38-17.

To quote Matt Millen: "Statement game, shmatement game." That was one hell of a shmatement game. Unstoppable offense and AGGRO-CRAG defense from a team that isn't even at full strength. I couldn't be more excited.

lord, how i want to be in that number when the sun refuse to shine.

Since their inaugural season in 1967, the New Orleans Saints have been unparalleled at one thing. Unlike the Pittsburgh Steelers, it hasn't been excellent defense. Unlike the Indianapolis Colts, it hasn't been for quarterbacks who have defined entire eras. Few Saints have been placed in the pantheon of great players, and no one has ever referred to the Superdome in the same hushed tones as Lambeau.

what'll i do when i don't have you, when i finally get what i deserve?

--Sorry for the layoff. Blame it on my research paper (and the rain).

--A few very brief sports notes:

• Les Miles lost me in a complete and abject way on Saturday. The worst display of in-game coaching I have ever, ever witnessed. Gary Crowton, who I was reluctant to turn on earlier in the season, is clearly hurting this team. I could write more about this, and probably will should we lose to Arkansas (something that can't be terribly unlikely after a loss like that).
• In other news, Charlie Weis is toast, and UConn gets a tip of the cap from sentimental old me for it.
  
• Is there any way that the NFC Championship won't be Saints-Vikings or that the AFC Championship won't be Colts-Pats? Belichick was right to go for it on 4th and 2, by the way, but why not run there?
  
• A mock draft will be coming soon.
  
• The Celtics look worn out, plain and simple. I don't know if it makes me sadder to see K.G. losing a step or Glenn Dorsey struggling in Kansas City.
• The Hornets, meanwhile, knocked off the team with the best record with the West, the team with the best record in the East, and nearly the Heat on the road last night, despite having the league MVP sitting on the bench in (admittedly fresh) street clothes.
• Also, boo Lakers. Boo forever.
  

--I caught up on The Office and Community recently. "Murder" is in contention with "Product Recall" for the funniest Office episode I've ever seen. Meanwhile Community is getting better ("Intro to Statistics" was excellent) and that Alison Brie is quite the minx.

--As you may know, there were at least five good movies this year, and they're starting to trickle into the dollar theater. You can expect reviews for movies like The Informant, Inglourious Basterds, and Tyler Perry: I Can Do Bad All by Myself here very soon.

--Which German song is your favorite?

--Bon Iver, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, and the Rural Alberta Advantage have been in heavy rotation for me lately, and they're throwing some kinks into my presumed Top 10.

--It's real to me, damn it!

found eighteen reasons i can't pick up on the phone.

--Pretty close call on LSU, I'd say; I was there at the game, and I got my Psyduck on way later than I expected. Bama's defense didn't seem to have much of an answer for Jordan Jefferson's mobility, but Jordan Jefferson's ankles did, which, along with Patrick Peterson's cramps, killed the Tigers in that game. It was as much a loss to Gamblor, the fickle god of football fortune, as anything. As a rational fan I have to remind myself that, considering how low my hopes were for LSU's season after the Florida game, it'd be a huge win for stability to finish 11-2 (though with Arkansas and Ole Miss [giggity!] still on the schedule, no guarantees).

--Meanwhile, I'll be pulling for Bama from here on out. They played a very clean game against LSU despite the injuries, and I've got nothing but respect for their star players, especially Rolando McClain. Can't say the same for Florida or Texas.

--I swept the NFL picks, nearly going perfect on the Steelers-Broncos game. San Diego's passing attack shot the Giants' secondary dead when it mattered most, and Dallas won a (admitted more lo-fi than expected) game against Philly. The Colts did end up winning thanks to some dumb Schaub throws, and to those who say that the Texans got cheated on the questionable Ryan Moats fumble, two words: y'all jealous.

--Meanwhile, here's an update: the Patriots aren't for real. They're going to come back to earth as soon as they play the Colts (not pumped up for that game no not at all).

--YOU'RE WELCOME! DOUBLE YOU'RE WELCOME!

--Finally, a win for hustle and grit. Somewhere up there, Greg Paulus is smiling.

--Plus, a real dunk!

and satan is my motor (hear my motor purr).

One college pick, since I don't care about Penn St.-Ohio St.:

work well with nines, a.k.'s, and techs.

--The NBA's back, yo, along with the excellent The Basketball Jones podcast.

• The C's look about as good as they did in their championship run. Their depth is ridiculous, Sheed (BALL DON'T LIE!) looks like he belongs there, and they're the best team in the league if Doc can manage the vets' minutes.
• Their biggest competition? The Magic, whose much-touted offseason moves appear to be working out.
  
• Phoenix, San Antonio, and Denver, meanwhile, look like they can keep pace with the Pau-less Lakers in the West.
  
• Jason Maxiell eats babies. Not necessarily relevant, but it's always relevant.
• LeBron James may be better, but Dwyane Wade is actually fun to watch.
• The Knicks, Nets, and OKC fit roundly into the "not good, but a hell of a lot of fun" category.
• My Hornets, unfortunately, fit into the "not good, and agony to watch" category. Chris Paul is playing at an absurdly high level, and the team's still 1-3 against the bottom of the NBA barrel. Hope, baby, hope.
  

--Football, you say?

• I was in the ATL (where the dirty be found, I hear) over the weekend, so I didn't get to make any predictions. In all likelihood I only would've made NFL predictions, because of how roundly uninteresting the college matchups were (if you didn't see that USC loss coming, you are lacking in judgment!!!).
• For one thing, I would've picked Minnesota to beat the Pack. Green Bay's o-line has got to be in the running for worst in the league at pass protection, and Minny's d-line is still playing very well. Though I'd like to, I won't shortchange Favre; he was excellent, as he has been thus far all season.
• Baltimore-Denver was another interesting matchup, and again I would've correctly predicted the winner. Denver's inability to threaten deep (an option the Ravens left open to Orton all game) really cost them, and Orton's limitations could signal the beginning of a precipitous decline for the team.
• Colts-San Fran was unexpectedly tight; the Colts' run defense was, for a little while anyway, reminiscent of the 2006 regular season. Meanwhile the rush offense is as plainly ineffective as it's been the past year and a half. We need Gonzalez back, ASAP.
• New Orleans' win over Atlanta was also a lot tighter than I expected, although it hinged on some pretty lucky plays for Atlanta (Brees' fumble-TD, the no-call on the Roddy White TD). Some cracks in the Saints' facade are beginning to reveal themselves, but the team's responded well to adversity so far and is still the class of the league.
• Sorry if I ever said anything mean about you, Ted Ginn.

--As for the rest of this week's schedule, I'll have an extended preview of LSU-Bama along with some predictions and an album review.