Fleur-de-Links - Jan. 4th: Saints To Enter Playoffs Without Chris Ivory

Just when it looked like we'd be one of the healthier teams entering the playoffs, the trap door opens and our active roster begins to resemble a M*A*S*H unit. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration. With Chris "The Tusk" Ivory getting placed on season-ending injured reserve today and Pierre Thomas still battling a long running ankle problem, it looks like we may have problems producing a decent ground attack in the playoffs and thereby taking some of the pressure off of Drew Brees.

But, looks can sometimes be deceiving when it comes to the mind of Sean Payton. He said last weekend (if he can be believed) that Pierre Thomas, Jeremy Shockey, and Marques Colston could have played if the game against the Bucs really mattered. He probably knew before going in, as did most everyone, that the Panthers didn't have a chance in hell of upsetting the Falcons and thereby giving us something to play for. Until he's forced by the league to give us an injury report tomorrow, it's impossible to know if these players will be able to suit up in Seattle. I'm betting he lists them all plus several more as questionable if for no other reason than to keep the Seahawks guessing right up until the last possible minute.

TWEETS:

AdamSchefter Saints placed RB Chris Ivory on reserve/injured list after he suffered a season-ending foot injury in Sunday’s regular season finale.

WILDCARD ROUND: 11-4 SAINTS vs. 7-9 SEAHAWKS?

Gripeless in Seattle: Rules are clear to make playoffs

2theadvocate.com | Saints | Saints just happy to play — Baton Rouge, LA

2theadvocate.com | Saints | MICKLES: Saints turn focus toward ‘2nd season’ — Baton Rouge, LA

Seattle game time forecast: Cold and rainy | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold
Though things could change, it appears it will be in the mid to high 30s with a chance of rain for the Saints game in Seattle Saturday.

Seahawks wear badge of dishonor | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold
Go ahead, knock them all you want. Plead and wish that the system was different and better teams would be rewarded for posting a winning record.

NFL Wild Card Saturday Preview - ESPN Video - ESPN
ESPN Video: Merril Hoge, Trent Dilfer preview Saints-Seahawks and Jets-Colts

NFL Videos: Playoff Anatomy: Saints' seam route
Bucky Brooks highlights a few ways Saints QB Drew Brees gets WR Marques Colston open on seam routes down the field.

NFL Videos: Pete Carroll locker-room speech
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll gives a signature enthusiastic speech to the troops after their victory over the Rams.

NFL Videos: Does Seattle deserve a home playoff game?
The "Total Access" crew debates whether the Seattle Seahawks, at 7-9, deserve a home playoff game vs. the 11-5 New Orleans Saints.

NFL Videos: X-Factors: Saints vs. Seahawks
The insiders from "No Huddle" debate which players will be key X-factors in the Saints-Seahawks playoff game.

NFL Videos: The Coaches: Saints or Seahawks?
Brian Billick and Jim Mora debate the Seahawks' chances of stealing a Wild Card win vs. the defending champion New Orleans Saints.

NFL Videos: Warner's wild-card picks
Kurt Warner and Charles Davis make their in the wild-card matchups.

The Seattle Seahawks. Deal With It, America. - NYTimes.com
How should we feel about the Seahawks? Do we adopt them as a plucky underdog, or do we root for a quick exit Saturday against New Orleans?

Jeffri Chadiha examines the NFC playoffs picture - ESPN Chicago
After the dust settled in Week 17, these are the 10 burning questions for the NFC playoffs, Jeffri Chadiha writes.

10 of the worst-ever teams to make the playoffs | Photos from seattlepi.com

Like it or not, Seahawks are in the playoffs

Williams 'very blessed' to receive 3-year extension
Mike Williams says he feels blessed to receive a 3-year contract extension from the Seahawks.

Jerry Brewer | Mike Williams' contract extension sends message to every Seahawk | Seattle Times Newspaper

Seahawks | Seahawks defense rises for occasion in spotlight | Seattle Times Newspaper

Seahawks | So you're saying there's a chance ... Seahawks wouldn't be first team to pull an upset in the playoffs | Seattle Times Newspaper

Seattle Seahawks G Chester Pitts, TE Chris Baker out vs. New Orleans Saints | NOLA.com
Pitts suffered concussion in win vs. Rams

Seattle coach Pete Carroll isn't ready to name a starting QB against the New Orleans Saints | NOLA.com
Matt Hasselbeck had a big game against the Saints in November

New Orleans Saints have at least nine players questionable | NOLA.com
Roundup of yesterday's top news from Saints camp

New Orleans Saints fans aren't flocking to Seattle this weekend | NOLA.com
It's a long, expensive haul -- and the money is better saved for the next game

New Orleans Saints foresee hard fight vs. Seattle Seahawks | NOLA.com
November's 34-19 romp means little, they say

Can the Saints count on Chris Ivory for the playoffs?: New Orleans Saints Mailbag | NOLA.com
Answering your questions

New Orleans Saints won't take Seattle Seahawks lightly | NOLA.com
Betting public emptying pockets on Super Bowl champs

NFC SOUTH:

Ron Rivera to interview with Panthers - NFC South Blog - ESPN
The Panthers already have asked the New York Giants for permission to interview defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. It is believed the Panthers are in the process of trying to set up interviews with several other possible candidates.

Richardson not optimistic about CBA - NFC South Blog - ESPN
"I personally am not as optimistic as some are that we are making much progress,’’ Richardson said as he held his first press conference in nine years to discuss the departure of John Fox and the coaching search that has just begun.

Looking at NFC South in Power Rankings - NFC South Blog - ESPN
The NFC South placed two teams in the top five with the New Orleans Saints coming in at No. 5. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are at No. 13, six spots ahead of the NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks.

Panthers will take Luck if he enters draft - NFC South Blog - ESPN

Mularkey to interview in Denver, Cleveland - NFC South Blog - ESPN
It already has been reported that the Denver Broncos are interested in Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey for their head-coaching job. But there is at least one other team in the game. That’s the Cleveland Browns.

LAGNIAPPE:

Payton's Monday Press Conference Transcript

Saints' 2011 Regular Season Opponents Announced

New Orleans Saints opponents for the 2011 season | NOLA.com
Breakdown of who is at the Dome and on the road

VIDEO: