Heartbreaker In Cheeseland - Another Saints 7-9 Season or Are Better Times Ahead?

Last night, the New Orleans Saints had a great opportunity.  They had the chance to break the streak of a defending Super Bowl champion winning the first game of the season in a Thursday night game.  Of course, the Saints beat Minnesota 14-9 last year in the same opening game.  However, they couldn’t capitalize on that opportunity and Green Bay won 42-34.

Why did the Saints lose?  If Marques Colston didn’t fumble on the Saints’ first drive, maybe that could have made the difference.  Or if Roman Harper and Malcolm Jenkins didn’t get so toasted by Packer receivers in the first quarter, maybe that could have changed the outcome.  If they could have just stopped Randall Cobb on that 108 yard kickoff return.  Or maybe it’s because the offensive line couldn’t get the job done on the last play of the game.  How about those missed tackles by the defense? 

The bottom line is that the Packers simply outplayed the Saints when it counted.  Aaron Rodgers was on fire for much of the game and gave the Saints defense fits.  They scored 21 points in the first quarter and the Saints weren’t able to overcome that obstacle.

When Green Bay led 14-0 and 21-7, a lesser team would have caved and packed it in.  However, the Saints are not a lesser team.  Drew Brees and the offense played like it was 0-0 and stayed in the game.  They refused to give up and made what could have been a blowout an exciting game that went down to the last play.  Last night's game could be classified as proof of why the last two Super Bowl MVPs earned that honor.  It was a record setting combined performance by both quarterbacks.  

By the way, congratulations to Donald Driver for tying James Lofton's team record for career receiving yards.

Although the Saints lost a heartbreaker, there were signs that this may be a better season for the team.  The running game has definitely improved, even though no back gained 100 yards.  Mark Ingram showed signs of why New Orleans moved up to draft him.  Pierre Thomas also played like he did in 2009 and averaged 6.2 yards per rush for the game. 

On the defensive side, there were also a few positives.  Nobody ran all over the defense like Marshawn Lynch did in last year's playoff game against Seattle.  They definitely missed Will Smith, but Turk McBride held his own and penetrated the backfield at times.  However, there were far too many missed tackles that turned out to be big gains and scores for Green Bay.

The last time New Orleans lost their season opener was in 2007, when the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts spanked them 41-10.  They finished that season at 7-9.  Will the Saints end up like they did in 2007, win the Super Bowl like they did in 2009, or something in between?  Only time will tell.