0-2 Could be Worse

As I flip back to Auburn v K-State, leaving the Atl 35-0 first half TKO of Tampa Bay, mute the tv to rest my bilateral tympanic membranes from the tinnitus that is Jessie Palmer, I start to feel better about our 0-2 Saints.

The following will either sound like a rationalization of Yenlike contortions or a big giant glass of half full, but I get the feeling the Saints are about to go on a run.

Why?

Those hated Falcons.

Atlanta at home is like most NFL teams at home. Different. They are explosive offensively and opportunistic defensively. And they needed an end zone int from Drew Brees, an overtime Marques Colston fumble in FG range and two 50+ yard buzzer beaters to beat the Saints. Remember, this was Atlanta's season home opener. That cannot be understated. Also, this game was huge for the Falcons psyche. Had the Saints won, Atlanta's season would be toast. Even in victory, deep down in their minds, they know they got away with one. The rematch in December will put things back in order.

The Saints followed that heart stopping loss having to face yet another team's home opener. Again, this cannot be understated. This time it's Cleveland and the infamous Dog Pound. One of the NFL's best home field advantages. What happens? Home team plays like most home teams do in their season opener. At hyper-intensity, feeding off the crowd that's at a hemorrhagic fever pitch. Throw in some early bad field position and a Paul Kruger sack and your down 10 before Sean Payton's first pack of juicy fruit is unwrapped. A lesser team would've been blown out. But because the Saints are well coached, poised, and have veteran leadership, they were a coverage breakdown away from coming all the way back and winning.

Ohhh that Roger Goodell! Not only does he have his schedule makers put the Saints on the road for their first two games, but facing two home openers! Then, forces the Saints to wait until week three for their home opener!! Clearly his manhood envy with Sean Payton continues.

I'd say all and all, the Saints are looking about as good at 0-2 as you can possibly look.

Now the Vikings come to the M-B Superdome. With issues. On and off the field. Minus their hall of fame running back and starting a journeyman QB.  But the Saints are 0-2 and the Vikings have the their undivided attention. This is the Saints home opener. The Saints are 6-1 in home openers under Sean Payton. They will be 7-1 as Payton's boys will beat his friend Mike Zimmer's Vikings.

The Saints then have the Cowboys in Dallas, the NFL's worst home field advantage, and the Bucs at home, who are down 56-0 in the 3rd as I type. That's 3-2. Then a bye.

Then it's on.