Saints Rout Patriots 38 - 17

The now 11-0 Saints absolutely dominated.

Apologies for no preview to this game, but the Patriots would not have executed any of the "keys to the game" anyways. We hope that you and your families enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday.

Let's take a glance at what hurt the Pats last night, as the Saints did exactly what they've done all season: romped their opponent.

The Saints and Head Coach Sean Payton are adept at using a combination of bunch and spread formations. This made it more difficult to bump or jam a receiver off the line of scrimmage for the Patriots' corners. With the Patriots utilizing various zone blitzes, they left themselves susceptible to tough match ups in various spots within the defense.

The Saints had 8 total plays of over 20 yards or more (two 60 yard plays), 3 of which went for touchdowns and hey averaged over 15 yards per pass play. Drew Brees quick ability to read blitzes and coverages is a big reason why the Saints are 11-0 and also why their WR core catches more wide open touchdown passes than any other in the NFL.

The good news for the Patriots is that their mistakes are correctable. Credit must be given to the Saints players for making plays, but the Patriots will bounce back. These mistakes are adjustable and Belichick is as good as anyone at learning from mistakes.

Offensively, the team couldn't get it going. Moss came right out and said it, "It didn't feel like we had any rhythm. We had little spurts where we tried to gain that rhythm, but we just couldn't put things together." The Saints did a good job of mixing up blitzes and doubling Moss for much of the game. They were physical with Welker early and he never really found any groove."

Those little spurts he is referring to could be the atrocious 31% conversion rate (4-13) for the team on third down. With Brees firing on all cylinders, the Patriots needed to sustain drives and not punt. This is why Belichick was forced to go for it on fourth down.

Many New England Patriots fans went to sleep last night feeling disappointed and discouraged. Belichick himself admitted the team got out played in all phases of the game. Now fans can either mope about the collapse on national television or look on the bright side...

While the loss to the Saints didn't quite inspire confidence, the Patriots season is far from over.

The Patriots stand 7-4 (4 losses on the road) overall and 3-1 in the division with a very favorable remaining schedule that includes @Miami, Carolina, @Buffalo, Jacksonville, and @Houston. The game against Miami (3-2 in the division) next week is setting up to be a critical one. If the Pats take the game in Miami they will be in good shape for the home stretch.

MORE:

• The Patriots' inactives last night were Julian Edelman (3rd QB), RB Fred Taylor, CB Kyle Arrington, CB Shawn Springs, LB Junior Seau, OL Rich Orhnberger, LT Sebastian Vollmer and DT Ron Brace.
  
• Vollmer's (concussion) absence opened the door for veteran Matt Light to return to the lineup. It appeared as if Light was on his heals all night, and we missed the nearly flawless blocking Vollmer has been providing lately.
• Various injuries forced Patriot players to leave the game last night including Wilfork, Warren, Banta-Cain, and Neal. Banta-Cain was the only one who did not return to the action.
• It was obvious that the secondary was beat last night. The ultimate downer was when Devery Henderson was wide open for a 75-yard TD scamper after a corner blitz where no safety (Brandon Meriweather) was deep to help.
• In particular, Drew Brees picked apart CB Jonathan Wilhite, but no one played well (Bodden McGowan, or Butler).
  
• The Patriots came out with a great drive (14 plays, 7:40 off the clock, and TD). They ran the ball with ease on the drive, but got away from it when they got down.
  
• Maroney had a good statistical game (15 rushes, 64 yards, 2 TDs and 3 receptions for 23 yards), but fumbled yet again (3 games in a row). He did however get the ball back when he used his helmet to jar the ball loose from Sedrick Ellis who had originally recovered Maroney's fumble.
  
• Brady had no TDs and 2 INTs. He was pressured often and was definitely not on his game. With the Patriots down 21 with 5:25 left, Belichick elected to bring in rookie Brian Hoyer to finish the game.
• Sam Aiken was one of the players who showed up tonight and is taking advantage of his chance to see action at WR. Almost strictly a special teamer in his tenure in New England, Aiken set career highs in catches (7) and yards (90) last night.
• Sammy Morris, who hadn't played since week 6 against Tennessee, returned to the lineup. He was used in the FB role at times and in shotgun formations often in the second half when they were playing from behind.