Jackson Free Press

The New Orleans Saints had it all in front of them on Sunday. All they had to do was beat a below-average Washington Redskins team at home in front of a Dome-ful of their fanatic fans and the Saints would clinch the NFC South title and a first-round bye in the playoffs. The Saints couldn't do it, losing 16-10. The Saints won the NFC South, anyway, when Pittsburgh beat Carolina 37-3. But now the Saints have work to do if they want to get a week off before their first postseason game. But how good can the Saints feel when rookie QB Jason Campbell, a Taylorsville native, outperformed Saints signal-caller Drew Brees? The only question being asked about Campbell now is, why didn't the Redskins start him sooner?

Previous Comments

ID

118359

Comment

The Redskins looked good, but I'm concerned about some of the play calling. Was Bush sick? I haven't heard anything to suggest that he had the flu...it seems like they never established a two-back offense that could have set the Redskins back on their heels. They were defending well against Deuce, but he was getting positive yards...compare and contrast to the Chargers last night, where you saw them pound ahead with two backs to establish the run and then open up the offense for passing. And that last series? What's up with 3rd and 6 inside the 20 with 50 seconds left to go and you run a little flair out of the backfield? You've got two downs, two of the top 10 running backs in the country and a solid blocking back. Use 'em. Another problem...when the Saints lose, you can guarantee there were some dropped balls in there somewhere. The truth is, the defense actually stepped up in this one and it was the offense that let 'em down. There's good news in all this...a clinched division, a few lessons learned and maybe this loss will bring everyone to the practice field this week ready to look at the tapes on the Giants. But as one of the commentators noted, the Redskins and their "nothing to lose" defense may created some tape themselves on how to shut down the Brees machine.

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2006-12-18T09:52:54-06:00

ID

118360

Comment

Not scoring that other touchdown doomed the Saints for this game. The coach voodooed them. Possibly the Almighty got mad at them too. He likely said "y'all have been laughtingstocks for 40 years. I gave you the talent to beat miserably that other team self-titled - America's Team - but you decided to have unmerited and disgraceful mercy. For forsaking me you will back into winning the division and have a dubius future." You fans better pray.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-12-18T10:42:23-06:00