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The Who Dat Nation has taken it on the chin a lot this season. The Saints are 4-6, but it's the way they've arrived at that record that is most disheartening.
With so much talent on offense, it is downright unfathomable unforgivable for this Saints team to score only 10 points at home against a Bengals defense that is simply not that good.
I always like to capture the fans emotion as the game unfolds. It hasn't been pleasant the past two weeks y'all, but if we're going to enjoy the win, we have to be able to take the losses.
The Saints, as you all know, are still in it (thanks NFC South) so don't jump off the ledge just yet. But if you really have to jump, read this recap first, then put a big puffy mattress under the balcony, then jump. The adrenaline will wake you up, the scare will remind you that there are still important and enjoyable things in life: like 2014 LSU football. Wait, no, not that. Like spending time with your family and eating gumbo.
Here's the live tweet recap:
***
Minutes Before the Game
As always, the enthusiasm was high before the game.
@TheJimmyGraham pic.twitter.com/2yu7PsgjW4
— Bobby Harrison (@Bobbyh1265) November 16, 2014
saints cheerleaders dancing to the backstreet boys and nsync YES
— Maddy (@laddy650) November 16, 2014
OH YEAH! #WhoDatNation #SaintsGameDay pic.twitter.com/cFKGR9ZuGC
— Rob Ryan's Stomach (@RobsStomach1) November 16, 2014
Headed to @five_guys to pick up my gametime meal #whodat pic.twitter.com/2IXQEAujFk
— Rod Fulton (@ricky_the_tiger) November 16, 2014
#winndixiegameday #WhoDat pic.twitter.com/t0VTCGZw3n
— Die Hard Saints Fan (@SexySaintsFan28) November 16, 2014
Who dat>>> who dey
— Lindy (@lindyla9) November 16, 2014
Tradition
LET'S GEAUX SAINTS!! #WHODAT #winndixiegameday pic.twitter.com/VzbM0BhulR
— Rachel Tumminello (@rachtummi) November 16, 2014
For a brief moment, the enthusiasm even went up a little bit.
Saints Up 3-0 from a field Goal
— SaintsUK (@UKSaints) November 16, 2014
Ok drive by Saints, Brees was kind meh that drive. Bengals keying on Ingram
— Ralph Malbrough (@SaintsForecast) November 16, 2014
But that wasn't going to last as the Bengals fumbled their way into a 7-3 lead.
Wow... What a missed opportunity for the #Saints right there
— T-Bob Hebert (@TBob53) November 16, 2014
It's 7-3 and y'all already calling for Drew's head.... SMFH.
— Rachel Tumminello (@rachtummi) November 16, 2014
Really look liked Gresham kicked the ball away from Saints players. Play is under review
— Saints Updates (@SaintsMSU) November 16, 2014
Tight End Kicks Ball Into End Zone And bengals score On An Illegal Play they lead 7-3 3:17 Left 1st Qtr
— WeAreTheWhoDatNation (@WATWDN) November 16, 2014
***
Killing Me Softly (And slowly)
The Saints would then go on a 17-play drive that took a looooong time and resulted in...nothing.
4 plays from inside the 3 and no points
— Sean Fazende (@SeanFazende) November 16, 2014
Un fucking believeable
— 4-6 we suck! (@MsCherry22) November 16, 2014
Hmm woulda gone the FG and points there
— Sue D (@Whodatshewolf) November 16, 2014
Just shy of 30 offensive plays and only 3 points.... This is not how it usually works in the dome! #Saints
— Martin X (@The_MartinX) November 16, 2014
Starting from the shadow of their goal line, Andy Dalton would quickly get the Bengals into Saints' territory.
The Saints have the uncanny ability to make average teams look like Lombardi trophy contenders.
— James Cullen (@AccidentalCajun) November 16, 2014
#saints will try to stop Bengals on third down for the first time on their fifth try of the day.
— Ramon Antonio Vargas (@RVargasAdvocate) November 16, 2014
New Orleans did stop the Bengals, who kicked a field goal for a 10-3 lead.
***
Is it Christmas Yet?
After Brees and Co. kept sleepwalking through the first half and gave the ball back to Cincy, the Bengals were content to run out the clock at the end of the second quarter. Little did they know that the Saints defense was in a very giving mood. New Orleans' defense allowed rookie RB (and former LSU standout) Jeremy Hill to rip off a 62 yards run to put the Bengals in field goal range again with one second left.
Lmfaooooooooo....I have nothing to say
— Who Dat Dirk Diggler (@Mr_NastyTime623) November 16, 2014
The Bengals are just disrespecting the Saints in there own house. This is not fun to watch..
— BELIEVE.... (@ebaudo) November 16, 2014
It's crazy how Rob Ryan gets the blame for grown ass men getting paid millions not being able to tackle
— Who Dat Dirk Diggler (@Mr_NastyTime623) November 16, 2014
Redemptorist high school Baton Rouge stand up! Yeah I said it gotta cheer for something!! This is some Bullshit. ..
— Latrell Williams (@Raye_100) November 16, 2014
Hey look, Twitter (unlike SB Nation) hasn't unfairly banned StuJo
Bold statement. RT "@stujo4: Sean Payton has lost control of this team. #SaintsGameday"
— Canal St. Chronicles (@SaintsCSC) November 16, 2014
At the half, the Bengals led 13-3. Not an insurmountable lead against the high-powered Saints offense. At least, that's the belief we all clung to.
Halftime Stats Brees: 15 of 20 for 118 yards Ingram: 14 carries for 33 yards Colston: 2 catches for 32 yards
— Saints Updates (@SaintsMSU) November 16, 2014
This is only the fourth time in the Payton era that the Saints have scored 3 or fewer points in the first half of game at Superdome.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) November 16, 2014
Saints down 10 at the half. Last time N.O. lost back to back home games with Sean Payton and Drew Brees? weeks 15-16 2009
— trey wingo (@wingoz) November 16, 2014
***
Even The Leg?
The second half starts, and you know that things aren't going the Saints way when old-reliable punter Thomas Morstead shanks a punt.
On 3rd & 5 Colston bobbles the ball & can't come up with it. 4th and 5 and Morstead gets off an ugly punt. Bengals to take over at midfield
— Saints Updates (@SaintsMSU) November 16, 2014
When The Leg is screwing up....I give up
— Saints & Stuff (@BourbonAndBeer) November 16, 2014
RT "@ccothron427: Here we go with cut Morestead... lmfao"
— SAINTS! (@HouseOfShanel) November 16, 2014
Then the Saints defense allowed the Bengals to extend the lead to 20-3.
That siren alerts the fans that the opposing offense is about to pick up a first down.
— Wolf (@Breesiest) November 16, 2014
And there it was, after the Bengals touchdown, an old jerk wearing a Saints cap intercepted the football that Cincy tight end Jermaine Gresham was throwing to a Bengals fan.
This Saints fan stole the football from that Bengals fan #Saints
— Blake Gravis (@FutureofESPN_BG) November 16, 2014
Dude needs to give that lady her football. Lol!
— J. C. Saints '14~'15 (@jimmyjames009) November 16, 2014
This is all I'm seeing on FB and twitter. Someone should hunt that asshole down. pic.twitter.com/TC7qyEoxlm
— ⚜ Lindsey ⚜ (@Brock0104) November 16, 2014
Jermaine Gresham intended to give his TD ball to a Bengals fan. The Saints fan on the left was having none of it. pic.twitter.com/MPtrcicxYx
— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) November 16, 2014
You know you're having issues when this is your defensive play of the game. #WhoDat pic.twitter.com/ko7gGZjvBU
— Jeff Leblanc (@JMLeblanc23) November 16, 2014
Can we get that ball stealing old man on our secondary please?
— Claire Langlois (@_ClaireLanglois) November 16, 2014
— Man, No Words (4-6)™ (@jay_gizzle) November 16, 2014
Nice that the @Saints gave this @Bengals fan a ball after a Saints fan stole hers. She is Christa Barrett. #Classy pic.twitter.com/DQMA2w87gJ"
— Jen (@924Jen) November 16, 2014
Who Dat Nation : it is 20- 3 Bengals killing Saints in Superdome. Somebody please tell me something????????????????????????????????????????
— Latrell Williams (@Raye_100) November 16, 2014
***
False Hope
The Saints, as they've done often this year then gave a glimmer of hope to their fan, cutting the lead to 10 with a Stills touchdown reception from Drew Brees.
Saints cut it to 20-10. There's hope with a quick stop here.
— Saints Nation Blog (@SaintsNationBlg) November 16, 2014
Great catch by WR. Kenny Stills, repeat Drew Brees has great trust in Stills, Bengals-20 Saints-10
— Michael Detillier (@MikeDetillier) November 16, 2014
***
Yeah, No.
That burst of hope was short-lived, Cincinnati would quickly respond with a touchdown that would be the last score of the game.
Dark times, my friends. #WhoDat4Ever though. pic.twitter.com/s69YzIQUw1
— Carolyn Scofield (@NewsCarolyn) November 16, 2014
We MUST be playing in CINCINNATI ..... Somebody PLEASE lie to me and say it is!
— ____ (@WhoDat_225) November 16, 2014
Rob Ryan's defense is making Andy Dalton look like he actually deserves $100 million
— Dirty Sports (@TheDirtySports) November 16, 2014
The only positive of that drive: it only took off 3 minutes and 17 seconds off the clock
— Saints Updates (@SaintsMSU) November 16, 2014
OMG. Football Jesus, what has the state of Louisiana done to offend you? Why have you forsaken us??? pic.twitter.com/7D5NjyYVQe
— Gordon Gortrell (@gordongortrell) November 16, 2014
***
You Are What Your Record Says You Are
But guess what, the Saints, thanks to their horrendous division, are still in it.
Let me hear ANYONE in the #NFCSouth talking shit. pic.twitter.com/wlQ0J1tv84
— Steph (@NOLADuchess) November 16, 2014
@SaintsCSC Here's what I think the View from Section 140 should look like this week. pic.twitter.com/8djB57c4is
— Matthew (@mknkachow) November 16, 2014
Blew dat. pic.twitter.com/6XfNDLVJbV
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) November 16, 2014
***
We may suck, but we march on Who Dat Nation, we march on!
#WhoDatNation 4-6 ✊
— RIP Jason (@CreoleCockpit_9) November 16, 2014