OK, folks. That overwhelming 55-point defeat of the Indianapolis Colts by your New Orleans Saints was certainly a heaping tablespoon of fun last night, wasn't it?
Quite a reversal (that was 38 years in the making) from the season-opening 62-7 loss the Saints suffered at the hands (talons) of the Atlanta Falcons in Tulane Stadium on September 16, 1973. (Fun fact: that game was scoreless after one quarter.)
Take it all in, enjoy the post-game coverage, and then get ready to start getting ready for the Rams (who gave up over 230 rushing yards to DeMarco Murray of the Dallas Cowboys yesterday).
Jump...now!
Saints Dominate Colts, 62-7 | neworleanssaints.com
Staff report.
New Orleans Saints take franchise record win over Indianapolis Colts, 62-7 | sportsnola.com
Chris Seeman - What was supposed to be a marquee matchup between two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL on Sunday in the Superdome lost a lot of its luster in the preseason when it was announced that Peyton Manning would likely miss the entire season.
Brees fires 5 TD passes; Saints set franchise points record | The Advocate
Sheldon Mickles - In their first game in the newly named Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday night, the New Orleans Saints performed like a top-of-the-line model from the famed German automaker.
New Orleans Saints get record-setting 62-7 win over Colts | NOLA.com
James Varney - They tie record for most points scored since merger.
NFL Game Center: Indianapolis Colts at New Orleans Saints | nfl.com
Includes statistics, official Gamebook, play-by-play, drive charts, and highlights.
Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans Saints| ESPN.com
Final statistics from the Indianapolis vs. New Orleans game played on October 23, 2011. Includes play-by-play, drive charts, and photos.
Photo Gallery: New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts | NOLA.com
G. Andrew Boyd / John McCusker.
From the Saints Sideline
New Orleans Saints have no mercy vs. Indianapolis Colts | NOLA.com
Jeff Duncan - (HansDat note: The marketing plan of MB has worked to insidious perfection - check out how the impartial media gives them free advertising in the first game report from the Dome since the rights were purchased...smh.)
Recapping the New Orleans Saints' 62-7 win over the Colts | NOLA.com
Mike Triplett - Pete Carmichael finally gets his due.
New Orleans Saints' turnover-starved defense feasts on Colts | NOLA.com
John DeShazier - Defense sets tone early with fumble recoveries.
Kick 'em when they're down | wwltv.com
Bradley Handwerger - Indianapolis was the perfect foil for a Saints team coming off of a heart-breaking loss and New Orleans took full advantage, scoring on its first eight possessions of the game on the way to a 62-7 demolition of the Colts.
Saints finally see turnovers bounce their way | wwltv.com
Bradley Handwerger - New Orleans went into Sunday night’s game against Indianapolis mired in a takeaway slump.
Saints get back to playing to their standard | wwltv.com
Bradley Handwerger - When the Saints returned from Tampa Bay a week ago, coach Sean Payton knew something needed to be said.
Carmichael shows the Saints will be fine with Payton in the booth | wwltv.com
Bradley Handwerger - For much of the past five-plus seasons, Sean Payton and his Saints have espoused time and again the "next man up" mantra.
New Orleans Saints' Mark Ingram has best game before leaving with injury | NOLA.com
Nakia Hogan - News and notes from the Saints' sideline. (HansDat note: article includes a player shilling for the car company, too...still smh)
Saints Postgame Notes | neworleanssaints.com
Staff report.
Fast start fuels big win | The Advocate
News and notes by Sheldon Mickles and Brian Allee-Walsh.
Records tied or broken by New Orleans Saints in rout of Colts | NOLA.com
Staff report.
By the numbers, it was a quite a night for the New Orleans Saints | NOLA.com
Bob Fortus - They won nearly every statistical battle vs. Indianapolis Colts.
New Orleans Saints game balls vs. Indianapolis Colts | NOLA.com
John DeShazier - Offensive, defensive and special teams standouts.
Grading the New Orleans Saints offense vs. the Colts | NOLA.com
Staff report.
Grading the New Orleans Saints defense vs. the Colts | NOLA.com
Staff report.
Grading the New Orleans Saints special teams vs. the Colts | NOLA.com
Staff report.
Grading the New Orleans Saints coaches vs. the Colts | NOLA.com
Staff report.
Wrap-up: Saints 62, Colts 7 - NFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Pat Y. - Thoughts on the New Orleans Saints' 62-7 victory against the Indianapolis Colts at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. (HansDat note: In this piece, Pat has a factual error - a Saints commemorative Super Bowl Coke Zero to the one who first names and claims it.)
Colts Corral
Saints go up 4 TDs before Colts know what happened | indystar.com
Phil Richards - Ouch. This one was embarrassing. It started with center Jeff Saturday's shotgun snap bouncing off quarterback Curtis Painter's face mask. It got worse.
Colts defense offers no resistance to Saints | indystar.com
Phillip B. Wilson - Anyone tuning in with the expectation of seeing Indianapolis Colts defenders showing resistance Sunday night ended up waiting awhile.
Carter can't savor this game | indystar.com
Mike Chappell - It would have been a game for Delone Carter to remember if it hadn't been one for the entire Indianapolis Colts organization to forget.
Colts-Saints postgame: ‘The Big Easy’ indeed | indystar.com blogs
Phillip B. Wilson - Don’t write this off as just another bad night at the stadium. Nope. Not this time. Team Competitive became Team Collapse Sunday night. Officially.
Wrap-up: Saints 62, Colts 7 - AFC South Blog | ESPN.com
Paul Kuharsky - Thoughts on the Indianapolis Colts' 62-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Post-Game Quotes
all via neworleanssaints.com
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS COACH SEAN PAYTON
"I was real proud of how we played tonight, how we handled the week of practice. We spent a lot of time in the week talking about us, playing our best football. Although we were 4-2, we hadn't done that. We did a good team as a team, as a coaching staff, with our focus on how we were going to play. You have to spend time on the opponent, but we did that well.
"One of the components this week that really wasn't announced and for good reason was how we were going to handle the game logistically, not just me being in the press box but how we were calling the plays. A bigger issue is the involvement in the game plan on Monday, the involvement on Tuesday, and then it progresses through the week. I just gave the game ball to Pete Carmichael. He called every play tonight and he was outstanding. He's one of the guys that came in '06. He came from San Diego and became our quarterbacks coach, and later offensive coordinator. He's completely in tune to what we're doing and more than qualified to call an offensive game, and that was a heck of a first one for him.
"We'll have a chance to get back in a normal routine this week.
"I don't have any information on Mark (Ingram). The x-rays were negative. He'll be dealing with a bruise this week.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS PLAYERS
QB #9 DREW BREES
"I'm sure they (Mercedes-Benz) were pleased with the result of their first game. Our fullback, Jed Collins, wants to rename the end zone the Benz-Zones.
"No matter what happens, whatever we face, it's next man up. Pete (Carmichael Jr.) did a phenomenal job. It was a great execution of our game plan. It was a tough week for all of us and I think coming off that Tampa loss, we have a good standard for the way we operate and the way we play.
"Red zone efficiency got back on track, seven of eight. We're always thinking about the one that got away. We got big plays from time to time in both the run game and the pass game.
"We've got a lot of respect for that football team on the other side in what they represent. We just kind of hunkered down and just talked about the things that make us a great football team.
"Really everybody stepped up this week and picked up the slack. It felt like we still prepared just like we always do and it went off without a hitch. I think Sean would be the first one to tell you that.
(on scoring 62 points) "First of all, you've got to get a lot of opportunities to score that many people. Offensively, we scored on just about every drive. It was crazy."
WR #12 MARQUES COLSTON
(On getting a rhythm going with Brees) "Definitely. It feels good especially coming off my injury earlier in the season. I feel like I am in a groove. Drew and I are on the same page and hopefully it continues. "
(On if he was surprised of tonight's outcome) "We expected to see a good Colts team coming in here. We were able to get up early and keep the intensity up for the whole game. "
(On coming back after a tough loss) "This was definitely the game that we needed after coming off the tough loss last week. The defense really played well tonight. We really played with a lot of intensity. We still have some things to correct, so we will go ahead and look at the film tomorrow. "
(on Jimmy Graham) "He's a guy that obviously is a very talented young player. It's kind of funny for me to be saying that, being an old vet now. He's worked extremely hard.
(on loss to Bucs) "We definitely took it to heart. It's unfortunate that it happened, but this was the perfect game for us to get back on track.
TE #80 JIMMY GRAHAM
"It's fun playing games like this, when it doesn't matter what you call, it's working. Pete did a great job.
"It seemed like we were gone for about two months. It seems like each game I play here, it gets louder and louder.
"We've got to keep working. Tonight, Sean Payton was talking about us working on some things that we hadn't done well - red zone, turnovers and the running game.
"The whole practice I sat out (last week), I sat next to Sean Payton. He was jawing my ear off.
(on Marques Colston) "It's amazing just how he's taken me under his wing. Ever since camp started, he's a stickler on me in practice. He's been like my support this season with Shockey gone. He's quiet; he really only talks to me when I do something bad."
CB #24 LEIGH TORRENCE
(On his last touchdown prior to tonight) "I think my last touchdown was my senior year of high school. However, I did score last year in the pre-season. This was my first touchdown in live action on Sunday when it counts. "
(On the interception) "We had a zone defense call and our line did an excellent job of getting pressure. It was the point of the game where we had established that we were going to be disruptive up front. The quarterback overthrew one and I was able to make the catch. I was able to get a return set up to the side and found my way into the end zone."
(On not being denied a touchdown) "I was hearing Gregg Williams' voice in my head. We have been talking about turnovers and scoring on defense. We got a turnover on the first series and it really set up the tone for the game. It's something that you can keep talking about, but you have to capitalize on those plays when they come in the game. We were able to do that today. Hopefully, we can build some momentum off this as we move forward in the season."
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS COACH JIM CALDWELL
(On what you tell the team after a loss like that) "You just tell them the truth. We didn't play well. The team played better than we did in every area. We just got whooped all across the board. You just have to face the facts. They did a great job. They only had four incompletions the whole night. They ran for 233 yards. They converted almost all of the third downs. Obviously, when we turn the ball over, particularly early on against a team like that, a very good team ... it gives them a jump-start. It's going to be very, very tough to come back from. They just kept rolling. Nine consecutive drives they scored on. We just didn't do a good job all across the board.
(On how the team was so flat tonight) "It's one of those things that once you don't do the little things right, there is a lot of bad things that happen to you. Obviously, I have to take responsibility for our team and the way that they played. We just didn't play well. The first game (of the year) was probably that way. In between, we fought and at least had a chance in the ball game. This one was obviously over with before long."
(On if he was pleased with the effort) "I think the guys fought. We didn't execute well, but I think the effort was good."
(On what he expected from his secondary tonight) "We anticipated that we would be able to cover well enough to slow them down a little bit and get a little bit of pressure from our defense up front. He (Drew Brees) literally, did pretty much what he wanted to ... They ran the ball. If you don't make them one-dimensional, that team is tough to handle. If they can run it and throw it on you, it's going to be difficult. He's (Brees) going to get some on you, in terms of the pass game. You know that. You just can't let both phases get away from you."
(On a positive from tonight) "The only thing we were able to do is keep (Darren) Sproles in check somewhat, just in terms of the kicking game."
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS PLAYERS
QB #7 CURTIS PAINTER
"We just didn't play well tonight. We made way too many mistakes and it started early with the first turnover. Anytime you play a team as good as them they are going to make you pay."
(on first turnover) "Obviously the play didn't go off as planned. It was a case of miscommunication. It's just one of those little things that needs to get fixed.
"It's hard to say this game was a step back for us. Obviously we need to work on some things. We are just going to have to keep working to get it straight. But it's hard for me to stay if we are stepping back."
WR #17 AUSTIN COLLIE
"This is not how we play the game. I mean we come out here and work hard and try to win the game. Honestly I don't think we showed up to play. Our mindset could have been a whole lot better."
DE #98 ROBERT MATHIS
"This loss sums up the season so far. We aren't proud of what happened out there tonight."
DB #41 ANTOINE BETHEA
"We just can't do that. I mean, 62 points against us? That's embarrassing. You can call it what you want. We just have to go back to work tomorrow."
V-Roll Roll Call