Today’s game against the Chargers, is the biggest game of the year for the New Orleans Saints
By Dean Mullen
This is week four. Usually, there is not much talk of a must win game this early in the year. Most teams are still finding their identity in the first quarter of the season. Unfortunately, the Saints to do not have that luxury this time around. And this one game could signify a change in one direction or another for years to come.
So let’s throw the facts out of the way first. Since 2012, out of 183 teams since 2012 only one has made it to the playoffs. Ironically, that team happened to be the San Diego Chargers. So knowing that fact alone, if Drew Brees wants to be the eternal optimist, he can only point to that team for giving a precedent.
For most of the regular Who Dats, the season will be officially over as far as dreams of going into the playoffs in 2016. So if that happens what next? That is the million dollar question. The one other unique challenge presenting itself is the bye week after this week’s game. If we lose, there will be two weeks of non stop sweltering harsh rhetoric that will come from every direction. If we win, there is hope at least for another two weeks.
To make things clear though, Sean Payton IS NOT going anywhere. Neither is Mickey Loomis. Who Dat Nation can get out all the loudspeakers and bull horns they want, those men aren’t going anywhere. However, there will be an overhaul. There simply has to be. What that will entail is anyone’s guess. The NFL is all about wins and losses. Three losing seasons in a row will put heat on anyone.
It gives me no delight in seeing that scenario play out. The memories of the Saints are still fresh in my mind from the 70’s and 80’s. That’s a place that I simply do not want to go to. The team simply needs to go out and bang out a win. Do you know how many negative stories that will come out in the next two weeks? Everyone from Uncle Joe and Grandma Mary will have a soapbox in every corner of New Orleans.
To be honest, I’m really not looking forward to that at all. So guys just win one for yourselves today. Forget about everything on the outside. If what Drew Brees says is true, then the Saints will win today. Trust is still in Drew Brees. My prediction: Saints 45 Chargers 38. My trust is in Brees. That’s it…