The surface the New Orleans Saints play
upon at the Louisiana Superdome is indeed artificial. And, since "The Greatest
Show on Sportexe Momentum" doesn't quite have the same ring to it, the 2009
Saints are drawing direct comparisons to those St. Louis Rams teams that
turned the Edward Jones Dome scoreboard into a veritable pinball machine-
counter as the 20th century gave way to the 21st.
The resemblance, in many ways is uncanny.
In the Rams' stage production, the role of clinically-accurate signal-caller
was played by Kurt Warner, who won two league MVP awards in three years on the
strength of his right arm. Though smaller in stature, Drew Brees is, like
Warner, a quarterback who can hit a target on either eye from 40 yards away
and is generally impossible to pressure (just ask the Giants) due to a quick
delivery and motherboard-fast decision-making ability.
Playing the role of savant-like play-caller, the one St. Louis filled with the
professorial Mike Martz, is head coach Sean Payton. Like Martz, Payton
attacks, attacks, and attacks some more, keeping opponents off balance with an
intricate scheme built around the short pass but also fully capable of a
ground-chewing power run or a highlight-reel-worthy deep throw.
With Payton as architect, the Saints have scored 40 or more points four
times during their 6-0 start, and lead their closest competitor in NFL scoring
offense, the Indianapolis Colts, by nearly 10 points per outing.
New Orleans is on pace to score 635 points in 2009, which would destroy the
Patriots' record of 589, set just two years ago. In that respect, the team's
show would indeed fall into the category of greatest.
In many ways, however, these Saints are nothing like the Rams of the Dick
Vermeil and Martz eras. In many ways, they're scarier.
Though that St. Louis team had a great many skill-position weapons, including
four Hall of Fame candidates - Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt, and
Isaac Bruce - these Saints are deeper.
The Saints don't have one running back that can beat you...they have three.
Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell have taken turns providing New Orleans with a
power-rushing presence, and Reggie Bush - though not the Michael Jordan-like
game-changer some had expected when he entered the league - has been a
dangerous third-down back and pass-catcher.
Then, there are Brees' main targets. How many defensive backs must an opponent
have active on gameday to cover the likes of Marques Colston, Lance Moore,
Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, and Jeremy Shockey? For opposing defensive
coordinators, it's a game of Whac-a-Mole, except there are about four more
moles than whackers. Forget the nickel and dime, you'd better bring a half-
dollar to deal with this team.
But what really sets New Orleans apart from its counterpart at the beginning
of the decade is the defense, the albatross that had hung around the
organization's neck for the first three years of the Sean Payton era.
Payton went out on a limb, both professionally and financially, by hiring
Gregg Williams as his defensive coordinator during the offseason. From a
professional standpoint, Payton was taking a chance on a coordinator whose
detailed scheme had alternately worked well (in stints with the Titans and
Redskins) and poorly (in stints as head coach with the Bills, and in a
disastrous 2008 season with the Jaguars). On the financial side, eccentric New
Orleans owner Tom Benson forced Payton to reach into his own pocket to enhance
Williams' contract by the $250,000 needed to get the coordinator to the Big
Easy.
Williams' aggressive scheme has been a boon to New Orleans, which also
enhanced its rag-tag secondary by adding the likes of free safety Darren
Sharper and cornerback Jabari Greer in the offseason.
New Orleans is tied for the NFL lead in takeaways (18) and interceptions (13),
and is allowing opponents to complete a league-low 52.4 percent of their
passes.
Sharper, who the Vikings had determined was washed-up when they decided not to
re-sign him after last year, is in the early running for league defensive
player of the year honors. Sharper's six interceptions lead the league, and his
third pick-six of the year, recorded this past Sunday against Miami, helped
turn what had been a 24-3 New Orleans deficit into a 46-34 Saints win.
Of course, what any defiant Rams supporter will fold their arms and mention as
soon as you break out the otherwise apt comparison, is that this Saints club
has so far accomplished nothing.
St. Louis parlayed its former offensive success into two Super Bowl
appearances, including one title. This isn't the first New Orleans team to
score a lot of points, but the others have come up short in the won-loss column
when it mattered, and the club's lack of a Super Bowl appearance in its
history provides further ammunition to those who would question the Saints'
staying power.
But through six games, this New Orleans team seems to have a different air
about it than those that came before, a collective purpose that suggests that
this might very well be the year that the Saints finally break through the
reinforced glass housing their prior, mostly hapless history.
And in that way, though the surface at the Superdome is indeed artificial turf,
the 2009 New Orleans Saints are not a team that should be judged strictly on
its surface.
Let's take a look at the week that will be in the National Football League:
NFL POWER POLL
The Sports Network's updated NFL Power Poll, which ranks all 32 league teams,
can be found at:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=
nfl/misc/nfl-poll.htm
FANTASY FOCUS
Find Fantasy Editor Steve Schwarz's latest analysis at:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=
fantasy/index.aspx
SUICIDE POOL PIX
1. Chicago (vs. Cleveland) - How do you think the ever-accurate Derek Anderson
is going to fare in the wind of Soldier Field?
2. Indianapolis (vs. San Francisco) - Niners will play hard in an effort to
end their losing streak at two games, but lack the firepower to beat Colts.
3. San Diego (vs. Oakland) - If Chargers can get the Raiders down by a couple
of touchdowns early, they'll quit.
THE GAMES
I was 10-3 in my picks last week, including 7-5-1 against the spread. I lived
by the pick-six (the Steelers with a late cover) and died by the pick-six (the
Dolphins losing by double-digits), and both results were a reminder of why I
don't gamble. The record for the year is now 68-35 (.660) straight up, and
55-47-1 (.539) while walking the line.
Denver (6-0) at Baltimore (3-3), Sunday, 1:00 (Baltimore -3)
Storylines: Broncos are one of three remaining unbeaten NFL teams (Colts,
Saints)...Ravens trying to avoid their first four-game losing streak since
dropping nine in a row in 2007...Broncos are 6-0 for the first time since
1998, when they won their first 13 en route to a 14-2 finish and Super Bowl
title...Denver quarterback Kyle Orton, who leads the NFL with a nine-to-one
touchdown-to-interception ratio, can join the Rams' Dieter Brock (1985) as the
only QBs since 1970 to win seven consecutive games to start a season in their
first year with a team...Denver has thrown a league-low one interception on the
season, and has committed an NFL-low-tying five total turnovers, along with
Green Bay...Broncos end Elvis Dumervil leads the NFL in sacks (10)...Denver
leads the league in scoring defense (11 points per game), opponents' third-down
conversion percentage (26.9), and is tied for the NFL lead in touchdowns
allowed (6) along with Indianapolis...Broncos cut punter Brett Kern and signed
veteran Mitch Berger on Monday...Ravens tackle Jared Gaither (neck) expected to
return.
Fast Fact: Including playoffs, the Broncos are 0-3 in road games against the
Ravens all-time, and haven't won in Baltimore since beating the Colts at
Memorial Stadium on Sept. 11, 1983.
Prediction: Ravens are desperate to pick up ground on the idle Bengals and
Steelers, and will force Denver into some uncustomary mistakes. Ravens 24,
Broncos 17.
---
Houston (4-3) at Buffalo (3-4), Sunday, 1:00 (Houston -3)
Storylines: Ryan Fitzpatrick, who led the Bills to a 20-9 win at Carolina last
week, to make his first home start in a Buffalo uniform in place of the
injured Trent Edwards (concussion)...Texans quarterback Matt Schaub leads the
NFL in passing yards (2074) and touchdown passes (16)...Houston receiver Andre
Johnson, who leads the NFL in receiving yards (634), expected to play despite
suffering a lung contusion in last week's win over the 49ers...Bills rookie
free safety Jairus Byrd has five interceptions in his past three games,
including four during Buffalo's two-game win streak, and Buffalo is tied for
the NFL lead in picks (13) along with New Orleans...Bills are last in NFL
rushing defense (172.4 yards per carry), yards allowed per carry (5.2), and are
tied for last in the league in 20-plus-yard rushes allowed (10) along with the
Raiders...Texans have forced an NFL-high nine lost fumbles...Bills punter Brian
Moorman is reigning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 45.0
yards on eight punts, including four inside the 20-yard line, in last week's
win over the Panthers.
Fast Fact: Bills safety Jairus Byrd is the first rookie with five interceptions
in a month since Bears safety Mark Carrier in Dec. 1990, and is the first
rookie with two picks in back-to-back games since Cowboys cornerback Everson
Walls in 1981.
Prediction: Bills' two-game win streak hasn't produced much offensive punch,
and Texans will test the Buffalo "D". Texans 17, Bills 12.
---
Cleveland (1-6) at Chicago (3-3), Sunday, 1:00 (Chicago -13.5)
Storylines: Bears, who have lost back-to-back games at the Falcons (21-14) and
Bengals (45-10), look to move to 3-0 at home...Chicago has won five straight at
home dating back to last season...Browns quarterback Derek Anderson is 23-of-70
passing with one touchdown pass and three interceptions over his last three
contests, but is expected to make his fifth straight start...Bears quarterback
Jay Cutler threw for a career-high 447 yards in a win over the Browns last
November...Status of Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris unknown after he was
a healthy scratch in last week's loss to the Bengals...Browns' Joshua Cribbs
leads the NFL in punt return average (16.4)...Cleveland's Blake Costanzo leads
the league in defensive fumble recoveries (3)...Browns are last in NFL total
defense (414.9 yards per game)...Browns tight ends Robert Royal
(illness/hamstring/finger) and Steve Heiden (knee) are both questionable for
Sunday...Cleveland kicker Phil Dawson (calf) questionable after missing the
past five games...Bears running back Adrian Peterson (sprained knee) not
expected to be in uniform.
Fast Fact: The Browns are 0-2 in Chicago since last winning there in 1969.
Prediction: Look for a bounce-back game from Cutler, who will find plenty of
holes in a poor Cleveland defense. Bears 35, Browns 14.
---
Seattle (2-4) at Dallas (4-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Dallas -9.5)
Storylines: Dallas, which has won two in a row, is a half-game behind the
Giants for NFC East lead as Week 8 begins...Cowboys pass rusher DeMarcus Ware
signed a six-year, $78 million contract extension on Monday...Seattle tackles
Walter Jones (knee) and Sean Locklear (ankle), and guard Rob Sims (ankle) all
questionable for Sunday...Veteran left tackle Damion McIntosh could make his
first appearance as a Seahawk after being signed two weeks ago...Defensive end
Patrick Kerney (groin), linebackers Lofa Tatupu (pectoral) and LeRoy Hill
(groin), and cornerback Marcus Trufant (back) all question marks for Seattle
defense...Dallas wideout Miles Austin has 16 catches for 421 yards and four
touchdowns in his last two games combined...Cowboys lead the NFL in yards per
carry (5.6)...Dallas is tied for last in the league in takeaways (7)...Cowboys'
Patrick Crayton is the reigning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after
scoring a touchdown on a 73-yard punt return in last week's win over the
Falcons...Return man Allen Rossum (hamstring) expected to miss Sunday's contest
for Dallas.
Fast Fact: Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips is 6-1 in his career against the
Seahawks.
Prediction: Cowboys picked up some major confidence against Falcons last week,
and will keep rolling offensively against depleted Seahawks. Cowboys 26,
Seahawks 10.
---
St. Louis (0-7) at Detroit (1-5), Sunday, 1:00 (Detroit -4)
Storylines: Rams are one of three remaining winless NFL teams (Buccaneers,
Titans), and are still seeking first win of the Steve Spagnuolo era...Rams have
lost 17 straight dating back to last season, and are 5-34 in their last 39
games dating back to 2007...Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (knee)
considered questionable after missing one start, and Daunte Culpepper
(hamstring) would likely start if Stafford can't go...Lions wide receiver
Calvin Johnson (knee) also questionable...St. Louis is last in NFL scoring
offense (8.6 points per game) and is one of two teams without a rushing
touchdown on the year (Kansas City)...Rams are last in the NFL in touchdowns
allowed (27), lost fumbles returned for touchdowns (3), opponents' third-down
conversion percentage (51.6 percent), and are tied for last in the league in
rushing touchdowns allowed (11) along with the Raiders...Lions are allowing
opponents to complete a league-high 74.2 percent of their pass attempts...Rams
placed cornerback Bradley Fletcher (knee) on season-ending injured reserve
earlier this week.
Fast Fact: The Rams are on pace to score 137 points, which would break the 1992
Seahawks' record for fewest points scored in a 16-game season (140).
Prediction: Rams will be fired up to take advantage of a real chance at a win,
but Lions are simply further ahead at this stage. Lions 27, Rams 22.
---
N.Y. Giants (5-2) at Philadelphia (4-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Philadelphia -2.5)
Storylines: Eagles can claim at least a share of first place in the NFC East
with a victory...First meeting between division rivals since Eagles' 23-11 road
win in an NFC Divisional Playoff this past January...Giants are 4-0 in regular
season games played in Philadelphia since last losing such a contest in 2004...
Eagles running back Brian Westbrook expected to play despite suffering a
concussion in Monday's 27-17 win over the Redskins...Giants right tackle Kareem
McKenzie (groin) considered questionable after missing last week's loss to the
Cardinals...Eagles lead the NFL in turnover margin (+11) and are tied for the
league lead in takeaways (18) along with the Saints...Giants lead the NFL in
total defense (262 yards per game)...Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes leads the NFL
in made field goals (16) and scoring (69 points)...Eagles wideout DeSean
Jackson is the reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Week after scoring
touchdowns off a 67-yard end-around and a 57-yard touchdown reception in
Monday's 27-17 win over the Redskins.
Fast Fact: Including playoffs, the Eagles defense has held New York Giants
quarterback Eli Manning to fewer than 200 passing yards in five of their last
six games against him.
Prediction: Something's been missing with the Eagles, and it is hard to
envision the Giants losing three in a row. Giants 19, Eagles 16.
---
San Francisco (3-3) at Indianapolis (6-0), Sunday, 1:00 (Indianapolis -12.5)
Storylines: Former No. 1 overall draft choice Alex Smith will start at
quarterback for 49ers for the first time since 2007 after nearly rallying 49ers
from a 21-0 halftime deficit in a 24-21 loss at the Texans last week...Colts
safety Bob Sanders expected to make his 2009 home debut after returning to the
field in last week's 42-6 win at St. Louis...Niners, who have lost three of
four, are one game behind NFC West-leading Cardinals...Colts trying to start
7-0 for the fourth time in the past five years...Colts quarterback Peyton
Manning leads the NFL in passer rating (114.5), and Indianapolis leads the
league in passing offense (310.8 yards per game), completion percentage (72.6),
and fewest sacks allowed (2)...49ers tight end Vernon Davis leads the league in
touchdown catches (6), three of which came in last week's loss at the Texans...
Colts have allowed the fewest touchdown passes in the NFL (2) and are tied for
the league lead in touchdowns allowed (6) along with the Broncos...Niners
placed tackle Tony Pashos (shoulder) on season-ending injured reserve earlier
this week and released linebacker Marques Harris.
Fast Fact: In his first career NFL start (Oct. 9, 2005), 49ers quarterback Alex
Smith completed 9-of-23 passes for 74 yards and four interceptions in a 28-3
loss to the Colts.
Prediction: Niners won't lay down for Peyton Manning, but the notion of Alex
Smith engineering a win in Indy seems far-fetched. Colts 28, 49ers 18.
---
Miami (2-4) at N.Y. Jets (4-3), Sunday, 1:00 (N.Y. Jets -3)
Storylines: Jets trying to avenge a 31-27 Monday night loss at the Dolphins in
Week 4...Miami seeking its first home-and-home sweep of New York since 2003...
Jets lead the NFL in rushing offense (184.9 yards per game) and rushes
of 20 yards or longer (11), and are the first team since Buffalo in 1975 to
amass 300-plus ground yards in back-to-back games...Dolphins lead the NFL in
third-down conversion percentage (53.8 percent), and are tied for the league
lead in rushing touchdowns (12) along with the Saints...Jets are the only team
in the league that has yet to allow a fourth-down conversion (0-of-7) on the
year...Dolphins have had a league-worst three interceptions returned for
touchdowns on the year, including two against the Saints last Sunday...Jets
placed running back Leon Washington (broken leg) on season-ending injured
reserve earlier this week, and re-signed kick returner Justin Miller...Dolphins
placed cornerback Will Allen (knee) on injured reserve and signed linebacker
William Kershaw on Tuesday.
Fast Fact: The Dolphins (24-17 win at New York last season) have not won back-
to-back road games against the Jets since 1996-97.
Prediction: Pivotal game for Mark Sanchez, who knows he can't afford another
clunker in front of the home fans. Jets 21, Dolphins 13.
---
Oakland (2-5) at San Diego (3-3), Sunday, 4:05 (San Diego -16.5)
Storylines: Quarterback JaMarcus Russell expected to start for Oakland despite
being benched at halftime of last week's 38-0 loss to the Jets in favor of
Bruce Gradkowski...Raiders have lost 12 in a row against the Chargers since
last beating them in 2003, including a 24-20 home loss in Week 1, and are 0-6
in San Diego since last winning there in 2002...Guard Robert Gallery (leg) and
running back Darren McFadden (knee) both question marks to return for
Oakland...Raiders are last in NFL total offense (220.9 yards per game), passing
offense (128 yards per game), completion percentage (47.5), touchdowns scored
(5), touchdown passes (2), and lost fumbles (10)...Oakland is tied for last in
the league in rushing touchdowns allowed (11) along with St. Louis, and tied
for last in 20-plus-yard rushes allowed (10) along with the Bills... Raiders
kicker Sebastian Janikowski is tied for the NFL lead in field goal percentage
(9-of-9, 100.0) along with the Redskins' Shaun Suisham...Oakland punter Shane
Lechler leads the NFL in gross punting average (52.2) and net average (45.0).
Fast Fact: Chargers head coach Norv Turner is 6-1 all-time against his former
employer the Raiders, including 5-0 since coming to San Diego.
Prediction: Chargers don't have that much more talent than the Raiders at this
point, but they do have a quarterback who knows what he's doing. Chargers 28,
Raiders 14.
---
Jacksonville (3-3) at Tennessee (0-6), Sunday, 4:05 (Tennessee -3)
Storylines: Tennessee has not revealed whether Kerry Collins or Vince Young
will start at quarterback...Titans trying to avoid their first 0-7 start since
the 1984 Houston Oilers started 0-10...Including playoffs, Titans have lost
eight straight games dating back to last season, their longest skid since
the Oilers dropped 11 in a row in 1994...Jacksonville defeated Tennessee,
37-17, at home in Week 4...Cornerback Cortland Finnegan (hamstring) expected to
return for Tennessee, and fellow defensive backs Nick Harper (arm) and Vincent
Fuller (arm) are question marks...Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis (finger)
questionable for Sunday...Jags last pulled off a home-and-home sweep of the
Titans in 2005...Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew is tied for the league
lead in touchdowns and rushing touchdowns (8) along with the Vikings' Adrian
Peterson...Titans are allowing an NFL-worst 33 points per game and are last in
the league in passing defense (310.7 yards per game) and touchdown passes
allowed (19)...Tennessee offense is last in NFL fourth-down percentage (12.5
percent)...Jaguars have recorded a league-low five sacks on the year...Titans
released punter Reggie Hodges and signed ex-Bronco Brett Kern on Tuesday.
Fast Fact: Jaguars wide receiver Torry Holt (101 yards against St. Louis) last
posted back-to-back 100-yard games in Weeks 8-9 of the 2007 season (vs. Browns,
Saints).
Prediction: Titans will take seven weeks of frustration out on the Jaguars, who
won't match Tennessee's intensity. Titans 31, Jaguars 13.
---
Carolina (2-4) at Arizona (4-2), Sunday, 4:15 (Arizona -10)
Storylines: Rematch of 2008 NFC playoff game, won by the Cardinals (33-13) in
a game in which Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme threw five interceptions...
Delhomme expected to start despite throwing four touchdown passes and an NFL-
worst 13 interceptions through the season's first six weeks...NFC West-leading
Cardinals are last in NFL rushing offense (60 yards per game), yards per carry
(2.97) and are the only team in the league without a rush of 20 yards or
longer...Carolina has committed an NFL-worst 21 turnovers, including a league-
high 14 interceptions overall, and is last in turnover margin (-14)...Panthers
lead the NFL in passing defense (149.7 yards per game) but are facing the
fewest pass attempts in the league (25.2 per game)...Carolina is tied for last
in the league in takeaways (7)...Cardinals lead the NFL in rushing defense
(67.5 yards per game) and yards allowed per carry (3.0), but have faced the
fewest rush attempts in the league (134)...Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson is
the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week after posting five tackles,
including two for loss, an interception, a fumble recovery and two passes
defensed in the Cardinals' 24-17 win at the Giants last week.
Fast Fact: The Cardinals are 0-5 in regular season play against the Panthers
since defeating them in Charlotte in 2002, and are 0-3 in home games against
Carolina all-time.
Prediction: Cardinals could come out flat following huge victory at the Giants,
but will flex their muscles when it matters. Cardinals 24, Panthers 16.
---
Minnesota (6-1) at Green Bay (4-2), Sunday, 4:15 (Green Bay -3)
Storylines: Brett Favre returns to Green Bay for the first time since being
traded by the Packers to the Jets prior to the 2008 season...Favre won 160
starts as a member of the Packers from 1992 through 2007...Vikings defeated
Packers, 30-23, in Week 4 and are vying for their first home-and-home sweep of
Green Bay since 2005...Packers, who allowed eight sacks against Minnesota in
Week 4, could have recently-signed right tackle Mark Tauscher in the lineup for
this first time this year...Left tackle Chad Clifton (ankle) a question mark
for Green Bay...Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield (foot) considered
questionable for Sunday after missing last week's loss to the Steelers...
Packers wins have come against teams that are a combined 5-28 on the year...
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is tied for the NFL lead in touchdowns and
rushing touchdowns (8) along with the Jaguars' Maurice Jones-Drew...Green Bay
has committed a league-low-tying five turnovers, along with the Broncos...
Minnesota has recorded an NFL-best 24 sacks...Vikings' Percy Harvin leads the
NFL in kickoff return average (29.8) and kickoff returns for touchdowns (2).
Fast Fact: The Vikings are 0-3 at Lambeau Field since last winning there in
2005, which is also the last time they swept a home-and-home versus Green Bay.
Prediction: Favre came back to the league precisely to experience this moment,
and won't allow the Packers to beat him at Lambeau. Vikings 20, Packers 17.
---
Atlanta (4-2) at New Orleans (6-0), Monday, 8:30 (New Orleans -10)
Storylines: Falcons looking to narrow gap in the NFC South to one game...
Saints, who are seeking first 7-0 start since 1991, are one of three remaining
unbeaten teams (Broncos, Colts)...New Orleans leads the NFL in total offense
(427.3 yards per game), scoring offense (39.7 points per game), touchdowns
(31), and are tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (12) along with
the Dolphins...Saints free safety Darren Sharper leads the NFL in interceptions
(6), interception return yards (317) and interception returns for touchdowns
(3)...New Orleans is tied for the NFL lead in takeaways (18) along with
Philadelphia, and is tied for the league lead in interceptions (13) along with
Buffalo...Saints are allowing opponents to complete a league-low 52.4 percent
of their passes...Falcons lead the NFL in fourth-down conversion percentage (4-
of-4)...Falcons placed safety William Moore (hamstring) on season-ending
injured reserve earlier this week and signed ex-Saints running back Aaron
Stecker...Atlanta running back Jerious Norwood (hip) questionable to return to
the field.
Fast Fact: The Falcons are 0-3 in series road games against the Saints since
beating New Orleans in San Antonio in 2005, and are 0-5 in New Orleans since
last winning there in 2002.
Prediction: Falcons are basically done in the division with a loss, but their
fire won't be enough to take down steamrolling Saints. Saints 27, Falcons 20.
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