Tim Brown: Make the Call With RIM

What a difference a week can make. In one of my columns last week, I went over the NFL playoff picture. I noted how the Green Bay Packers were fighting for the division crown and the New Orleans Saints were a long shot to make the playoffs. Both teams were 5-5 at the time, but the Packers were in a weaker division and fighting for the title, and the Saints were pulling up the rear of a much tougher division.

Well, last night the two teams faced off in a Monday Night matchup. The results were not pretty for the Pack and the ending could have serious implications on the playoff race with just five weeks remaining in the NFL regular season.

The Saints kicked a field goal with two seconds remaining before the half to pull ahead 24-21 in a game that had seesawed back and forth for most of the first two quarters. However, in the third quarter it all fell apart for the Pack. The Saints scored three straight touchdowns, including one on a 70-yard pass from Drew Brees to Marques Colston that put them up 45-21. The final score was an embarrassing 51-29. ...