Voodoo Fest 2006: Ravens spook Saints in the Superdome

By Randy  |   Tuesday, October 31, 2006  |  Comments( 3 )

New Orleans Saints
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In a city known for its exotic festivals - where the dancing is elite and there's music in the street both night and day, in the words of Paul Simon - it was Voodoo Fest 2006 this weekend. However, it is seriously doubtful Marie Leveau herself could have saved the New Orleans Saints from the beast that struck on Sunday.

To borrow a line from Thriller, there was no escaping the jaws of the alien this time. The Baltimore Ravens' defense has never been known for providing second chances. Sunday was no exception. Baltimore is an obscene 41-1 under Brian Billick when taking a 14-0 lead. The Ravens' defense stared down Drew "Cool Hand" Brees and this time, it was Brees who uncharacteristically flinched, throwing two interceptions for touchdowns to a couple of Louisiana homeboys, Dawan Landry and Ronnie Prude.

Maybe the evil ghost of Edgar Allan Poe, who penned the classic poem, "The Raven," was lurking in the long, dark shadows of the Superdome on this Halloween weekend in New Orleans. The French Quarter had an ominous feel on Saturday night. Full Moon Fever. It was a harbinger of things to come.

Forgive denizens of the Crescent City for releasing a collective sigh of relief as the Baltimore team plane departed Louis Armstrong International Sunday night. Bad things seem to happen when these Ravens come to town. The last time they played a here, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city two days later, forever changing the face of the town on the Mississippi.

"Bad Karma," as they say down at Marie Leveau's House of Voodoo down on Bourbon Street.

Earlier in the week, Billick compared the Saints to the NFL's version of Mother Teresa. He said they were America's Sweethearts. Surely, if you beat them you would soon be featured on an upcoming episode of America's Most Wanted. He almost sounded resigned to defeat.

Brian Billick - Oh, how I so want you in my poker game.

Pardon the cliche, but the final score was deceptive. The outcome was never in doubt. The only missing elements from this cast: Vincent Price as P.A. announcer with Bella Lugosi, Boris Korloff and Peter Lorre providing play-by-play. And, perhaps, Ann Rice introducing Michael Jackson singing the Halloween classic "Thriller" at halftime. Although, this was more "Haunted History Tour" and less "Thriller" for the long, tortured fans of this franchise.

Bob Dylan wrote of New Orleans, "The Ghosts race towards the light. You can almost hear the heavy breathing - spirits all determined to get somewhere." Brees felt the cold talons and heard the heavy breathing of Ravens defensive linemen creeping up from behind all afternoon long.

Just in case you had any doubts, Ray Lewis is still Ray Lewis. Making tackles. Making plays in pass coverage. Flying in from at least a thousand different angles. A disruptive influence for opposing quarterbacks and running backs.

Multi-million dollar baby Reggie Bush raced toward the light only to find darkness - 16 yards on five carries, 4 receptions for 5 yards. Hilary Swank probably would have produced more total yards on this day. With the Saints trailing 7-0, the Saints drove to the Ravens 18. Bush took a handoff from Brees and lofted a pass into the Baltimore end zone that was intercepted by Ray Lewis. The Ravens took siege and never let up. It was just that kind of an afternoon for Brees, Bush and the black-and-gold.

A recent study suggested that a hunter is most effective when he is hungry. His senses are more keen. The Ravens must have skipped the Saturday night feast at Galatoire's. They must have bypassed the Sunday morning brunch at Brennan's. Under the direction of Billick, their offense looked hungry again. A rejuvenated Steve McNair looked 25 years old again as he slashed and dashed his way through a Saints defense that beat McNabb and the Eagles just two weeks before.

And, Jamal Lewis transformed himself into the Roto Rooter of the Ravens' offensive soul, plunging his way to 109 yards rushing.

Baltimore's defense looked even hungrier, looking every bit as dominant as the 2000 unit that managed to win a Super Bowl in spite of Trent Dilfer at quarterback. With demons closing in on every side, the unit limited Deuce McAllister and Bush to 27 net yards combined and amassed five total turnovers.

One Saints fan who identifies himself as "the Bearded Nun" probably phrased it best on a postgame call-in show, "You can not win when you have more turnovers than Gambino's baker."

Two hours before the game, French Quarter psychic Bruce Wilson - Bruce the Almighty as his friends call him-drew eleven tarot cards from his deck. Three of the cards revealed - luck, success and opportunity. Then, the Almighty proceeded to predict a three point Saints' win. As the final minutes ticked off the clock, Bruce the Almighty was long gone. Guess he did not feel like issuing refunds.

There is a French Quarter preacher who is always shouting through a megaphone, "Humility. It's the gemcasket of all virtues." In a city known for its world-class restaurants and fine cuisine, the Ravens served up a huge slice of humble pie to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Yeah, it was a downright frightful Halloween weekend in the Big Easy all right.

Chase the light with the New Orleans Saints at RealFootball365.com
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