The Cowboys are a desperate team and they are the Saints’ biggest threat to a 16-0 regular season.  With OLB DeMarus Ware either out or gimpy with a neck injury that means that Drew Brees should have time to throw the ball against a Cowboys’ D that is allowing 229.2 yards passing per game.  Look for Brees to spread the ball around to Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, Jeremy Shockey and Reggie Bush to keep the troops happy tomorrow.  The Saints will also run the ball ass they are averaging 138.6 yards rushing per game and 4.5 yards per carry.  Pierre Thomas could have a big game tomorrow for the Saints.

The Saints must get a good pass rush against the Cowboys tomorrow or they could be in some trouble.  Tony Romo is a great QB if he has time to throw the ball and Jason Witten, Roy Williams and Miles Austin could all have huge games if he gets the time he needs.  The Saints will also have to worry about Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice as the Cowboys have a great running game. 

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 33, COWBOYS 30

The first time these two teams played the Saints had to fight tooth and nail before finally prevailing 35-27 at home.  But, the Falcons had a healthy Matt Ryan and Michael Turner in that game.  If either of them play this week they will be gimpy.  With that in mind the Saints should come out throwing the ball to force the Falcons into a firefight.  Drew Brees should have a field day throwing against a Falcons’ D that is allowing 254.7 yards passing per game.  If the Saints succeed in getting the lead in the passing game then they can grind out the game on the ground with Pierre Thomas leading the way against a Falcons’ D that is allowing 119.8 yards rushing per game and 4.3 yards per carry.

The Falcons will no doubt come out running the football with Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood against a Saints’ D that is allowing 113.9 yards rushing and 4.5 yards per carry.  The Saints must stop the running game of the Falcons to force Chris Redman into making some mistakes like he did last weekend against the Eagles.  The Saints should double cover Roddy White and make the Falcons use other receivers to try to beat their defense.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 33, FALCONS 17

The New Orleans Saints (11-0) will stay undefeated after this week as they take on the Washington Redskins (3-8).  The Redskins do have a decent defense who gives up less than 300 total yards per game.  The Saints are a different team than any other team that the Skins have faced though, and the Saints have been very successful against better defenses, so they will have no problem doing their thing against the Skins.  Drew Brees needs another big game to get more momentum for the MVP race.

The Saints defense basically just needs to show up and the Saints will win.  The Skins offense is pretty bad, but even if they have their best game of the year they wont be able to keep up with Brees and the Saints’ offense.  The Skins will be trying to get their running game going to control the clock,  and they will probably have some success doing that as they average 127 rushing yards per game.  They have virtually no passing game though, so the Saints should blow them out.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  New Orleans Saints 42, Washington Redskins 17

The New Orleans Saints (10-0) are hosting the dangerous New England Patriots (7-3) on Monday night in what should be one of the most exciting games of the regular season.  The Patriots are the only team to go 16-0 in the regular season, and they want to keep it that way.  If the Saints win, they have a great shot and tying that record as the Dallas Cowboys would be the toughest opponent left for them.  Drew Brees and the Saints’ offense should be able to have success against the Patriots, but the Patriots do have a solid defense.  Brees should be able to eclipse the 187 yard average that the Pats’ defense is holding opponents to, but he will need that running attack to continue to do what they do.  The Patriots are giving up 109 rushing yards per game, so Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, and Reggie Bush should find success.  Field goals are not going to cut it in this matchup though, so they need to make sure they get into the endzone.

The Patriots offense can be just as good if not better than the Saints’ offense at times.  The Saints can’t guard Wes Welker in single coverage all game, as Brady finds him too easily when he is in single coverage.  It’s almost like picking your poison though, because when Wes Welker gets too much attention it opens up the long ball for Randy Moss.  The Patriots are going to put up some points, so the Saints’ offense is going to need to stay on top of their game.  This one looks like it is going to be an offensive battle, and it may come down to who has the ball last.  I think the Patriots are going to put an end to the Saints’ undefeated season though, as they want to stay the only team in NFL history with a 16-0 regular season record.  I see it coming down to a late field goal.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  New Orleans Saints 31, New England Patriots 34

The Saints are sitting at 9-0 on the year and you would think that this week would be a laugher for them against the 1-8 Bucs.  It won’t be as easy as most people think it will.  The Saints are having big defensive issues as of late due to injuries so they will likely try to dominate this game on offense.  Drew Brees will likely have a lot of time to throw against a Bucs’ D that is lacking pass rushers.  That is bad news for the DBs of the Bucs in having to deal with Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Jeremy Shockey and Robert Meachem.  The Bucs are allowing 211.9 yards passing per game so the Saints will likely have a good day throwing the ball.  But, don’t think for a minute that Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush and Mike Bell won’t get to have their fun too against a Bucs’ D that is allowing 167.3 yards rushing per game and 4.9 yards per carry.

The Bucs look like a different football team with rookie QB Josh Freeman under center.  The Bucs would still likely want to get a running game going in an effort to keep the Saints’ offense on the sideline.  That means that Cadillac Williams, Derrick Ward and Ernest Graham will have to run hard against a Saints’ D that is allowing 115.3 yards rushing per game and 4.5 yards per carry.  If the Bucs are effective running the ball that will open up some play action passing for Freeman against a Saints’ D that is allowing 227.7 yards passing per game. 

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 35, BUCCANEERS 27