Fat & Skinny Post- Week 14
The Saints backsides are still sore from the public ass-woopin last Monday. It was shocking. It was demoralizing.
And I’m over it. Seen it, done it, been there before, and served in my gumbo. The Saints are due to “crap the bed” once a year. And they soiled the bed this time. We’re still washing the sheets.
Anomaly? Maybe!
Rarity? Yes!
A window into how good the Seahawks are? Yes!
A window into how less than average the Saints can be, outdoors and on the road? Absolutely!
Some transparencies into how to victimize a Rob Ryan shake and gamble defence? Absolutely!
NFL’s new darlings and “media flavor of the week” the Panthers have strung together the NFL’s most talked about streak to this point in the season. It’s a good one, deserving all traditional golf claps and media buzz.
But like any streak, it’s aided by a lot of circumstance, and a little luck. And when you dissect this league weekly, even if you’re doing so over a cold beer in a urinal with a burnt out bookie in a Las Vegas off-strip sports book, you know that this streak means “JACK” in the grand scheme. What it does mean is the “who da thunk it” in us NFL junkies comes out weekly. Case-in-point:
• Think back to the Bill’s last second pick play TD that enshrined EJ Manuel. Great win for the Bills, but the game was overshadowed by how decimated Carolina’s secondary was after that game. The next week, all deductive reasoning would have said that the Giants, off to a miserable start and primed to “get off the shneide” with Eli torturing the above-mentioned empty and week Panther’s secondary. As the NFL path of randomness would have it, Panthers shutout Eli and Co. in an ass kicking of George St. Pierre proportions, thus slingshotting the Panthers into their current run.
•Weeks later, a questionable uncalled Luke Keuchly mugging of Gronk in the end zone on the last play of the game got the Panthers an unlikely road win. The play, at the very least, should have been a hold or illegal contact, necessitating another play. That play alone changed the season.
• Last week, a spearing job by Keuchly against the Dolphins at the end of the half negated a touchdown drive, which ultimately changed the final score, of course in the Panther’s favor.
• And, most telling, the Panthers have taken the ball away 17 times, forced 10 fumbles and recovered EVERY ONE.
I am not proclaiming the streak is lucky. What I am saying is that plenty of things, less randomness, have to go your way that do in fact aid a winning streak.
_________________________
Now let’s look at a more TELLING picture. Take a gander:
WHO DAT in PRIMETIME
Dec. 2, 2013 (Monday) DESTRUCTION
Nov. 10, 2013 (Sunday) – Saints 49, Cowboys 17
Sept. 30, 2013 (Monday) – Saints 38, Dolphins 17
Nov. 5, 2012 (Monday) – Saints 28, Eagles 13
Oct. 7, 2012 (Sunday) – Saints 31, Chargers 24
Jan. 7, 2012 (Saturday, postseason) – Saints 45, Lions 28
Dec. 26, 2011 (Monday) – Saints 45, Falcons 16
Dec. 4, 2011 (Sunday) – Saints 31, Lions 17
Nov. 28, 2011 (Monday) – Saints 49, Giants 24
Oct. 23, 2011 (Sunday) – Saints 62, Colts 7
Oct. 31, 2010 (Sunday) – Saints 20, Steelers 10
Sept. 9, 2010 (Thursday) – Saints 14, Vikings 9
Jan. 24, 2010 (Sunday, postseason) – Saints 31, Vikings 28, OT
Dec. 19, 2009 (Saturday) – Cowboys 24, Saints 17
Nov. 30, 2009 (Monday) – Saints 38, Patriots 17
Nov. 2, 2009 (Monday) – Saints 35, Falcons 27
Nov. 24, 2008 (Monday) – Saints 51, Packers 29
All things historically would lead to a similar Saints romp over a divisional opponent that says it’s “not” scared, or even mildly concerned with the Saints, the Dome advantage, the WHO DAT NATION.
Last week, we vomited stat after stat in the Fat & Skinny Post. I won’t do it here. But I will say this because I have issues.
After Cam Newton Oscar nominated DIVE, the smirk on Newton’s face made my blood boil. See here.
Nothing would please WHO DAT NATION more than to see Drew throw for 400 yards to 12 different receivers; Ryan’s D sack Newton 6 times and pressures him another 10; the Dome sets a new indoor noise record; and all in all WIPE THAT FREAKING SMIRK off Newton’s smug face.
If you’re drunk by Sunday night, bet on that. If you spend the remainder of Sunday over-analyzing this game, don’t!
After a bowl of gumbo, some crawfish etouffee, and 3 Abita Beer,
Saints 109, Panthers 10
Wait…
Charles “Home wrecker” Johnson, and D’Angelo Williams will play. RT Zack Strief “may” play. He may not! That is a major issue for the Saints. Check the injury status later tonight.
Also, internally, this game is more of litmus test for the Saints than last Monday was. Take that to the bank.
Take this to the bank also: flawed teams win the Super Bowl. How good are the Panthers? And I must ask a question that will be answered tonight, how good are the Saints?
A short week of Saints prep for Cam + a Panther’s D playing top drawer + Panther stars returning + Panther’s crap does not stink right now + things, regardless of the above-listed prime time record, are JUST NOT RIGHT in NOLA right now…so….
SAINTS 28, PANTHERS 25
