Cards and Saints

This game should answer some questions about what playing poorly to close out the end of the season will do to a football team. For much of the season the Saints were considered the best team in the league, until they played the Cowboys. To be fair the game didn't mean nearly as much to the Saints as it did the playoff hopeful 'Boys. The Saints went on to lose their next two games, but each became less meaningful than the previous.

What the Saints have going for them Saturday is the Who Dat nation. The advantage of playing at home is that even with a slow start the momentum can swich quickly. The Saints are full of play makers and can score from anywhere on the field, special teams, and even defense. Drew Brees will play with a chip on his shoulder to prove that he, and the Saints are for real. "The gate, is narrow!"

The Cardinals are coming off one of the best games in playoff history. I've decided that the only way it could have been better was if Aaron Rodgers would have hit that pass at the start of OT. Had he, the story would be about the little known, underrated quarterback out dueling the Wizard - Kurt Warner. But alas he'll have to wait his turn while the veteran Warner takes his team into the Superdome. I've been inside the Superdome and it's like you're at an MMA fight. You feel the crowd wanting to rush the field as much as the players. Warner will have to deal with a lot of noise it will be a factor.

Rumor has it Anquan Boldin isn't going to play again. I wonder if he decided to bail on the Cardinals for the postseason because of his contract dispute. College coaches do it all the time before bowl games. I'm not sure if they can go all the way without Boldin, but even without him they might have the best receiving group second if only to the Saints.

I expect another game like that Cards and Pack last week. High scoring and fast pace. The Cardinals will have to take advantage of every drive early. The Saints just need to find their groove before halftime and they'll be fine. Although I want to see the Cards red uniforms one more week, I have this feeling we may see Kurt Warner self destruct in his last NFL game. And by self destruct, I don't meant vintage, 3 fumbles and 3 interception Kurt Warner, but a couple late turnovers to ice it. The more I think about it, the more I want to see Brees defeat his former team and replacement the ever annoying Philip Rivers.