Saints, Colts in a league of their own

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Quarterback Drew Brees is the first-half MVP and has the unbeaten New Orleans Saints’ offence in top gear. (MATT SLOCUM / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES )

The NFL season is approaching the midway point and five teams have stepped forward as the league's elite: the New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots.

The Saints and Colts are the league's only remaining undefeated squads so they shoot forward to a group of their own.

Minnesota has done a nice job getting to 7-1 with their only blemish a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Vikings are balanced on offence and their defence is flashy if not consistent.

The Steelers are the defending world champs, and after some early bumps appear to have found their way. Still no sign of a running game and that keeps them from nudging into the space occupied by the Saints and the Colts.

New England has looked scary at times but there seems to be something missing. They haven't quite made a statement yet. There's potential for them to be a wrecking crew but we're still not sure.

That leaves us with the Colts and the Saints. Peyton Manning has been, well, Peyton Manning from the get-go and the Colts are clearly the class of the AFC. Their defence is better than people give them credit for, having allowed just 91 points against through seven games.

The Saints have come from behind, blown teams out and exposed the New York Giants as early season fraudsters. Drew Brees has been the best player in the NFL to date and they have Carolina, St. Louis and Tampa Bay to open November. Look for them to move to 10-0 before they host the Pats on Nov. 30. If the Super Bowl were played tomorrow, we'd take the Saints.

Have fun, and here are our swipes at Week 9:

SUNDAY

Washington at Atlanta, noon

Line: Atlanta -91/2

Big Mouth says: Atlanta straight up and Atlanta against the spread.

The Falcons are 4-3 but their losses have come at the hands of the Saints, Patriots and Cowboys. They've dropped two in a row and need a win this week. They'll drill the pitiful Washington team.

Arizona at Chicago, noon

Line: Chicago -21/2

Big Mouth says: Chicago straight up and against the spread.

The last time these two teams met in the regular season, Denny Green, the Cards coach at the time, had his famous, "the Bears were who we thought they were," press conference. This week, to borrow from Green's speech, we'll crown the Bears' ass.

Baltimore at Cincinnati, noon

Line: Baltimore -21/2

Big Mouth says: Baltimore straight up and against the spread.

Big game in the AFC North. Baltimore wins games when they run the ball and they can do that against the Bengals.

Houston at Indianapolis, noon

Line: Indy -91/2

Big Mouth says: Indy straight up and Houston against the spread.

The Colts are better in almost every team statistic. The Texans have a great young QB in Matt Schaub, one of the game's best receivers in Andre Johnson and they've won three in a row to make some noise. But this is Peyton and the Colts. Look for Dwight Freeney to make it a long day for Schaub.

Kansas City at Jacksonville, noon

Line: Jacksonville -91/2

Big Mouth says: Jacksonville straight up and K.C. against the spread.

Two dogs with little to like about either of them.

Miami at New England, noon

Line: New England -111/2

Big Mouth says: New England straight up and against the spread.

The Patriots had the bye and they looked great heading into it. Look for them to blow up and score major points.

Green Bay at Tampa Bay, noon

Line: Green Bay -91/2

Big Mouth says: Green Bay straight up and against the spread.

The Packers will have to get over the emotional letdown of losing to the Vikes last week, and here come the 0-7 Bucs with rookie Josh Freeman set to get his frist start. Look out. Raheem Morris could be in trouble where job security is concerned.

Carolina at New Orleans, 3:05 p.m.

Line: New Orleans -14 1/2

Big Mouth says: New Orleans straight up and Carolina against the spread.

The Panthers have won six of the last seven in this series, including a meeting last season. That trend will hit a bump in the road this week and the Saints will prevail. But we like the Panthers run game to keep it closer than two majors.

Detroit at Seattle, 3:05 p.m.

Line: Seattle -101/2

Big Mouth says: Seattle straight up and against the spread.

The Seahawks are a riddle but the Lions were drummed by the Rams last week, making them difficult to believe in.

San Diego at New York Giants, 3:15 p.m.

Line: New York -41/2

Big Mouth says: San Diego straight up and against the spread.

Philip Rivers will have a field day against the Giants DBs and Eli Manning will continue to struggle.

Tennessee at San Francisco, 3:15 p.m.

Line: San Francisco -31/2

Big Mouth says: San Francisco straight up and Tennessee against the spread.

Tough to take the Titans on the road but Chris Johnson's running ability will keep this close.

Dallas at Philadelphia, 7:20 p.m.

Line: Philadelphia -21/2

Big Mouth says: Philadelphia straight up and against the spread.

The Cowboys don't win big games and we don't like them on the road. The Eagles looked real solid spanking the Giants last weekend.

MONDAY

Pittsburgh at Denver, 7:30 p.m.

Line: Pittsburgh -21/2

Big Mouth says: Pittsburgh straight up and against the spread.

The Broncos suffered their first loss of the season to the Ravens last week. The Steelers, who had last week off, play a similar style to the Ravens on D and they'll give Kyle Orton a tough time.

* * *

LEAD PIPE CINCH: Atlanta, New Orleans, Green Bay, Seattle

FAN RANT: Send us your thoughts and from time to time we'll print some. On Monday we asked Vikes fans about their new love for Brett Favre. Here's what John Horn had to say:

"I'm a Vikings fan dating back to 1968, the first year the Vikings won the Black and Blue Division, so I feel I can speak to your question of how we purple bleeders would feel if Brett Favre were to be the one to finally lead us to the promised land. I have lived and died through the many wonderful regular seasons and the almost as many devastating playoff losses that occurred during the eras of Bud Grant to Jerry Burns to Dennis Green to Mike Tice and now to Brad Childress.

First off, contrary to common belief, Brett didn't dominate the Vikes over his 16 years in Green Bay. The overall record, including a playoff meeting, was Favre and the Pack - 17, Vikings - 15, with Minnesota winning the 2004 playoff game. There isn't really any scar tissue there.

Brett has always been extremely easy to like so I can honestly say that I would be thrilled if he led the Purple to a Super Bowl win. It won't totally make up for the four previous Super Bowl disasters or the 1975 Roger Staubach to Drew Pearson Hail Mary pass or the nightmarish loss to Atlanta in the 1998 NFC Championship game but it would lift a tremendous weight off of the shoulders of those of us who have suffered through the so near, yet, oh so far heartbreak of the last 40-plus years."

FANTASY TIPS: Grab Texans running back Ryan Moats immediately. Steve Slaton found himself on the sidelines holding his helmet after being benched for a first-quarter fumble. All Moats did was rush for 100-plus yards and three TDs in Slaton's place in a big road win.

OUR RECORD: Overall we're now 77-37 straight up and 57-57 against the spread.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 5, 2009 C4