It comes down to this: The Saints were a better team eight weeks ago than they are now. Part of that is injuries; part of it is game-planning since opposing coaches have something to go off every week. And the Patriots have followed the exact opposite trajectory. With rare exception, I've been more impressed every week, as if this team is slowly working its way back to its record form of 2007. And that's saying a lot. There's no shame in losing to Indy by one point, especially given the way it happened (I stand by Belichick who, I think, made the right call), but Sean Payton should be scared about his team's recent efforts, particularly a squeaker two weeks ago against St. Louis. When Belichick said recently, I don't think there's any better team in football than the New Orleans Saints, he was speaking of the past. By day's end, I believe the return to '07 form will be complete, and the Patriots will be victors, 38-27.