost 35-34.
New Orleans has outscored opponents 105-24 in the fourth quarter and 188-78 in the second half.
The Saints trailed the Miami Dolphins 24-10 at the half and won 46-34. They trailed the Carolina Panthers 17-6 at the half and won 30-20. They were tied at 14 with the St. Louis Rams at the half and won 28-23.
New England is the team with a one-dimensional offense, not New Orleans. The Patriots average 4.0 yards per carry, 23rd best in the NFL. The Saints average 4.8 yards per carry, fifth best in the NFL and their highest total ever.
On Monday night, New England can slam the door shut on New Orleans’ pursuit of perfection and slow down the Saints’ assault on the 2007 Patriots’ NFL record for touchdowns (75) and points (589).
Win or lose, though, the Patriots can’t halt the Saints’ remarkable progress. So much for the comparisons between Payton and Haslett, whose first three as coach in New Orleans were eerily similar.
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The Saints went 10-6 and won the NFC West in 2000 under Haslett in year 1 after finishing 3-13 in 1999 and being picked last in the division. Then they won their first playoff game at home by 3 points before getting blown out 34-16 on the road by Minnesota.
The Saints went 10-6 and won the NFC South in 2006 under Payton in year 1 after finishing 3-13 in 2005 and being picked last in the division. Then they won their first playoff game at home by 3 points before getting blown out 39-14 on the road by Chicago.
The Saints went 7-9 in 2001, falling far short of high preseason expectations when they lost their last four games.
The Saints went 7-9 in 2007, falling far short of high preseason expectations when they lost their first four games.
The Saints went 9-7 in 2002, blowing a playoff berth by losing their last three games.
The Saints went 8-8 in 2008, blowing a playoff berth when they lost six games by five or fewer points.
Beneath those surface similarities, the two coaches had little in common. Haslett’s teams were undisciplined messes on offense and defense, ranking among the league’s leaders in penalty yards every year.
Payton’s teams failed to make plays when it mattered most, but they were not undisciplined.
Haslett’s 2003 team started 1-4 and never recovered.
Payton’s 2009 team is 10-0 and making history every week.
FOR MORE INFO: Go to SaintsReport.com and BlackandGold.com for active message boards and all the latest news on the Saints as they prepare for the Patriots
SEE ALSO: Turnovers no long-term concern and putting Saints undefeated record in perspective
Comments
Now that's a good article right there. I'm shocked that more writers in New Orleans don't seem to have the knack for writing better articles about the Saints. However, I could be underestimating you and overestimating them.
how is that like les miles to nick saban. as soon as nick saban gets in his 5th year alabama is gonna fall just like lsu did in saban's 5th. Falling to #16 and losing to iowa.
Abita is not a step up from Dixie. Definately a huge step from Bud.
Thanks for the compliment, Paul.
Mark, I know Abita is not considered a big step up from Dixie, but I like it better. I was pretty sure that would draw a comment from someone.
Guerry I did forget to complement you on a great article. I was never a big Haslett fan, but this group of coaches and players are like none ever seen in New Orleans
WHO DAT
I'd agree, you always write some excellent articles. I live in Houston as well, I think there are a number of us displaced Saints fans living here. I've been here in Houston since 1995. Thankfully though I'm always able to find a way to watch the Saints games.
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