By Steve Wyche | NFL.com
Senior Writer

The weekend has provided us with a clearer picture of how the trek to the playoffs could be for a handful of teams. Now, it’s on to the real show: New England vs. New Orleans. Both teams seem poised to capture the AFC East and NFC South, respectively, so this is more about The Big Game than anything else.

In order to get the goods on this possible Super Bowl preview, I spoke with some general managers who’ve played either New England or New Orleans and the feeling is that the Patriots, who have three losses and are playing on the road, will hand the Saints their first loss of the season.

There is doubt that New Orleans’ defense will be able to hold up against Tom Brady, Wes Welker and Randy Moss. Remember, these aren’t guys simply regurgitating the Saints’ weak spot from the past. These are opinions from men whose teams have played New Orleans or New England.

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By Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune
November 30, 2009, 4:00AM

November 30, 2009, 4:00AM

About a half-hour before kickoff at Monday night’s game against the New England Patriots, the entire New Orleans Saints team will gather around quarterback Drew Brees in the south end zone of the Superdome.

Brees will address the team with a quick intro, then repeat the team’s 2009 mission statements: “Be special,” “Finish strong” and “Smell greatness.” Then the team will break into a spirited count, alternating numbers — “One! Two!” — with the words “Win!” and “Again!” The count builds to a crescendo, stopping, ironically, at 10, when the Saints start repeating “Again! Again!” clasp hands and break the throbbing huddle.

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Five reasons the New Orleans Saints will beat the New England Patriots
By Gene Guillot, The Times-Picayune
November 30, 2009, 9:01AM

The following entry is in response to mass.com’s “Five reasons the New England Patriots will win.”

1. The Superdome.

So the only way “New Orleans” and “Super Bowl” will be used in the same sentence is if “host city” is involved? Ouch. That was wicked hardcore. But I think you’ve been eating too much clam chowder. You see, there’s this little thing called home-field advantage. At last check, this game is going down in the Superdome. In New Orleans.

Have any idea what happens when 70,000 Saints fans show up for a night game? Well, I’ll tell you. A night game means they’ve had all day to drink. Translation: Brady won’t know what hit his ears when those fans start going ballistic on the first third down for the Patriots. Loud. Angry. Noises.

And another thing. Momentum. If the Saints get any momentum early, forget about it. That place will be so loud, Brady will wish he was back home hanging out at Dunkin’ Donuts.

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Five reasons the New England Patriots will beat the New Orleans Saints
By The Times-Picayune
November 30, 2009, 9:00AM

Five reasons why the New England Patriots will beat the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football,” courtesy the staff of mass.com, a sister Web site of nola.com.

See “Five reasons the New Orleans Saints will beat the New England Patriots.”

1. Ten years after their first head-to-head meeting, Tom Brady’s performance is still better than that of Drew Brees. And numbers don’t lie, right?

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By Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune
November 29, 2009, 6:00AM

New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton charged Gregg Williams with one task when he hired him last January. He asked Williams to change the attitude of his defense.

Mission accomplished. The Saints lead the league in three major defensive categories: takeaways, defensive pass efficiency rating and attitude adjustment.

In 10 months, Williams has overseen one of the most startling one-year transformations in recent league history.

“He’s really changed our attitude a lot, ” safety Chris Reis said. “You can see that by the way we play. It’s just a different mind-set altogether.”

The attitude overhaul was necessary. The Saints’ defensive roster returned largely intact. A makeover wasn’t contractually possible. Of the 25 defenders who made the roster out of camp, only six were newcomers.

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By Dan Swenson, The Times-Picayune
November 29, 2009, 6:00AM

The New Orleans Saints are 10-0 and the talk of not just the Crescent City, but the nation as well. As they prepare to take on the vaunted New England Patriots (7-3) on the national stage that is the ‘Monday Night Football’ broadcast at 7 p.m. on ESPN, The Times-Picayune takes a look at the key statistics that put the Black and Gold at the top of many analysts NFL power rankings.

drew-brees.jpgSusan Poag/The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has thrown 22 passes and rushed for two this season.For example: The Saints lead the league with 48 touchdowns, which has resulted in their league-leading 36.9 points-per-game average. The Minnesota Vikings, who are second in touchdowns, have 37.

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By Nakia Hogan, The Times-Picayune
November 28, 2009, 8:00AM

New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton isn’t going to try to fool himself.

When he watches New England Patriots receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker, Payton sees a dominant duo, the most talented threats his banged-up defensive backs have faced this season, perhaps the best tandem in the NFL.

“If you just look at the numbers, I think all that statistically speaks for itself, ” Payton said. “I don’t think (there’s any question). I think these two are the best.

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A healthy Sedrick Ellis just what New Orleans Saints need: John DeShazier
By John DeShazier, The Times-Picayune
November 27, 2009, 10:00PM

Let’s not suggest every running lane in the New Orleans Saints’ defense miraculously will close now that Sedrick Ellis is set to return Monday night, after a four-game absence. Or that a New England Patriots runner won’t gash New Orleans for 100-plus yards while averaging 5 yards a carry.

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Sack that quarterback !

From Will Smith’s web site !