Super Hope, Game Gives Fans Chance to Dream

By Jim Gazzolo

Sunday evening, the biggest pro football game of the year will be played. It is not one that was expected.

The Seattle Seahawks will take on the New England Patriots in a battle few expected back last summer. 

The Seahawks were considered a good, solid team with a playoff-worthy defense but lacking in offensive firepower. Seattle finished 10-7 last year and just missed the playoffs.

The Patriots, well, they were still thought to be a few years away. 

New England was just 4-13 the previous season and far from making the postseason. While they did have a young quarterback, nobody expected them to be a part of the title picture.

Now the Pats are in the championship game, on a remarkable turnaround that has their fans believing the franchise is on the verge of a new dynasty. 

That’s the beauty of the NFL: Things can turn around very quickly. It has happened before, largely because of a scheduling system that benefits the worst teams.

New England wasn’t the only team to turn things around; the Chicago Bears went from last place in their division to first behind a quarterback in his second year as well.

That could give the Saints and their followers a reason to dream.

The Saints found their young quarterback, had a big second half of the season, and now have money to spend on improvements. That is the NFL formula for turnarounds. 

Tyler Shough showed enough promise for the New Orleans fans to think maybe, just maybe, they can be the next Patriots. While still longshots, stranger things have happened.

First and foremost, the Saints need to put a solid offseason plan into place. There are a lot of holes to fill, but the Patriots were in the same situation. 

The biggest difference is that the Saints are not in that tough division. In fact, it may be the easiest of all eight, which makes a leap in the standings more practical to believe. 

Add the fact that they beat everybody from the division at least once last season, and suddenly hope is building. 

If nothing else, this gives the franchise momentum to sell not only to its fans but also to potential free agents looking for new homes. Money is one thing, but having a chance to win is another. 

Then there is a draft. Not having to pick a quarterback means a lot to a team as it opens selection and trade options.

So while you enjoy the game, Saints fans, you can also dream that maybe it won’t be that long before your team is back in the big game.

Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers sports in Southwest Louisiana. He is also the host of Poke Nation, which airs weekly on CBS Lake Charles.