Time to Step Up Heading into Last Week of Regular Season 

We are 13-2 after a tough loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs on our home field in overtime. The Bucs were able to drive down the field in overtime and kick a field goal, winning 20-17. This was an especially tough game because this was the first time we were not able to finish when we had the lead. It is definitely disappointing to not be able to finish the game while we had the lead. That has been our staple all year long: finishing strong and guaranteeing a victory. The past two weeks have been very humbling for me and this Saints team. The crazy thing about the NFL is that no matter what week it is or what the record of the other team may be, either team can win the game. We have witnessed this facet of the NFL on a first hand basis unfortunately, but we will keep playing strong football this week and into the playoffs. I don’t think the past two losses will hinder us from reaching our ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl, but this has definitely been a humbling experience for the Saints organization. It serves as a reality check and motivation booster going into the playoffs.

We will prepare hard this week, as we have throughout the season, to face a tough Carolina Panthers team. Carolina has played extremely well the past two weeks, beating top NFC teams in the Giants and Vikings. Carolina is coming off a very strong performance against the NY Giants. They are missing a few key starters, but Jonathan Stewart and the rest of the Panthers’ offense have performed very well recently. Carolina can be very tricky to stop, but we will prepare to come out strong and finish off the regular season with a win.

We have played below our capabilities the past two weeks, but our opponents have also played very well in their attempts to knock off the top team. We are the team to beat, so the criticism and skepticism comes with the territory when we lose. We watched film today and studied ways to improve next Sunday against Carolina. I definitely believe the Panthers are capable of another upset victory if we do not come out strong and play up to the level of Saints football we are used to. Even without their starting QB Jake Delhomme, their backup QB Moore has played well in his place. They have a strong running game and a strong defense that forces a lot of turnovers. This will be another important challenge for us, especially since they are a divisional opponent; they know us well and we know them well.

I would like to pass along good luck to the Miami Hurricanes tomorrow night in the Champs Sports bowl game against Wisconsin. I will be tuned in to cheer on the Hurricanes to a bowl victory. I believe that a major key to a Miami victory is to get the running game going early on. Hopefully we will be able to come away with the big win.