Will Sunday’s Game Be a Trick or Treat?

New Orleans could be a scary place for Steelers fans if the Saints can get their running game in a rhythm similar to that of the Tampa Bay game. However, this past Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns (who at the time had only one win this season) seemed like déjà vu compared to the Arizona game two weeks ago.  The running game was nowhere to be found and Drew Brees threw 4 interceptions in the game.  Two of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns.  If you do not factor in the interceptions, Brees had an impressive day with 356 yards passing, 2 touchdowns, and 37 out of 56 completions.  Brees was quoted during the post game conference saying, “We outscored the Browns had it not been for those two touchdown returns.”

Fantasy owners of Marques Colston were glad to finally see him make it into the end zone this season.  He had an impressive game with 10 receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown.  Chris Ivory led the team in rushing with 48 yards.  Looking forward to this week’s game against the Steelers, it is going to be a tough one. If Drew Brees is your starting quarterback, then he is a safe bet and consistent scorer since even in his worst games, he seems to make up for negative interception points with excessive passing yards.  I think Colston will get double teamed this game so I look for Lance Moore to get the bulk of the receptions, with Meachem  being a close second to Moore.  Although the Saints running game looked great against Tampa Bay, I’m not as confident in the running attack against the Steelers run defense.  Chris Ivory has looked good but they are primarily using him as a ‘between the tackles runner’ and not throwing any screen passes (which I believe he could really take advantage with a full head of steam.)  If Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush make their return this week, I might feel better about the Saints running game. However, if they are sidelined again, I would not start any of the Saints running backs.

Although this past week’s game was a major upset, I feel there is a possibility that the Saints still have a chance to win the NFC South. With the possible return of Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush in week 8, and having Darren Sharper back at safety, I think the Saints will make a post season push starting this week in the Dome against a very good Steelers team.  If we are able to win this  game at home on Halloween, this could be the perfect cure for the mediocre season we’ve had thus far. So, Saints fans, get out your voodoo dolls and put a pin in the arm of number seven. We’ll need all the luck we can get in this game.