COMEBACK SEASON ⚜️

The holidays are here.
The energy feels right.
And it’s the kind of season that calls for gathering, sharing, and starting the new year on a high note.

That comeback story is exactly what Barrel 91 represents.

Barrel 91 is made from Carménère, a historic grape once believed to be lost forever. Originally from Bordeaux, Carménère disappeared after phylloxera and was misidentified for decades—until it was rediscovered and reclaimed in Chile.

Forgotten. Overlooked.
Then brought back and appreciated for what it truly is.

This is a wine made for moments like this—holiday dinners, friends in the house, family around the table. A bottle you bring to share, not save. One that fits right in whether you’re hosting or showing up.

If you’re looking for a great holiday gift or a solid bottle to bring to a gathering, stop by Dorignac’s and pick up Barrel 91.

Good wine. Good people.
Positive momentum heading into a new year.

That’s what this season is about. 🍷

I’m not gonna lie — this one felt good.

Not just because it was a win, but because of how it happened. Tight game. Division opponent. Everything on the line late. That’s Saints football the way we remember it.

That final drive against Carolina? That was composure. That was patience. That was belief. No panic. No forcing it. Just taking what the defense gave, staying in rhythm, and finishing the job when it mattered most. For a team that’s struggled to close games, that mattered.

You could feel it building. Every play, every first down, you knew they were in control — even with the clock working against them. That’s something we haven’t been able to say much this season.

What stood out to me most was the calm. Young quarterback, pressure situation, season not going the way anyone wanted — and still, he delivered. That’s not nothing. That’s growth. That’s the kind of moment you look back on later and say, yeah, that’s when he started believing he belonged.

The offensive line held up when it had to. The play-calling stayed smart. And when it came time to make the kick, special teams did their job. Clean. Simple. Done.

Is this a turnaround? I’m not ready to go that far. I’ve been a Saints fan too long for that. I’ve lived through the bags-on-head days, the almost years, the heartbreaks — and yeah, the Super Bowl that made it all worth it.

But this win? This one matters.

It shows this team can finish.
It shows the moment isn’t too big.
And it gives fans something we haven’t had enough of lately — confidence heading into the next snap.

That’s all we ever really ask for.

Enjoy this one, Who Dat Nation. Wins like this remind you why you ride with this team through all of it.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Game Day: How the Saints Can Win Today — and Why It Matters for the FutureIt’s game day, and while the standings are what they are, today still matters. Not just for a win — but for what the Saints are trying to build going forward. How the Saints can win today:1. Let the young QB play confident, not cautious. We’ve seen what happens when he plays tight. Let him take shots, trust his legs, and play fast. Growth comes from reps, not fear.2. Establish balance on offense. Run the ball with purpose, use play-action, and attack the middle of the field. When this offense stays balanced, it looks completely different.3. Finish drives. Moving the ball doesn’t mean anything if it ends in field goals or mistakes. Touchdowns change games — especially early.4. Defense must stay aggressive. Pressure creates opportunities. Force turnovers, win first down, and don’t let the opponent settle in.5. Special teams can’t hurt you — and can help you. With a new kicker showing confidence, points are there if the offense stalls. Take them. Why this game matters beyond today: This isn’t about playoff math anymore. It’s about answers. Is the QB part of the future? Can the offense develop an identity? Who steps up when it matters? A win today won’t fix the season — but stacking performances, showing growth, and playing with confidence can change how this team feels heading into next year. That’s what fans should be watching for. That’s what gives Who Dat Nation something real to believe in. Who Dat.

The Saints just pulled out a 24–20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — and it wasn’t pretty. But it was real. A gritty, gutsy performance headlined by Tyler Shough that gives fans and analysts a reason to at least talk about hope again. Reuters

✅ What Went Right

• Shough made plays when it mattered. He rushed for 55 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns — including a clutch 34-yard run after a turnover that flipped momentum. Reuters
• Balanced attack under pressure. On a rain-soaked field, with the storms and sloppy conditions, the Saints found a way to move the ball — and finish drives when it counted.
• Defense and opportunistic turnovers. A key takeaway late opened the door, and the Saints converted. That kind of situational awareness and execution matters in close games.
• This win might shift the narrative. For a season that’s been mostly lost, this feels like a moment. A moment where the young guys — especially Shough — show they deserve to be given a longer look.

⚠️ What Still Needs Work / What Worries Me

• Passing game still inconsistent. The 144 passing yards were fine for a ground-heavy win, but if opponents stack the box, this offense still looks limited. Reuters
• Reliability under pressure. The Saints needed to capitalize on turnovers and momentum — but that doesn’t always happen. They’ll need to show they can do it again, under tougher conditions.
• Is this repeatable or just a one-off spark? One win doesn’t erase the season’s mistakes or failures. The consistency still isn’t there.
• Defense can’t carry every week. Eventually other teams will figure out how to beat the pressure and the ground attack — Saints still need a more balanced offense to survive that.

🔭 What This Means Going Forward

This win isn’t a turnaround — but it could be the beginning of one. If Shough keeps growing, the offense finds balance, and the defense stays opportunistic, the Saints might be building toward something.

But make no mistake: this is still a long road. The record doesn’t change overnight. The execution has to improve. The mistakes have to stop.

If this win ends up being a blip — a rare good day — it won’t matter. But if it’s part of a pattern, then fans might finally have something real to root for again.

Another tough loss for the Saints, but this one came with something we haven’t been able to say much this season: there were actual positives worth talking about. New Orleans showed fight late, executed a perfect onside kick, and finally — finally — got stability from the kicker position.

The Good

A 56-yard field goal from the new kicker.
That’s not luck — that’s leg talent and confidence. After weeks of inconsistency, the Saints found a guy who stepped in and delivered immediately. Hitting from 56 on the road in Miami is not a small thing. If he can be reliable going forward, that solves one of the biggest problems this team has had all year.

Successful onside kick recovery.
You almost never see these work in today’s NFL, yet the Saints executed it perfectly. Right kick. Right bounce. Right hustle. It gave New Orleans a real shot to make it interesting late and showed the team hasn’t quit.

Young QB keeps showing toughness.
He didn’t fold, didn’t tap out, and kept taking shots downfield. Development isn’t pretty, but you can see pieces coming together — awareness, confidence, and willingness to compete.

Defensive stretches of real effort.
They bent plenty, but they didn’t just roll over. Against Miami’s speed, they held up better than most expected, especially early.

The Bad

Still too many self-inflicted mistakes.
Penalties, blown assignments, and miscommunication continue to stall drives and hand momentum to the opponent.

Protection issues.
The QB can’t grow if he’s escaping pressure every other snap. It affects timing, play-calling, and consistency.

Red-zone execution is still a problem.
The difference between Miami and New Orleans is simple: Miami finishes drives, the Saints don’t.

Bottom Line

Yes, it’s another loss — but there were actual building blocks here.
A kicker who looks like he might finally stabilize special teams.
A successful onside kick showing fight.
A young QB getting real reps and showing grit.
A defense that kept competing.

The season is now about growth, evaluation, and figuring out who belongs in the future plans. Today didn’t fix everything — far from it — but it did offer something the Saints haven’t had in a while: signs of progress.

A win today would mean a lot more than just a number in the standings. For our new QB, this is the kind of stage that can change the conversation about the future in New Orleans.

What a win would mean:
• Credibility. Beating Miami on the road shows he can deliver in tough environments.
• Confidence. Young quarterbacks grow fast when they stack good performances.
• Control of the locker room. Teammates rally around a QB who proves he can fight and finish.
• Momentum. The season has been rough — but a win here would shift the tone moving forward.

What to watch for today:
• Composure early. First quarter matters. If he settles in quickly, the offense can breathe.
• Decision-making. Quick reads, smart throws, no forced mistakes.
• Red-zone execution. Field goals won’t beat Miami. Need touchdowns.
• Protection. The O-line has to keep him upright long enough to let him work.
• Defense helping him out. Short fields and turnovers make life easier for a young QB.

Today is a chance — for the team and for the guy under center — to show what the future might look like.

Who Dat.

The Saints were their own worst enemy Sunday in the 24-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The scoreboard tells part of the story, but the deeper issue? Mistakes. Constant ones.

What worked (briefly):

• The defense showed fight. They limited big offensive plays for Atlanta and kept things in reach for a while.
• There were flashes of promise on offense: a few good drives, some positive yardage, hints at rhythm.

What didn’t work (too much):

• Turnovers and miscues: A mishandled handoff (on the second play) led to the Falcons’ early field goal.
• Offensive drought: The Saints didn’t score an offensive touchdown, meaning they didn’t capitalize when the defense gave a chance.
• Penalties / self-inflicted wounds: Mistakes like fumbles, missed kicks and avoidable errors cost more than one drive.
• Lack of consistency: Even when things looked promising, they didn’t build; the Falcons steadily pulled away.

Key takeaway:
This game revealed that when the Saints aren’t sharp, even mediocre opponents can dominate them. Youth, inexperience, and lack of execution still plague the roster.

What needs to go right next week in Miami:

1. Clean the mistakes. Game one starts with “don’t lose” — protect the football, avoid giveaways.
2. Finish drives with touchdowns. Field goals aren’t going to cut it away from home.
3. Establish a baseline of consistency — on offense and defense. If they play “okay,” that may be enough if the aggressiveness and execution turn up.
4. On the road, the margin is smaller. Discipline and focus must be higher.
5. Let the young guys grow quickly. If the Saints want to salvage something from this season, accelerated growth is required.

Bottom line:
This wasn’t a one-off bad day — it’s a reminder of where the Saints are. But if they take this loss, learn the lessons, and bounce in Miami, then maybe we’ll start looking at potential, not just pain. If they don’t? It’ll feel like more of the same.

It’s game day — and if the Saints want to walk out with a win, the formula isn’t complicated:

1. Protect the football.
No turnovers. No momentum killers. Clean football keeps them in control.

2. Establish the run early.
If they can stay ahead of the chains, it opens everything up for the offense and takes pressure off the quarterback.

3. Let the quarterback play fast.
Quick reads, decisive throws, get into a rhythm. When he plays on time, the offense moves.

4. Win on third down.
Too many drives die because of sloppy execution. Convert the makeable ones and avoid the long ones.

5. Defense needs pressure, not just contain.
Make their QB uncomfortable. Force mistakes. Create short fields.

6. Own the red zone.
Field goals won’t cut it. They need touchdowns.

If they clean up the details and play with urgency, they can control this game.
Let’s see who shows up today. Who Dat.

The Saints’ playoff chances this year? Let’s call it what it is: slim.

• At 2-8 and sitting in 4th place in the NFC South, the margin for error is next to nonexistent.
• Oddsmakers currently put their odds at around 1.2% for making the postseason.
• That’s not just a bad year — that’s basically a rebuild in progress year.
• If the Saints do make a run: it’ll require a long-shot rally, a bunch of opponents losing unexpectedly, AND a major step forward from young players like Tyler Shough (under center) and others stepping up.
• Realistically? The smart target for now is development, not playoff seeding.

So yeah — playoff talk is technically alive, but business-as-usual says this year’s more about laying groundwork than chasing wins.

Who Dat Nation — two weeks ago I asked whether Tyler Shough might be the future under center. Well, the conversation just got real. Shough is getting the start this week against Atlanta, and this is the kind of opportunity that can swing a quarterback’s trajectory — one way or the other.

Here’s where things stand heading into Sunday:

Why This Start Matters:
This isn’t preseason speculation anymore. Division game. On the road. Against a defense that loves to disguise pressure. If Shough shows command, timing, and poise here, it’s going to carry real weight.

Signs of Growth:
In practice and limited snaps, you can see his mechanics tightening up — quicker release, better footwork, and he’s starting to trust the middle of the field. That’s where franchise QBs make their money.

What Still Needs to Show Up:
Consistency. You can’t build a future on flashes. Sunday is his chance to stack drives, protect the ball, and prove he can run a full NFL game plan.

Bottom Line:
This start won’t decide his entire career — but it’s his first real audition to show whether he’s just a spark or something worth building around.

What do y’all think — does Tyler Shough take a step toward being the guy this weekend? Or is Atlanta about to give us the real measuring stick?