Here is the GOOD NEWS about our loss

[Xanthri]

Yes, I hate to lose....but honestly I was more worried about winning this game today.

1. It is hard to beat a team three times in the same division.....when teams have met three times the result is usually 2-1 (I think this holds especially true with us and the saints)

2. We had no injuries today. Always a BIG Plus

3. We now get to start a new winning streak, starting with the Panthers....beat them and we only have to string 3 more in a row to hoist the trophy (absolutely doable)....how many teams have stung 8 or 9 wins in a row only to get beaten in the playoffs? (the answer would probably surprise you...) and of course NE went 18 straight before losing to a NYG team they beat easily in the regular season.

4. Shows we can slip at home, makes everyone in the locker room believe they have to work harder to get the win in the playoffs

5. We got a few turnovers off our back, if we take care of the ball better that is a 14 point swing in our favor.....1st fumble led to 7 pts for NO, 2nd fumble kept us from scoring 7 (for saints fans even taking off the Brees pick 6.....7 pts would have still gave us the winning score)

6. Officiating while good for 3/4 of the game was horrendous at the end (that spot was criminal and i still believe should be reviewed (which was why Smitty called a timeout hoping the replay official would review it - in final two minutes it is the replay official that makes that determination)

7. Our Defense PLAYED GREAT

8. Our offense sucked in the huddle, but moved ball relatively well in no huddle (we need to stay in the no huddle)

9. Smitty made a bad punt call at the end of the game (if he had a do over, my bet is he lets Matty go to town)

10. Jenkins proved he has great hands and is a go to third down guy especially on the slant play.....they could not defend him for less than 3-4 yards and often it stretched out to 5-6

11. Tempers flared and despite the Saints trying to get Roddy out of his game and get a stupid personal foul.....he showed restraint (my bet is we won't hear a peep from him until after we beat the Saints the next time around......and WE WILL WIN)

The truth is we needed to lose to point out a few faults and so we could refocus our efforts.....my thought is the Panthers will put us back on track and a winning note. I think the next meeting will likely not be so close and the Falcons will be extra motivated. Just remember We only need to win 4 to hoist our trophy......