After the 0-3 start, I completely wrote off the New Orleans Saints.
At 1-4, I assumed the Saints could start planning who to take with the seemingly-imminent top-five pick they would receive in the 2016 NFL Draft.
There was just one small problem with my rationale: I didn’t anticipate the dramatic resurgence on the horizon. Saints fans, it’s time to “Stand Up and Get Crunk” because this team is something to be excited about once again.
Just when I was wondering why the Saints didn’t blow it up after last season, they’ve made me look like a fool by scoring 110 points in their last three games on the way to three straight victories.
The offense showed signs of life against the Falcons and the Colts, but against the New York Giants on Sunday, it was the unstoppable force NFL fans grew to fear over the last decade.
And finally, Drew Brees looks like he’s 32 again.
Sunday’s thrilling 52-49 win against the Giants was the best I’ve ever seen Brees play, and I’ve seen him perform borderline miracles.
Brees finished the game with 511 yards and seven (that is not a mistake) touchdowns. The Vikings, 49ers and Cowboys haven’t thrown seven touchdowns this entire season. Brees completed passes to nine different receivers, another staggering statistic.
It was a vintage display, making me wonder if somebody threw me in a time machine to 2011 without me realizing it.
Sure, there are still serious question marks about the defense, which is one of the worst in the NFL. But New Orleans’ offense is to starting to mask some of the defense’s inadequacies just like the good old days.
The Saints defense must improve to hang with teams like Denver, New England and Green Bay.
However, if the offense is firing on all cylinders like it was on Sunday, the Saints will be able to beat most of the teams remaining on their schedule with ease.
Seriously, I’ll be surprised if the Saints aren’t able to make the playoffs from their current position. I’ll concede there is almost no chance New Orleans can chase down Carolina for the NFC South crown. But a 10-6 finish and a wild card spot isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
New Orleans only has two games remaining against teams that are currently at .500 or better (Atlanta and Carolina), so the Saints get six of their remaining eight games against teams with a losing record.
With a favorable schedule and an on-fire Brees, the Saints have a chance to make some noise in the NFC.
Jack Woods is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Ruston, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @Jack_TDR.