I posted this in the prediction thread below...take it for what you will.
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Here's a better link for you guys to review our performance.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/drive...ameId=230907026
Look at the 1st and 2nd quarters specifically.
The Saints did a whole lot of nothing, while the Seahawks erupted in the 2nd Quarter.
All those yards, T.O.P., first downs, etc. came in the 2nd half when the Saints were down by 21.
Yes we were outgained, but if you look more in detail to those numbers you could see that the Seahawk defense put the Saints offense in lockdown for the whole half. The only Saints scoring drive came after a penalty and really short punt by Tom Rouen. And when you start at the 43 with John Carney as your kicker...you don't have to go to far to get points.
Saints Drive Summaries
Start Time Time Poss. Drive Began # of Plays Yards Result
1st drive - Start at the NO 31 - 6 plays, 5 yards, Punt
2nd drive - Start at the SEA 43 - 9 plays, 27 yards, Made FG
3rd drive - Start at the NO 31, 3 plays, - 10 yards, Punt
4th drive - Start at the NO 14, 6 plays - 52 yards, Punt
This was when Horn got a big pass play off of Trufant, the only mistake by the rookie that half
5th drive - Start at the NO 30, 1 play - 5 yards, Fumble
6th drive - Start at the NO 20, 6 plays - 12 yards, Punt
7th drive - Start at the NO 39, 2 plays - 9 yards, End of half.
Seahawks First Half Drive Summaries
1st drive - Start at the SEA 13, 3 plays, -2 yards, Punt
2nd drive - Start at the SEA 23, 3 plays, 8 yards, Punt
3rd drive - Start at the SEA 35, 5 plays, 20 yards, Punt
4th drive - Start at the SEA 11, 8 plays, 89 yards, Rushing TD
5th drive - Start at the NO 37, 2 plays, 37 yards, Passing TD
6th drive - Start at the SEA 23, 9 plays, 77 yards, Passing TD
You see...when you look at it more, the Saints were dominated in the first half, and it turns out we had the game wrapped up afterwards. First Saints possession of the second half was a pick off of a zone blitz by Chike Okeafor. That led to a field goal and after that with a 24-3 lead we went into prevent mode.
Numbers don't tell the whole story here.