Why do Teams Self-Destruct Against the Saints?

[hoosierguy]

The Vikings and then the Colts committed numerous unforced errors against the Saints, be it bad play calls or poor coaching decisions.

The Vikings had a first and 10 inside the NO 40 yard line with over a minute left and need to get 5-10 yards to put their kicker in range to boot the game winning FG but decide to run up the middle twice for no gain. Brett Favre was throwing the ball very well on this drive let it be noted. On 3rd down they are whistled for having 12 men in the huddle and then Favre makes a ridiculous across the body throw that is picked off, sending the game to OT.

In OT, the Vikings commit two crucial penalties that put the Saints into FG range.

Then you have the Colts, who after playing an aggressive style of defense in the 1st quarter which confuses the Saints offense, decide to play an ultra conservative Cover 2, allowing Brees to find a rhythm throwing short to intermediate passes on 3 and five step drops.

The Colts run the ball up the middle three straight plays after a great goal line stand, giving the Saints the ball back in great field position before the half.

In the 4th quarter, the Colts run a screen pass to Austin Collie, a WR with below average speed, that loses three yards. On 3rd and long, instead of trying to get 5-10 yards on a run or quick throw, Manning throws a deep pass into the endzone to the aforementioned Collie that has no chance of being caught. So now it is 4th and 11 and instead of punting or going for it, the Colts trot out their weak legged 42 year old kicker to attempt a FIFTY ONE yard FG. Of course,the kicker misses and the Saints get the ball back with great field position.

So why did the Vikings and Colts turn into morons against the Saints?

[███████]

Well the main reason is that their offense puts a ton of pressure on teams forcing them into shootouts. Then their D is built for that kind of game.

The rest of it is just teams making the mistakes you'd normally expect from them. Favre has always been turnover prone same with Peterson.

Colts have always been unable to convert critical 3rd and short runs, and this isn't the first time we've seen Manning decline to set up for a better field goal and go downfield instead.

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by ███████

Well the main reason is that their offense puts a ton of pressure on teams forcing them into shootouts. .

Neither the NFC Championship Game nor the Superbowl was a shootout.

The Saints did squat offensively in the second half against the Vikings and only took the lead on the Colts late in the 4th quarter after all of the boneheaded plays Indy made.

And newsflash, the Vikings and Colts had pretty damn good offenses too.

[GoBigBlue88]

Because the Saints force the issue. They don't **** around with that ***** conservative crap. They play to win.

Don't underestimate how good their offense is. It's the best in the league. That offense puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses as to how they'll play them. Then the other offense feels a lot of pressure to keep up, provided they're even on the field enough to establish the momentum required to do so.

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by GoBigBlue88

Because the Saints force the issue. They don't **** around with that ***** conservative crap. They play to win.

Don't underestimate how good their offense is. It's the best in the league. That offense puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses as to how they'll play them. Then the other offense feels a lot of pressure to keep up, provided they're even on the field enough to establish the momentum required to do so.

I fail to see how fear of the Saints offense caused the Vikings and Colts to run stupid plays when the game was in their control or cause the Vikings to have 12 men in the huddle.

The Colts and Vikings both had excellent offenses as well. The Saints performed an onside kick to start the second half because they were so afraid Manning would take the Colts down the field and score a TD.

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by GoBigBlue88

Because the Saints force the issue. They don't **** around with that ***** conservative crap. They play to win.

God damnit, why didn't the Colts and Vikings then? It pisses me off that the Saints could want it more than either of those teams. That is bullschit.

[dacoats]

Originally Posted by hoosierguy

The Vikings and then the Colts committed numerous unforced errors against the Saints, be it bad play calls or poor coaching decisions.

The Vikings had a first and 10 inside the NO 40 yard line with over a minute left and need to get 5-10 yards to put their kicker in range to boot the game winning FG but decide to run up the middle twice for no gain. Brett Favre was throwing the ball very well on this drive let it be noted. On 3rd down they are whistled for having 12 men in the huddle and then Favre makes a ridiculous across the body throw that is picked off, sending the game to OT.

In OT, the Vikings commit two crucial penalties that put the Saints into FG range.

Then you have the Colts, who after playing an aggressive style of defense in the 1st quarter which confuses the Saints offense, decide to play an ultra conservative Cover 2, allowing Brees to find a rhythm throwing short to intermediate passes on 3 and five step drops.

The Colts run the ball up the middle three straight plays after a great goal line stand, giving the Saints the ball back in great field position before the half.

In the 4th quarter, the Colts run a screen pass to Austin Collie, a WR with below average speed, that loses three yards. On 3rd and long, instead of trying to get 5-10 yards on a run or quick throw, Manning throws a deep pass into the endzone to the aforementioned Collie that has no chance of being caught. So now it is 4th and 11 and instead of punting or going for it, the Colts trot out their weak legged 42 year old kicker to attempt a FIFTY ONE yard FG. Of course,the kicker misses and the Saints get the ball back with great field position.

So why did the Vikings and Colts turn into morons against the Saints?

thats it right there

Our players got pushed all over that damn field and play scared.

It was ****ing embarrassing.

The defensive line and our skilled guys on offense blew the the game on the field

BUT the coaching staff got ****ing schooled

Caldwell should be embarrassed as hell that he lost the way he did. When you get down to it, we got beat by a sand lot play, and the energy level of the our players blew ass.

[hoosierguy]

It was clear that Caldwell did not prepare his team well for the biggest game of the season.

That is concerning for the future.

He didn't have the Colts prepared for the NE game either.

[Horse]

Originally Posted by hoosierguy

So why did the Vikings and Colts turn into morons against the Saints?

Katrina Karma?

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by Horse

Katrina Karma?

Let's hope that has been exhausted.