With Jeff Duncan Welcome back to the Thursday edition of the Saints Insider newsletter. This week feels a lot different than last week, doesn’t it? Amazing what one win can do for moral and optimism. The Saints suddenly are relevant again. Thanks to their stunning 9-0 upset of the Tampa Bay Bucs on Sunday night, the season has a pulse. Hope beckons. This week’s game against the Miami Dolphins is a critical one in the road to the playoffs. Each time the Saints have had a big win this season – vs. the Packers, Patriots, Bucs, etc. – they’ve followed it up with a stinker performance. That’s why defensive coordinator/interim head coach Dennis Allen said the top challenge this week is trying to replicate the energy and intensity the Saints played with on Sunday night in Tampa. Now, on to our coverage this week: Four Saints made the Pro Bowl, including three repeat players. Amie Just has the story about the Saints all-star performers. https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_d6a5fa2e-638b-11ec-9a30-f7bfee6e6d86.html Cam Jordan is the Saints’ NFL Man of the Year award nominee. And he’s humbled by the designation. The veteran defensive end has become a New Orleanian and his mission is to help make a difference in the community. Luke Johnson has the story. The big win over the Bucs drastically improved the Saints’ playoff odds. Amie Just gives us the rundown of where the Saints’ postseason chances stand with three games to play. Columnist Rod Walker revisits the Saints’ first division title. Thirty years ago, the Saints finally broke through and won the franchise’s first NFC West Division championship with a win against the Phoenix Cardinals. Rod takes us a nostalgic trip down memory lane with Jim Mora and Bobby Hebert. And finally, tight end Adam Trautman was added the COVID-19 list and will miss the Monday night game against the Miami Dolphins. Amie Just has the full story on the latest Saint to be sidelined by the virus. We've got a lot more coming this week. Thanks as always for following along and for your continued support! - Jeff Duncan |