10 and 0hhhhhhhhhhhh!
The Saints moved to 10-0 for the first time in the 43-year history of the franchise with a 38-7 rout of the
Buccaneers on Sunday at Tampa.
Quarterback Drew Brees said his team can play even better after he threw for three touchdowns. "We
haven't peaked yet," said the quarterback. "The sky's the limit for this team. It can only get harder and
by no means are we going to sit back on what we've accomplished thus far. Every team we face from
here on out will be will wan to give us that first loss."
Two of Brees' touchdown passes went to receiver Robert Meachem and one went to tight end David
Thomas. Mike Bell rushed for two touchdowns as the Saints scored 34 unanswered points. The
Saints' defense recorded three interceptions and a forced fumble that the offense turned into 17
points.
The Saints increased their lead in the NFC South to five games as Atlanta (5-5) lost in overtime to the
Giants.
The Saints will go after victory No. 11 against New England in a Monday Night Football game at 7:30
"We're 10-0 and I like where we're at," said Saints coach Sean Payton. "A lot of guys stepped up today
and did a good job."
The Saints played without two injured starting cornerbacks (Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter) and were
missing starters Reggie Bush and Sedrick Ellis.
"Any time you can go on the road and win a division game it's big," said Payton. "We did a good job of
protecting the football and the defense came up with big stops and takeaways and the special teams
did a good job.of keeping very good return men in checks.
"I am pleased with the effort and the results. Now we'll turn our attention to to a very good New England
team that will be coming into New Orleans for a Monday night game."
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How the Tampa media saw the game
Ira Kaufman, tampatrib.com: "Anthony Hargrove was still strides away from the New Orleans locker
room when the majesty of the moment caught up with the veteran defensive tackle.
"That's 10," he said, raising his right arm in salute to a perfect start. "That's 10-0.
"This was the type of game we want to have ...total dominance," said veteran safety Darren
Sharper.after the Saints forced four turnovers and sacked Josh Freeman three times. "We wanted to
pressure Freeman and make him throw early. I guess we did,
"Outside linebacker Scott Fujita turned in the game's biggest play early in the second half with Tampa
Bay trailing 17-7
"I came from a long way to get there," said Fujita, who lined up on the right side and chased down
Freeman, forcing a fumble a the Tampa Bay 15. 'The Bucs came out ready to play today, so that was a
key turnover for us.'
"Lop-sided field position contributed to the route as New Orleans punter Thomas Morstead averaged
48.8 yards and the Saints boasted an average drive start as their own 39,compared to the 22-yard line
for Tampa Bay's 12 possessions.
"'We knew Tampa was going to give us their best shot,so we're happy with the result," saints right
tackle John Stinchcomb said. 'They are a division opponent we have a lot of respect for and they've
been playing better football the past few weeks.'
"Coach Sean Payton is now 12-0 when the Saints don't commit a turnover and New Orleans would
lock up the NFC's No. 1 playoff seed by winning out.
"Despite playing with five new starters Sunday, New Orleans made it look easy as David Thomas
became the 18th different Saint to score a touchdown this season.
"Eighteen guys - that's pretty impressive," Fujita said. 'We'd like to get some linebackers in that group.'"
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