Saints mania continues as team pulls off another dramatic win

For the second-straight week, the Saints’ unbeaten streak was hanging in the balance with less than two minutes to play.

With the Black and Gold holding a three-point lead late on Sunday, the Falcons had the ball on a fourth-and-2 play at the New Orleans’ 46-yard-line.

The odds seemed to be potentially in Atlanta’s favor. The Falcons had nearly 400 yards of total offense on the day and their quarterback Chris Redman had just surpassed 300 yards passing for the afternoon against New Orleans’ depleted secondary that is missing both its starting cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter.

But like they’ve done all season, the Saints’ defense came up big with their backs against the wall and linebacker Jonathan Vilma made a first-down-saving tackle on Atlanta’s fourth down pass to give the Saints a 26-23 win and a perfect 13-0 record.

“Credit the corners and the safeties,” Vilma said of his fourth down play. “They locked down the outside options and my read took me to the guy coming out of the backfield and I was able to time the hit up as soon as he caught it.”

Vilma also had a key interception in the fourth quarter that thwarted a Falcons’ drive and said the team’s recent close calls are not of concern with the playoffs nearing.

“Why would we be concerned?” he asked. “We’re 13-0. You’re not going to get many blowout wins in the NFL.”

With the winning streak saved again, the Saints continue what has been an iconic season for the franchise that has made most of its history because of a lack of success on the field.

The Saints have become a larger-than-life figure in the state, sending fans into Who Dat Mania all across Louisiana.

Fans piled up to greet the team on Sunday night as their charter flight landed down at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

The team has also reached the House Floor of United States government.

Last week, U.S. Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-LA) asked his constituents to give 200-word statements about how the Saints are positively impacting New Orleans. Cao said he then plans to pick one each week to read to the House floor.

“America loves underdogs and this is a super story about an underdog team and an underdog city,” said spokesman Princella Smith. This is a complete 180 for this team.”

America’s underdogs will return to the field on short rest Saturday and will take on America’s Team, the 8-5 Dallas Cowboys, in what might be the Saints’ final serious test of the regular season.

The game will be broadcast on the NFL Network and kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m.

Recent history says the Saints may be in good shape, though, as New Orleans has averaged more than 36 points per game in their six home games this season.

Following Saturday’s game, the Saints will play the Panthers and Buccaneers, who both have losing records on the season.

The Saints will then head to the playoffs where they will likely have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

Quarterback Drew Brees said regardless of how this season ends, he will always remember it for the magical ride it has become for everyone across Louisiana.

“This means a lot to us,” he said. “These kind of years don’t come around very often.”