Don't Forget the Saints in the NFC Playoffs

Don't forget about the New Orleans Saints when thinking about who will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Everyone wants to talk about Michael Vick or the Atlanta Falcons and are discounting last year's world champions.

Teams have started to figure Michael Vick out and the Eagles desperately miss deceased former defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. The Eagles simply do not have the defense to allow me to predict them as NFC Champions.

Atlanta had a chance to drop New Orleans down a peg in a big game last week and choked. Perhaps that was good for the Falcons to lose only the 2^nd home start of Matt Ryan's career. It was a good wakeup call for the Falcons to show them they need to prepare better for big games.

The New Orleans Saints are getting little respect but like the Colts, they are the team nobody wants to play. Drew Brees is probably the 3^rd best quarterback in football and only a rash of injuries kept the Saints from winning their division, probably. In Chris Ivory the Saints have a decent running back but like Philly I am not sold on their defense. But what the Saints defense does do is play well against the pass.

Of course the Chicago Bears could make a nice run if Jay Cutler can limit the turnovers. The Bears defense probably is the best in the NFC playoffs. Philly would secretly love to play in Atlanta in the NFC Championship Game. Home field is nice but Vick would love a chance to run on a non frozen field with no snow. I just think Atlanta is ripe for a loss in their first game, depending on the opponent.

My preseason prediction this year was for the Baltimore Ravens to play the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl. Since the Cowboys are out and I now think the Patriots will win the AFC, I predict a Saints/Patriots Super Bowl in Dallas. Just remember not to discount the New Orleans Saints in the NFC playoffs because they are a team than can get hot quickly.