By Nick Underhill | The Advocate
BALTIMORE — For quite a while the Saints looked like the kind of team that can bang with the rest of the teams in the AFC North.
That’s saying something. Those are the kind of teams can go on the road and grind out games. Those are the kind of teams that can run the ball and play defense, which is often what you need to be able to do during the playoffs. New Orleans looked like that kind of team seeing how it grinded this one out against the Baltimore Ravens and their staunch defense.
This 24-23 win is significant. Baltimore is the biggest test the Saints have faced this season. In fact, outside of the Los Angeles Rams, who come to town the first weekend of November, this might end up being one of the two toughest opponents New Orleans sees all year.
This was a game where the result alters perception. A loss was going to create a dissection of the New Orleans offense up against a good defense and panic about a couple of poor moments. But with a win, everyone is in on the opening premise here, which is significant: The Saints need to win games like the one on Sunday. It matters. Not just for the standings, but for their psyche. ...
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