In the land of Who Dat, it just does not get any better than Dat. Quarterback Drew Brees outgunned League MVP Peyton Manning and led the perennial also-rans to an upset over the unflappable, battle tested Colts in a remarkably well-played game. The relatively penalty-free battle was NFL Offensive football at its best.

Just when it seemed the last team to touch the ball would win, Tracy Porter did the unthinkable. The fleet defensive back boldly cut in front of Manning’s favorite receiver, Wayne Howard, and sprinted 74 yards to thwart a Colt comeback rally and decide the game.

This was no fluke. The Saints appeared the more aggressive team, a team willing to play outside the box, a team ready to take chances and take no hostages. The notoriously weak Saints defense played plenty tough. Obviously well-prepared, the normally porous unit, kept Manning guessing and seemed to anticipate his every move.

This game boiled down to Brees’ faultless execution of coach Sean Payton’s game plan and the defense’s ability to mix the pace and coverage against Manning. The Saints simply took charge of the ball from the second quarter on. With long drives, they effectively took the ball out of Manning’s hands.

The winner’s aggressive style was highlighted by a successful onside kick to start the second half. The stunned Indianapolis Colts Drew Brees, Wayne Howard, Payton, Pierre Thomas, Indianapolis Colts never really got back on their feet. They often seemed to be off balance and wondering what was coming next.

It was quite a reversal from the first quarter when Manning clicked on a touchdown and Matt Stover connected on a 38-yard field goal. The Saints only ran 9 offensive plays in the quarter and trailed 10-0.

The Saints took control in the second quarter allowing Manning only three offensive six offensive plays. Garret Hartley connected on one of his three 40+ yard field goals to pull the Saints within 4 at 10-6.

Little did the Colts know it, but Head Coach Payton, had them right where he wanted them. Just as he had done in the first half when he gambled unsuccessfully on a fourth and one, the Saints boldly went for an onside kick. To the surprise of the stunned capacity Miami crowd, New Orleans recovered the fumbled kick. Moments later, Brees finally struck paydirt on a beautifully executed 16 yard catch and run play to Pierre Thomas that gave the Colts their first lead at 13-10.

Manning promptly marched the Colts down the field on another sustained drive. Running back Joseph Addai, who led all rushers with 77 yards, stormed in from four yards out to regain the Colts lead. It was a typical Manning answer to a challenge.

But, this Saints team did not blink. Hartley booted another field goal to pull within one and then the Saints forced the Colts to punt. The defenses began to assert themselves as the game entered the fourth quarter with the Indianapolis Colts up 17—16. Manning seemed to be under more pressure than Brees, who moved well in the pocket to buy extra time.

At the six-minute mark, Brees hit reliable tight end Jeremy Shockey for a two touchdown. After a ruling reversal, the Saints were awarded a 2-point conversion to build a seven-point lead at 24-17.

But, there were five minutes left and Manning has been there before. Instead of playing it safe, the Saints secondary began to take chances. Porter almost picked off a pass headed for Howard but couldn’t handle it. Using a variety of short passes and down the middle strikes, the Colts seemed headed for the end zone.

Meanwhile Porter was reading Howard like a book. Like his gambling coach, he went for the pick and sealed the game with his scoring dash and let the good times roll.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Jacksonville Jaguars
These are two of the most physical teams in the NFL and you should look forward to a smash mouth game. Defense will be the name of the game and the game will be one by the QB who manages to move the ball in key situations. The Steelers are banged up in the back field, which will force Rothlisberger to beat the Jags through the air. The Jags win games with defense and a solid running game, and they will have to follow that game plan to win this week. Both these teams have had a tough start playing a lot of close games and being in stressful situations. This will be a low  scoring game and if you like to watch good defense this will be he game for you this week. I am concerned about the running game in Pittsburgh and I think if Jags QB David Garrard can avoid big mistakes the Jaguars will win this game. The game will be low scoring and will be won in the fourth quarter. My pick is the Jags, by maybe just a field goal.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Denver Broncos
An NFC South match up, both team are 3- 1 and will be looking to be first in the division at weeks end. This is a game about momentum, the Bucs are coming off a big win against Green Bay while the Broncos had a surprising loss last week. Both the teams QB’s have been playing very well and they will be looked at lead there respective teams to victory this week. Denver is off to a good start, but not because of there defense who are near last in almost every category. Denver will have to be extremely better then they were last week, if they want to have a chance on Sunday. Look for the Bucs to run the ball with Graham and Dunn all day, and make Denver’s poor defense try to stop them. For Denver to win they will need a big game out of Cutler and some turnovers on defense. I am not sold on Denver and think Tampa will win this game easily. Look for Ernest Graham to have a big game, but the key for the Bucs will be whether or not Griese can take care of the ball at QB. The Buccaneers will win and take control of the NFC South for the rest of the year.

Tennessee Titans vs Baltimore Ravens
The Titans are off to a 4 -0 start and will be looking to prove to the league that they are real contenders. Baltimore is 2  – 1 and are led by one of the leagues best defenses. The Titans defense is also very good, and this game looks like it will be low scoring affair. The Titans get a lot of pressure on the QB led by Albert Haynesworth, which might mean trouble for Ravens rookie Joe Flacco. To get some pressure off Flacco look for the Ravens to run a lot and if they do throw look for short passes and bootlegs. I don’t think the Ravens will score a lot of points so the key there success will be stop the Titans on offense. The Titans will also look to run the ball a lot, but they will take some deep chances to stretch the field. I think the Titans will be 5 -0 after this week, I just don’t like Flacco playing against the Tennessee defense. There won’t be a lot of points in this one and the team that runs the ball the best will win the game.

Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints
Monday night game this week and it should be a high scoring affair. The Saints lead the league in passing yards and attempts. The Vikings defense is 17th against the pass and the Saints QB Drew Brees will look to take advantage of that. Minnesota will try and slow this game down by running the ball a lot with Adrian Peterson. Peterson should be able to have a big game, the Saints defense is 20th against the run so far. These team have contrasting styles on offense and the winner will have to figure the other one out to win. The Saints will throw the ball all over the field and Peterson will have a great day. Look for Peterson to have a fantastic day along with Brees from the Saints. My pick is the Saints to win in a shoot out, if you like offense you will like this game. If the Saints want to win they cannot allow Minnesota to have any success throwing the ball, Peterson is going to get his yards, but do not let them get big plays threw the air.

In 2000, the Saints finished tied for first in the NFC West with a 10-6, thirty-three years after the Saints came into the NFL they finally won a playoff game defeating the St. Louis Rams 31-28 in the first round. The Saints would lose to the Minnesota Vikings in the next playoff game 34-16 but all things considering the Saints past, it was a very successful season. After a drought of five seasons with mediocre success and a 3-13 record in 2005, the Saints came alive in 2006 winning the NFC South with a 10-6 record. With additions like play maker Reggie Bush, wide receiver Marques Colston, and productive quarterback Drew Brees, the Saints made their way to the NFC Championship game. The Saints defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round 27-24 it what was a considered a upset by most. The Saints would lose to the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship game 39-14 but this was by far the most successful season in the Saints franchises history.

The New Orleans Saints have had their share of talents players despite their mediocre success throughout their history which include quarterback Archie Manning, wide receiver Joe Horn, fullback Lorenzo Neal, running back Ricky Williams, defensive end Doug Atkins, and kicker Morton Anderson.

The Saints also award a member of the organization with the Joe Gemelli “Fleur De Lis” Award for outstanding contributions to the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints play in the NFC South which is a “flip-flop” division with each team winning the division the last five seasons. The Saints would like to build on their 2006 season and take the next step and reach the Super Bowl in franchise history. The Saints have the outright support of their fans through many years of disappointing seasons. Nothing would please the party town of New Orleans more then with a Super Bowl victory.