New Orleans Saints Bad Day In The Bay

The New Orleans Saints came to town with high expectations of beating the San Francisco 49ers to advance to the NFC Championship game. With Quarterback Drew "bullseye" Brees leading possibly the best offense in the league, few if any gave much maligned 49ers quarterback Alex Smith a chance of matching Brees drive-for-drive.

The 49ers didn't blink as their defense did the usual bend but don't break dance step, while Alex Smith and the offense eventually found a way to get up off the mat and answer the bell. The game came down to 14 seconds for the 49ers offense at the Saints 14 yard line. knowing that choosing overtime against Dree Brees was like getting measured for your own coffin while still alive, the 49ers banked on the arm of Alex Smith and the hands of tight end Vernon Davis.

Almost 20 hours later, the 49ers and San Francisco Bay Area fans are still rollicking in the most intense, improbable home playoff victory of a bay area professional football team since the 49ers beat the Packers in similar fashion in 1999. Brees and the saints should be back in the "big easy" clearing out their lockers and wondering if they weren't victims of a phantom punch. They never saw it coming, the loss.

The words off everyone's lips who witnessed the game is simple and appropriate: Classic!

Congratulation San Francisco 49ers on eating through the leash of the underdog role buckled around your neck.

Wearing my Raiders Jersey I was welcomed in brotherly sports fashion while watching the game with 49er fans. Had they lost though, their hospitality could have dried up and become as cold as a witch's tit.