With all the talk of the financial crisis gripping the nation and seeing media reports of people panicking over their jobs, their homes and retirement it made me realize just how enjoyable watching NFL teams going through  their own weekly ‘crisis’ is so much fun.

I think it’s what makes us love the NFL so much.

Win on Sunday and life is fantastic.

In fact after the Saints beat San Francisco; it’s quite likely they will never lose a football game ever again.

As long as Sean Payton does exactly what I think he should.

Of course in Dallas after they lost to Washington; Wade Phillips has the intelligence of a gold fish for not running the ball more, Terrell Owens is going to implode the team, Jessica Simpson is poisoning Tony Romo and their fans are hoping they go to the Cotton Bowl and now understand the Super Bowl is a pipe dream.

An over reaction?

If you spend anytime on the internet or watch ESPN, you would realize I’m not exaggerating much at all.

I for one absolutely love it and think its one reason we love the NFL more than any other sport.

In real life I can’t be irrational about my credit card debit, house payments, trouble at work, or any other bumps in the road of life.

I can’t call my boss a stupid #$%^, #@%^, arrogant loser who should be sent packing to Greenland.

If I did that you’d say I was irresponsible or mentally unbalanced.

But when I talk about the Saints I can connect thoughts and beliefs that are completely over the top, possibly deranged, and definitely show signs of mental illness.

If Bob at work doesn’t get a report done or doesn’t make enough copies of it for a meeting and during said meeting I stand on the table and yell, “Fire Bob now! You are ruining my life.”

Well, I’d probably be escorted out of the building.

During the Denver game after Martin Gramatica missed a potential game winning kick; I wanted Martin cut, shamed, beaten, humiliated, and possibly indicted.

My feelings the next day were only slightly less forgiving.

Maybe just electro shock him to make him ‘understand’ his failings.

It’s what makes football so great. A whole week to celebrate wins or a whole week to blame coaches, players, God, the universe, Wall Street, and Oreo cookies for losses.

You know the guy at work on Monday who just shrugs and says, “Other team just played better. They get paid too.”

I hate that guy.

Clearly he doesn’t understand that when the Saints lose it has absolutely nothing to do with the opposition. It has to do with Sean Payton, the coaches, and the players failures as human beings.

I need to talk about the winning or losing all week.

Don’t you understand the Saints defense is clearly the second coming of the ’85 Bears.

They sacked the 49ers six times last week so of course against the Vikings I think 12 sacks is a reasonable expectation.

Crazy talk?

Exactly.  All those other sports play every day so the wins and loses just blur together. I don’t even think the NBA has an off season. Didn’t the Hornets just win a gold medal in China?

Whatever.

I love football because like Sean Payton says, “It’s either a carnival or a crisis.”

I have real life for things like sanity and rational thought.

On to this week’s games

Last week: 2-3

Season: 12-8

New Orleans (-3) vs. Minnesota:   As many emailers pointed out this week I’ve only predicted one Saints game correctly this season. The Saints have actually played a very tough schedule so far (opponents records so far is 11-5) so we may not have a good read on the defense yet.

Last week the Saints showed they can be adequate against average to mediocre offenses. Minnesota definitely qualifies as one. I’m guessing the Vikings coach, Major Dad, will run Adrian Peterson until he rushes for 250 yards or the Saints stuff him and lead by more than two scores. The Monday night crowd should help the defense.

On offense the Saints should be able to have their way with the Vikings secondary if they can give Drew Brees time to throw.

Minnesota is going to be desperate because 1-4 teams don’t make the playoffs. When the game is a toss up take the better quarterback so that means I’ll take the Saints. On Tuesday I think all the talking heads will be looking for tickets to the Saints bandwagon.

Let’s hope so at least.

Saints 23-13

Atlanta (+7) vs. Green Bay: Will we enjoy the Matt Flynn era? I sure hope so. I’ll take the home team in the Matt Bowl.

Falcons 17-13

Denver (-3) vs. Tampa: I have a feeling Denver is an 8-8 team but I’m thinking Brian Griese will throw a critical pick late. By the way did you catch Al Davis’ act this week? I’m not sure but I don’t even recall the Saints at their worst pulling something like that.

Davis was interviewing Lane Kiffin replacements on Monday night before he fired him.

I can only imagine how Kiffin thought of that.

Kiifin: Hey Tom want to go grab a bite to eat before we break down more film?

Tom Cable: Nah, got an interview.

Kiffin: For what?

Tom Cable: Your job.

I for one can’t wait for the Raider circus to get to New Orleans.

Where was I?

Broncos 31-27

Houston (+3) vs. Indianapolis: The Colts eventually will get things together right? Probably not. Nothing good lasts forever. On the bright side ESPN will have 980 stories next week on what’s wrong with the Colts. So they’ll have that going for them.

Texans 34-27

Miami (+6.5) vs. San Diego: Just because Norv Turner won two playoff games last year does not mean he’s a good coach. The Dolphins are 2-2! End of days is upon us.

 Dolphins 19-17

Ralph Malbrough is a Saints fan living in Houston. He can be reached at ralphmalbrough@hotmail.com. He also hosts an internet radio show at http://www.blogtalkradio/forecastradio. You can listen live or download archived editions at itunes.