Saint quarterback Drew Brees and his team received the kick off in overtime after regular time expired with the score tied 23 - 23. But Brees turnover, an interception by the Rams gave the Rams good field position and a successful 57 yard field goal to send the Rams to the Super Bowl and end the Saints season.
It was a bitter defeat to a Saint team that New Orleans sports writers and sports show hosts predicted would go to the Super Bowl the past 6 weeks. The Saints had more than enough chances to put the Rams away, had to settle for 3 field goals inside the twenty and dropped a touchdown pass in the end zone in the first quarter Saints receiver Michael Thomas was held in check by the Rams defense and the Saints had less than 50 net yards rushing.
Times Picayune sports writer Jeff Duncan made a fool of himself in more than one article when he predicted the Saints to win the game by 13 points, that the Saints rushing attack would pound the Rams and open up Brees passing to burn them. Of course, none of that took place and the Rams actually outgained the Saints on the ground and in the air. The Saints defense also allowed the Rams to drive for the tying field goal in regulation time with only 1:41 minutes left on the clock.
Duncan also predicted the good times would roll for the Saints in the second half and that the fourth quarter would be one big black and gold party. Yeah, right, except it was a Ram party who outscored the Saints in the second half and then win in overtime. Part II will deal with all the hype of the past 6 weeks about the Saints going to the Super Bowl prematurely and all the stats that was supposed to support the claim which played no part in the outcome of the game. The Saints lost to the Rams at home and the stadium crowd noise was no factor. The Patriots won their game on the road.
NOTE: Sports writers reminded the fans all year long about Brees record setting performance but once again in the NFL, coach Bill Belichick and quarter back Tom Brady took their team farther than Payton and Brees took the Saints. Not only are the Patriots going to their third straight Super Bowl, Payton and Brees will never win as many world championships, conference titles, division titles, playoff games or have as many winning seasons as Belichick or Brady. In fact the Saints have only 3 winning seasons in the last seven years. Can any one remember the last time the Patriots had a losing season?
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
