You have to go back to Monday, Jan. 25, the day after the Saints beat the Vikings to claim the NFC title. In a meeting with his coaches, Saints head coach Sean Payton was discussing the idea that they would do well to encourage the Colts to run.
"You guys can't be upset," Payton said to defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, "if they have 100 yards rushing."
Williams, who agreed with the sentiment, went a little harder.
"We can't be upset if they have 200 yards rushing," Williams said.
So a couple of days later, Payton addressed the defense in a team meeting and hedged.
"You guys can't be upset if they get 150 yards rushing," he said.