how did this win happen?

[Evodion]

Offensive Line stepped up, J stew played basically the whole game and didn't have to flip flop with Deangelo  killing momentum, Defense played great, and the Saints just didn't show up. We played Extremely well, and the Saints bombed. Special Teams, and Rivera's clock management did not improve however, and that's still a major problem.

[FootballMaestro]

I didn't watch but my best guess is Rivera was told he was going to be fired at the end of the month and so that is when he decided to coach.

 

Let's hope this is true, God Almighty (the Rivera getting fired part that is)!!

 

[teeray]

Because we aren't as bad as we think we are... BUT we also aren't as good as most of us thought we were preseason.

We finally played both offense and defense for once

Cam showed why he is the future

Brees showed why he is the past.

Lastly... we got in a fight. We played like poo against the Falcons, then got in a fight and dominated (too little too late). Then we got in a fight today and dominated.

We just need to fight everyone before or early each game

Problem solved

[FootballMaestro]

Because we aren't as bad as we think we are... BUT we also aren't as good as most of us thought we were preseason.

We finally played both offense and defense for once

Cam showed why he is the future

Brees showed why he is the past.

Lastly... we got in a fight. We played like poo against the Falcons, then got in a fight and dominated (too little too late). Then we got in a fight today and dominated.

We just need to fight everyone before or early each game

Problem solved

 

This why, Rivera taking "The Fight" out of his team, with his poor decisions not to go for it and the win in Cincy, etc., is a costly but often overlooked aspect of this team. It appears the team, just coasted, didn't believe in themselves, the coaching after that game.

 

Rivera, just knows how to take the fight out of them on a regular basis (remember Greg Hardy, telling Matt Ryan "Get The F*CK off our field back, and Rivera scolded him for doing it)!? WTF!?

 

Anyway; pardon my digression. Lol

 

[Camp Fodder]

We can't lose sight of the fact that the saints were 5-7 coming into this game and just not very good. We out played a team that was no better than us.

We didn't just beat the Packers.

no but this saints team beat the packers by 20

Just sayin

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Amazing what happens to this offense when Cam has ample protection, a useful running game, and good play selection. 

[mc52beast]

Seems that this usually happens once the season is basically over... Look at our history.

[Pimpdaddy]

...there's some talk that Shula sat on a pencil and was unable to make the play calling.

[MadHatter]

Amazing what happens to this offense when Cam has ample protection, a useful running game, and good play selection.

I would classify 270 yards rushing as a little more than useful.

The running game was the big difference in this game. It really opens up the play book and gives cam time to throw.

[London Loves Luke]

You only need to watch the first half. We successfully used the option for the first time since the bengals game. Then, unlike the bengals game, our secondary balled out. From then had the saints guessing on option for the rest of the first half.

[KJ89]

For one thing I don't think Shula was even involved this game.

[332nd]

I didn't watch but my best guess is Rivera was told he was going to be fired at the end of the month and so that is when he decided to coach.

"Oh I'm fired!?! Well then fug your draft position! !!"

[ThPantherFan]

It looked like the Panthers from last year.  They played well.  Why?  Who knows.

[Anybodyhome]

Two early turnovers to the Panthers and the Saints are pretty fugging bad.