Saints and Colts

There was no doubt that the New Orleans Saints were prohibitive favorites to win their Sunday night matchup versus the Indianapolis Colts. Without QB Peyton Manning(notes), the Colts have been a shell of their former selves in 2011. Still, the Colts have played most of their opponents tough and QB Curtis Painter(notes) has been steadily improving each week. However, the Saints made the Colts look like a UFL team as New Orleans crushed Indianapolis 62-7.

Saints fast start

As a Saints fan, I am always frustrated that New Orleans rarely puts away lesser opponents early on. Usually, the Saints still come out on top. However, I'm sure the close games have caused a lot of indigestion and heartburn throughout Who Dat nation. Fortunately, the Saints jumped all over the Colts early and the game was already out of reach by the end of the first quarter.

How dominant were the Saints in the first quarter? The 21 points that the Saints posted on the Colts defense are the most first quarter points that New Orleans has scored in franchise history. Not only that, but the Colts did not even force New Orleans into any third down plays in the first quarter!

Saints dominate the Colts

I'm sure the media, analysts and experts will focus on the fact the Colts are still winless without Manning. However, my spin on this game is the atrocious performance of the Colts defense. Of course, the Colts are not the first team to get lit up by Drew Brees(notes). However, Brees' dissection of the Colts defense looked almost effortless. With all due respect, anyone who blames this Colts loss on Painter is delusional.

In my opinion, this was the most complete performance by the Saints in franchise history. I have to admit that I was surprised that New Orleans didn't let up on the Colts in the third quarter. In fact, RB Mark Ingram(notes) did sustain an injury in the fourth quarter. Of course, it would have been worse if Brees had stayed in the game and gotten hurt. By the time it was over, the Saints had dismantled the Colts 62-7.

Looking ahead

With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the Chicago Bears in London, the Saints have taken over sole possession of first place in the NFC South. Next up, the Saints get the pleasure of facing another winless team, the St. Louis Rams. I expect the Saints to get a stiffer test from the Rams than they did against the Colts, but New Orleans should still come out on top.