The Saints really hurt themselves with this loss yesterday as they are now a real longshot to make the playoffs.  Drew Brees completed 30 of 45 passes 289 yards with a interception.  Aaron Stecker didn’t have his best game as he carried the ball 13 times for 49 yards (3.8 ypc) with 2 TD runs and he also caught 4 passes for 35 yards (8.8 avg).  Pierre Thomas was effective in the short time he had on the field.  Thomas carried the ball 3 times for 17 yards (5.7 ypc) and he also caught 6 passes for 29 yards (4.8 avg.).  David Patten led all receivers for the Saints with 55 yards on 6 catches (9.2 avg).  The Saints finished up with 65 yards rushing on 18 carries (3.6 ypc) and they also completed 30 of 45 passes for 281 yards.

CB Jason Craft (9 tackles) and DE Will Smith (5 tackles, fumble recovery and a sack) to lead the Saints Defense.  The Eagles finished up with 184 yards rushing on 28 carries (6.6 ypc) and they also completed 24 of 35 passes for 251 yards.

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The Saints just had too much offense for the Cardinals to deal with in this game.  Drew Brees was incredible as he completed 26 of 30 passes for 315 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 interceptions.  Aaron Stecker also had a huge game as he carried the ball 22 times for 95 yards (4.3 ypc) with 2 TD runs and he also caught 6 passes for 46 yards (7.7 avg).  Marques Colston had another solid game with 8 catches for 114 yards (14.3 avg) with a TD grab.  David Patten added 4 catches for 71 yards (17.8 avg) with a TD grab.  The Saints finished up with 114 yards rushing on 29 carries (3.9 ypc) and they also completed 26 of 30 passes for 307 yards.

Scott Fujita led the way for the Saints with 10 tackles and 2 sacks in this game.  The Cardinals finished up with 103 yards rushing on 22 carries (4.7 ypc) and they also completed 19 of 30 passes for 214 yards.

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Both of these teams still have playoff hopes but they can’t afford to lose another game this season which makes this game a must win for both teams.  Look for both the Saints and Cardinals to pull out all of the stops in a likely very high scoring game.

The Cardinals will probably try to get the ball deep to Larry Fitzgerald, Jerheme Urban and Bryant Johnson as the Saints have issues at cornerback.  The Saints are allowing 252.3 yards passing per game this season so Kurt Warner will be bombing away.  The Cards won’t forget the running game however as Edgerrin James is having a solid season.

The Saints will likely attempt to fight fire with fire as Drew Brees has really been throwing the ball well lately and the Cards are giving up 226.7 yards passing per game this season.  With that in mind look for Marques Colston to have another huge game this Sunday.  Look for Aaron Stecker to carry most of the load in the running game but the Saints will also use undrafted rookie Pierre Thomas who has looked pretty good this season.

PREDICTION:  NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 33, ARIZONA CARDINALS 27

The New Orleans Saints dismantled the Falcons last night to improve to 6-7 on the season.  Drew Brees had one of his best games of the season last night as he completed 28 of 41 passes for 328 yards with 3 TD passes.  Aaron Stecker did a fine job as the main running back for the Saints as he carried the ball 20 times for 100 yards (5.0 ypc).  He also caught 3 passes for 7 yards (2.3 avg).  Pierre Thomas also had a solid game with 6 carries for 31 yards (5.2 ypc).  David Patten had an outstanding game last night as he caught 9 passes for 122 yards (13.6 avg) with a TD grab.  But, Marques Colston was even better as he caught 9 passes for 92 yards (10.2 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  The Saints have finished up with 145 yards rushing on 30 carries (4.8 ypc) and they completed 28 of 41 passes for 328 yards.

The Saints defense was led by DE Will Smith (8 tackles, sack) and CB Roman Harper (4 tackles and a 31-yard interception return for a TD).  The Falcons finished up with 37 yards rushing on 16 carries (2.3 ypc) and they also completed 23 of 40 passes for 286 yards.

Reggie Bush has a torn PCL which could cause him to miss the remainder of the season.  This is a huge blow to the Saints who lost Deuce McAllister early in the season.  Bush has played in 12 games this season and he has carried the ball 157 times for 581 yards (3.7 ypc) with 4 TD runs and he also has caught 73 passes for 437 yards (5.7 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  Aaron Stecker will take over as the full-time starter at running back for the Saints and that’s not a good thing.  Stecker has played in all 12 games this season and he has carried the ball 59 times for 200 yards (3.4 ypc) with 1 TD run and he also has caught 24 passes for 127 yards (5.3 avg).  Stecker is too small to run between the tackles so that could open up playing time for undrafted rookie Pierre Thomas.  Thomas has played in 8 games this season for the Saints and he has carried the ball 19 times for 78 yards (4.1 ypc) with a TD run.

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The Saints coul have won this game if they had just stuck to the basics…but they didn’t.  Drew Brees completed 17 of 23 passes for 179 yards with 2 TD passes.  Reggie Bush carried the football 13 times for 64 yards (4.9 ypc) and he also caught 3 passes for 13 yards (4.3 avg).  Aaron Stecker was also busy with 7 carries for 16 yards (2.3 ypc) and he also caught 4 passes for 35 yards (8.8 avg).  The Saints finished up with 84 yards rushing on 21 carries (4.0 ypc) and they also completed 17 of 23 passes for 162 yards.

The Saints defense was led by Josh Bullocks (12 tackles) and Scott Shanle (10 tackles).  But, Mike McKenzie had the biggest impact with 3 tackles and a interception that was returned 53 yards for a TD.  The Bucs finished up with 172 yards rushing on 26 carries (6.6 ypc) and they also completed 29 of 37 passes for 294 yards.

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