So it’s been four days since the greatest moment in Saints history, are you recovered yet? Or are you still going to youtube.com and replaying highlights of the blocked punt all day? Me too.

Associated Press

It won't be long before Scott Fujita becomes a local institution around town.

The thing I’ll remember most from Monday night, besides the punt block, was walking up to my seat and seeing all the other season ticket holders from my section. Everyone smiling and telling each other, “I knew you’d be back.” The game had a decidely 'first day back at school' sorta vibe to it. Buddy D always said the Saints bring New Orleans together like nothing else can.

We all know how special Monday night was, but walking out the stadium I asked myself, “Can this last all year?”

The national media doesn’t think so and their basic refrain was something like this: Enjoy it New Orleans, because the Saints schedule is brutal, they only won because of emotion and we need to get on with covering Terrell Owens 24/7. (Hey, nothing like hearing from 85 talking heads what they personally think of the T.O. situation, right?)

Something really good is happening with the Saints and if you were at the Superdome on Monday, you felt it.

While most NFL experts believe you need good coaching, a smart quarterback, and good lines to have a great season, I think you need some other ingredients that are just as important.

Great seasons also need a theme provided by a goofy slogan (Cha-Ching), a dance (Icky Shuffle, The Dirty Bird), or maybe even a player doing a cool signature move after a big play (the Broncos military salute after touchdowns).

All those teams at least made it to the Super Bowl. And the Saints had two of those things working for them on Monday night.

First, U2 and Green Day played the ‘The Saints are Coming’ to open the game and instantly provided the coolest theme song for any sports team in history. Why wouldn’t the Saints play it before they come on to the field before every game? Somebody get Doug Thorton on the phone and make this happen.

That alone would guarantee the Saints 10 wins, but then Scott Fujita broke out his Samauri Bow after sacking Michael Vick on the game’s third play. In three weeks, Saints defensive players will be bowing to each other after big plays, and fans will be wearing kimonos and Fujita jerseys all across town.

Good times are ahead people; I can feel it.

Okay on to my week 4 picks. (By the way, did you notice I am 9-1 the last two weeks?)

New Orleans (+7.5) at Carolina

Let’s just say the bookies in Vegas haven’t gotten the memo on the Saints just yet. Forget that the Saints are 3-0; 7.5 points are too many points to give between these teams almost any time. These two teams have played fantastic games the last three years.

Everyone is expecting an emotional let down from the Saints, but I don’t think it comes this week. By the way, how cool is it to know the Saints are frighteningly well coached and Sean Payton will have them well prepared every week?

We should have known the Saints would shut down the Falcon option play because defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs coached at Oklahoma against Tom Osborne and Nebraska. The game plan probably took him 10 minutes. There is a reason teams don’t run the option in the NFL, folks: it can’t work consistently.

Here is a question for you, Saints fans: “What do you enjoy more: experts ripping the Texans for not taking Reggie Bush or experts ripping Nick Saban for not signing Drew Brees?” It’s like vanilla and chocolate, both are great but together they are fantastic!

As for the Panthers game, look for the Saints defensive line to be able to get to Jake Delhomme and for the Saints offense to have success running the ball.

At some point the Saints will lose a football game. I just don’t think it’s this week. Saints 24-17

Arizona (+7.5) at Atlanta

The Falcons are still a solid team but Arizona’s defense will present some problems. Atlanta will win but it will be a struggle. Falcons 19-13

Miami (-4) at Houston

Yes, the Texans have the worst defense in football. Mario Williams got called out by the head coach this week and by not taking Reggie Bush, the organization has created a psychologically tortured an angry fan base but eventually they’ll play a competitive game, right? Exactly. Texans 16-13

San Francisco (+7) at Kansas City

I refuse to believe a team quarterbacked by Damon Huard should be favored by 7 points over anyone. 49ers 23-21

Seattle (+3.5) at Chicago

The 'Madden Curse' took down Shaun Alexander and now the Bears look like a lock to go 13-3 and have home field throughout the playoffs. Sorry, Seattle. Bears 27-17

Last week: 5-0

Season: 11-4

Ralph Malbrough is a Saints fan living in California in part because of Hurricane Katrina. He can be reached at ralphmalbrough@hotmail.com.