By Brian Allee-Walsh, The Times-Picayune

November 09, 2009, 8:40AM

The New Orleans Saints (8-0) continued their unbeaten ways Sunday with an angst-filled 30-20 victory against the Carolina Panthers at the Superdome and now hold a commanding three-game lead over the Altanta Falcons (5-3) in the NFC South at the halfway point of the regular season.

For the first time this season, Saints players talked openly of their goals to win the division and homefield advantage in the NFC and ultimately claim football’s biggest prize, the Super Bowl to be played Feb. 7, 2010, at Land Shark Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

“It’s out there for us,” Saints running back Pierre Thomas said. “But we still have to focus on one game at a time.”

Based on the first eight games, I see no reason why they can’t accomplish all three goals, provided they focus on the weekly task at hand.

Meanwhile, the players are off today enjoying a well deserved two-day break. They will resume practice Wednesday in preparation for Sunday’s road game against the St. Louis Rams (1-7).

Coach Sean Payton will meet with reporters at 11:30 a.m. today and perhaps provide an update on the status of injured cornerback Jabari Greer, who exited Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter with a tweaked groin.

Stay tuned to NOLA.com for the latest in Saints news. Until we meet again, sit back, buckle up and enjoy a complimentary ride around the worldwide WEB.

ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas describes how Saints DT Anthony Hargrove puts a personal loss aside to help his team stay unbeaten.

Dive through Peter King’s weekly column “Monday Morning QB” to find several Saints pearls. His “MMQB” is a must read to begin the work week.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said the Saints had Carolina “right where they wanted them” after the Panthers blew out to an early 14-0 lead.

Bradley Handwerger of WWLTV.com says the New Orleans’ sporting world officially changed Sunday.

Sheldon Mickles of The Baton Rouge Advocate chronicles yet another comeback victory for the undefeated Black and Gold.

Who Dat? Not Carolina, says the Cajun Cannon, Bobby Hebert in his WWL-AM 870 blog.

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