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By John Sigler | Saints Wire

Week 10 delivered plenty of surprises to the NFL, painting the playoff picture in sweeping, sometimes-erratic strokes. It brought big changes for some Super Bowl contenders and a painful reality check for other playoff hopefuls, the New Orleans Saints among them. The Saints may have fallen flat against the Atlanta Falcons, but they weren’t the only favorite to get upset this week. Let’s run through the games that impacted this week’s standings.

Green Bay Packers 24, Carolina Panthers 16

What a game for the Packers, who were able to run often and effectively on what’s been a mostly-strong Panthers defense. Their two-headed attack of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams combined for 156 rushing yards in a game that saw snow pile up as the afternoon drew on. Green Bay’s defense showed up with several sacks and frequently pressured newly-minted starting Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen, who put up a fight but wasn’t able to clinch a tough win on the road. Christian McCaffrey was effective as ever but ultimately came up short at the goal-line on the game’s final play.

Full Story - Saints Wire - USA Today

USO Gulf Coast and New Orleans Saints responsible for this surprise Last Fan
Standing memory that will last a lifetime.

By Chet Landry | WLOX

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - Veteran’s Day is observed nationally to honor those that have served and currently serve in the US Armed Forces.

Staff Sergeant Corey Crockett has been serving with the Air Force in Kuwait for the last four months. He was brought home as a surprise to his family as part of the New Orleans Saints’ Last Fan Standing.

“Man, my heart was beating a thousand beats per minute," said Crockett. “I was nervous. I was scared, but more than all I was just excited. I was ready to run into my girl’s and wife’s arms and greet them and love on them."

Crockett describes the moment he saw his family.

Full Story - WLOX

By Colin Liotta | Bucs Wire

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a big Week 10 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Not only did it stop Tampa Bay’s four-game losing-streak, but it was also the team’s first game at Raymond James Stadium since Week 3.

A grueling 1-4 road stretch had the team at 2-6 before Sunday’s big win. But, if the Bucs want to continue to climb back to .500, they’ll have to take down Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints next Sunday.

New Orleans is coming off a stunning 26-9 home loss in Week 10 to the Atlanta Falcons, and the risk of falling further behind in the NFC playoff picture will have them playing in desperation mode against the Bucs.

Full Story - Bucs Wire

The 6-game winning streak buys you a mulligan or two. All goals are still attainable.

By Doug Mouton / WWL-TV Sports Director

NEW ORLEANS — We're not going to harp on the negatives from Sunday's loss to the Falcons, but our four takeaways start with a few stats that tell the tale...

4. The battle in the trenches

This game was lost up front, in the trenches. The Falcons rushed for 91 more yards than the Saints. From peewee ball through the NFL, if you dominate that number, you usually win.

Sean Payton said afterwards that was a factor, but so was third down conversions. The Falcons hit on 40 percent of their conversion. The Saints were just 3-12, or 25 percent.

Last season, the Saints were fifth in the NFL at 47 percent. The number against the Falcons, though, would be the worst in the NFL right now.

Drew Brees also took a beating: Six sacks and 11 quarterback hits for the Falcons. On the Saints’ ends, those numbers were one and five on Matt Ryan.

Again, beaten up front. So the real question is: Was it a blip, or is there cause for concern. I think it’s some of each.

Full Story - WWL-TV