Saints get defensive in win against Carolina
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10/4/09:The Saints moved to 8-0 for the first time in the 43-year history of the
franchise by coming from behind for the third straight week to beat Carolina 30-20 on
Sunday in the Superdome.
The victory solidified their stranglehold on first place in the NFC South. The Saints
lead the Falcons (5-3) by three games and the Panthers (3-5) by five with a victory
over each.
Drew Brees overcame two early turnovers and passed for 330 yards and a touchdown
for the tight-rope walking Saints.
"This win was great," said the quarterback. "I mean, 1967 until now and we're the only
Saints team to have done that (8-0). That's really something special. I feel like we've
got a special group of guys, a special team., and we're not satisfied with just being
8-0. We have what it takes to continue to win."
The Saints have a favorable schedule the next two weeks. They go to St. Louis and
Tampa Bay, who are a combined 2-14 this season. The Saints should be 10-0 when
New England comes to the Superdome for a Monday night game.
"I'm encouraged with the fact that we've been able to to win a few of these games and
we haven't played our best football," said Saints coach Sean Payton in his postgame
discussion. "I don't know if we're paying a lot of attention to where the record is at the
halfway mark and how it compares to past teams. There hasn't been a real Rich
history here in regards to successful football."
Payton on this victory: "We hung in there in the second half. The kicking game won
that battle and that was significant for us. We hung around offensively and got some
things going. It's good to get the win. There are a lot of things we can improve on."
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How others saw Saints-Panthers
Andrew Perloff, SI.com: "1. Have there ever been less scary 8-0 teams than New
Orleans or Indianapolis? What is New Orleans' signature win?
"The Saints beat the Eagles without Donovan McCain, reeling Giants and Jets teams,
and a Falcons squad that can't play on the road. And they had to come from behind
against slightly below-average Miami and Carolina..
"The Colts are cutting it close against middle-of-the=road competition and head into
the difficult part of their schedule with some question marks -- namely, their lack of
running game and inexperienced defensive backfield."
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