Super Bowl Sunday is nearly here, Who Dat Nation — and the storylines are piling up faster than last call on Bourbon Street. If you’ve been watching the news this week, there’s a mix of tradition, surprise, and just plain spectacle heading into Patriots vs. Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium this Sunday.

Let’s break down some things worth talking about:

---

🟢 Odds & Predictions Are Shifting

Seattle is still the favorite according to most books, but the money’s been split — a lot of bettors are still hedging their bets on New England winning outright. That means people aren’t exactly confident this is a blowout either way.

This matchup may be closer than some think.

---

🤕 Injury Buzz and Player Status

Both teams have players listed on the Super Bowl injury reports — including several Seahawks listed as questionable. Staying healthy and having key guys available late in the game could swing this one dramatically.

---

🗣 Patriots Embracing Underdog Role

Boston insiders are leaning into being underdogs — and they’ve got some legit motivation. History shows underdogs have won a bunch of recent Super Bowls, and psychologically, that can matter in a one-shot championship like this.

---

📣 Hall of Fame Snub Adds Fuel

Someone stirred the pot this week: Patriots legend Bill Belichick — AND owner Robert Kraft — were reportedly snubbed from the Hall of Fame class this year. That’s extra bulletin board material the Pats can lean on.

Whether you love ’em or hate ’em, that kind of chip can be real motivation.

---

🎤 Off-Field & Fan Stuff

Fans have been buzzing about jersey issues — with the official merch partner apologizing for quality and supply problems — and ticket prices have actually dropped in the last few days. So not only is this a big game on the field, it’s a big conversation off it too.

---

🌎 Cultural Moment

From San Francisco’s fan experience build-up to Bad Bunny headlining halftime, the Super Bowl this year isn’t just a game — it’s an event. A celebration. A spectacle.

---

What This Means on Game Day

This one feels tight — maybe tighter than some early odds suggested. Seattle gets the edge on paper, but:

• Patriots aren’t scared of the underdog tag
• Both teams have strengths worth respecting
• A key injury or big play could flip momentum instantly

This isn’t just “a big game.” This is the kind of football you watch for keeps.

And Saints fans should pay attention — because everything we want our team to be about — toughness, finishing, discipline — gets put on display in moments like this.

Super Bowl Sunday isn’t just another game.
It’s the standard.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

What a ride it’s been, Who Dat Nation.

We tracked picks, saw playoff upsets, and watched every inch matter in January football. Now the board is set for Super Bowl LX — and it’s a matchup most people didn’t see coming back in Week 1: the New England Patriots vs. the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, February 8 in Santa Clara.

Before we preview the big game, let’s recap how our predictions shaped up and what that tells us about what’s ahead.

---

Recap of Our Picks

In the Conference Championships, we leaned on discipline and execution:

• Patriots over Broncos — ✔️ New England kept it tight and finished.
• Seahawks over Rams — ✔️ Seattle executed when it counted in their title game.

Those weren’t flukes — that was playoff football. Execution, physicality, finishing drives, and protecting the football. That’s what got these teams here.

---

Super Bowl 60: Patriots vs. Seahawks

We’ve got a fascinating matchup on our hands — a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX from 2015, but this time with an entirely different cast of characters.

Here’s what we know:

• Seattle Seahawks

• Finished the season 14–3 and punched their ticket with a gritty win in the NFC title game.
• Enter the Super Bowl as early favorites in most books.
• QB Sam Darnold is playing some of the best football of his career and has the Seahawks clicking.

• New England Patriots

• Also 14–3, and punched their own ticket with a defensive slugfest in Denver.
• Looking to win their seventh Super Bowl, which would break their tie with the Steelers for most all-time.
• Enter this game as underdogs, but that’s nothing new for a Patriots team that’s been underestimated before.

And this matchup has history — these two teams met in SB XLIX, where the Patriots won a thriller 28–24 in one of the most memorable finishes of the last decade.

---

Keys to the Game

Here’s what I’ll be watching:

⭐ Defense Wins on the Big Stage
Both units have been physical all season. In a game like this, turnovers and second-half stops are huge.

⭐ Quarterback Composure
Darnold’s playing with confidence. Drake Maye in New England has shown poise. Whoever makes the big play late — that’s the difference.

⭐ Experience vs. Momentum
Seattle has the favorite tag and a crowd that’ll bring energy, while New England has that old-school playoff grind mentality.

⭐ Narrative Matters, But Execution Matters More
History and rematches are fun — but in the Super Bowl, preparation and execution beat nostalgia every time.

---

Tony’s Super Bowl Pick

This feels like a close game — one that’s decided by a few big plays.

Seattle’s at home (sort of, against a neutral site but with a fan base near the Bay Area) and the odds reflect that — they opened as favorites by a few points.

But pride and grit matter in February.

Tony’s Pick:
Seahawks win in a tight battle — 28–24.

Part of me loves the narrative of a Seattle club getting redemption in a rematch of that classic from 11 years ago.
Part of me respects a Patriots team that never quits, especially with something historic on the line.

But give me the home favorite — and the team that’s playing the better football right now.

---

Bottom Line

From picks that held up, to this unlikely Super Bowl matchup, this season has been about belief and execution. Neither team was expected to be here early in the year — and that’s exactly why playoff football is so great.

Whatever happens on February 8, this one’s going down as one for the books.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Conference Championship Sunday is here, and if you’re looking for chalk, you’re probably looking in the wrong place.

Everyone’s talking about New England’s experience — and I get it. But don’t overlook what Denver brings into this game, especially at home, in January, with a coach who knows exactly how to win when it matters.

And Saints fans know that coach very well.

---

AFC Championship

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
3:00 p.m. — CBS

I’m gonna say it — I like Denver in this spot.

Yes, Denver lost their starting quarterback. Yes, New England has been here a thousand times. But playoff football isn’t played on résumés — it’s played in the trenches, in the cold, and under pressure.

Denver’s defense is the real story here. They’re fast, physical, and built to disrupt timing. That’s exactly how you beat a team that wants to control the game and grind you down.

And the coaching matters.

The Saints’ former coach now running things in Denver knows how to prepare a team for moments like this. He’s been in these games. He understands situational football. He knows how to shorten a game, lean on defense, and avoid the mistakes that end seasons.

What Denver needs to do:
• Run the football and control tempo
• Let the defense dictate the game
• Avoid turnovers — especially early
• Make New England earn every yard

If Denver keeps this close into the fourth quarter, the pressure flips — and that altitude starts to matter.

Tony’s Pick: Broncos win
Low-scoring, physical, and decided late.

---

NFC Championship

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
6:30 p.m. — FOX

Seattle at home in January is still one of the toughest environments in football.

The Rams have talent and momentum, but Seattle’s defense, crowd noise, and playoff experience give them the edge. They know how to play ugly and still win — and that’s what this game feels like.

Tony’s Pick: Seahawks win
Home field and late execution.

---

Why Today Matters (Especially for Saints Fans)

This is the football the Saints are trying to get back to.

Strong defense.
Smart coaching.
Winning close games without beating yourself.

Watching Denver today should feel familiar — because it’s built the way New Orleans won when it mattered most.

We’ll see who handles the moment.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Playoff football doesn’t leave room for sloppiness, and neither should a playoff column. Last week gave us tight games, hard lessons, and a reminder that January rewards execution, not assumptions.

So before looking ahead, here’s the clean, corrected look at how last week played out.

---

Last Week’s Picks — Final and Accurate

• Patriots over Texans — ✔️
  New England stayed patient, stayed disciplined, and finished. That’s what they do.
• Bills over Broncos — ❌
  Buffalo had chances and didn’t close. That’s the difference this time of year.
• Rams over Bears — ✔️
  Close game, late execution, Rams found a way.
• San Fran over Seahawks advance — ❌
  Seattle earned it. Physical, composed, and finished when it mattered.

That’s playoff football. You don’t hide from the misses — you learn from them.

Now we’re down to two games.

---

Conference Championship Sunday

Sunday, Jan. 25

AFC Championship

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
3:00 p.m. — CBS

This game changed the moment Denver lost their starting quarterback. There’s no way around that.

Denver’s defense is legit. Home field and altitude matter. But asking a backup quarterback to beat a Patriots team that thrives on discipline, patience, and exploiting mistakes is a tall order.

Key to the game:
Can Denver protect the football and keep this close into the fourth quarter?

Tony’s Pick: Patriots win
New England doesn’t need to dominate — they just need to stay clean.

---

NFC Championship

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
6:30 p.m. — FOX

Seattle at home in January is different.

The Rams have talent and momentum, but Seattle’s environment, experience, and ability to close games late give them the edge. They didn’t sneak into this spot — they earned it.

Key to the game:
Who controls the line of scrimmage and avoids the one mistake that flips momentum.

Tony’s Pick: Seahawks win
Home field, composure, and late execution decide it.

---

Big Picture

This is the football Saints fans are watching for a reason.

Not flashy.
Not perfect.
Just disciplined, physical, and composed when everything’s on the line.

Championship Sunday doesn’t forgive mistakes.
It rewards teams that know exactly who they are.

We’ll see who punches their ticket.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Who Dat Nation — we’re in the thick of it now. The regular season is behind us, and this weekend’s divisional round is where the NFL separates the good from the great.

Looking at the schedule, odds, injuries, and matchup nuances, you get a mix of experience, physicality, and high-stakes football that only January can deliver.

Here’s how I’m seeing it — in a way Saints fans can appreciate.

---

BUF vs. DEN

Big, physical, veteran battle.
Buffalo’s offense is explosive, and their defense isn’t afraid to get after you. Denver’s defense can keep you honest, but their offense hasn’t shown sustained consistency.

Tony’s take: Bills’ firepower edges this one.
Prediction: Bills win — Buffalo moves on.

---

SF vs. SEA

This is one of those classic playoff chess matches. San Francisco’s front seven can rearrange your game plan; Seattle’s offense has that late-game magic.

Tony’s take: Seahawks know how to win close; Niners know how to close out games.
Prediction: 49ers win — experience at the end of games matters.

---

HOU vs. NE

Houston’s been exciting — fast, aggressive, and young — but New England is playoff New England: disciplined, physical, and slow-to-panic.

Tony’s take: If NE controls the line and makes you one-dimensional, it’s trouble for Houston.
Prediction: Patriots win — home-field discipline wins out.

---

LAR vs. CHI

This one’s a toss-up on paper. The Bears are scrappy and well-coached; the Rams have that veteran feel and postseason momentum.

Tony’s take: Chicago’s a real story this year, but Rams experience is tough to bet against.
Prediction: Rams win — late drives decide it.

---

What This Weekend Is Really About

A few things stand out:

• Experience matters now.
Playoff games aren’t about potential — they’re about execution under pressure. Teams that have been here before tend to find answers when others panic.

• Defense still wins in January.
Big plays matter, but consistent stops win drives — and playoff coaches know that.

• Every game will be close.
Nobody’s riding to the championship on a runaway train this year. That’s what makes this slate exciting — and brutal.

---

Why This Matters for Saints Fans

Even though New Orleans isn’t playing this weekend, this is the standard every team in the league is chasing.
This is the kind of football we want the Saints to be ready for next season:

• Quick adjustments
• Finishing drives
• Getting stops when it matters
• Composure late in games

You can feel the difference between teams built for January and teams that aren’t. That’s the blueprint.

---

Bottom Line

Playoff football is here — and it’s glorious, nerve-racking, physical, and decisive.
Who wins? I gave you my calls.
Who advances? We’ll find out.

Most importantly: this is the level the Saints are trying to build toward.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

This past weekend reminded you why playoff football is different. Records matter less. Experience matters more. And mistakes get magnified.

You could see it right away — the teams that stayed calm, protected the ball, and leaned on who they are moved on. The ones that tried to get cute or fell behind early? They’re packing bags.

Now as we head into this next round, the picture’s getting clearer.

---

What Last Weekend Told Us

• Experience wins in January.
Veteran quarterbacks and teams that have been here before didn’t panic. They adjusted. That’s not coaching talk — that’s real.

• Defense still travels.
Cold weather, hostile environments, short weeks — defense keeps you alive. Teams that couldn’t get stops didn’t last long.

• Close games are decided late.
Every matchup came down to execution in the fourth quarter. One bad throw, one missed assignment, one drive you don’t finish — that’s the season.

---

Looking Ahead to This Weekend

Here’s how I see it shaking out.

Bills vs. Broncos

Buffalo’s been here too many times to let Denver hang around.
Prediction: Bills win — experience and firepower late.

49ers vs. Seahawks

This one’s tough because Seattle’s dangerous, but San Francisco knows how to close.
Prediction: 49ers win — physicality wears Seattle down.

Texans vs. Patriots

Houston’s fun, but New England knows how to play playoff football.
Prediction: Patriots win — discipline and defense.

Rams vs. Bears

Chicago’s season’s been impressive, but this is where the Rams’ experience shows.
Prediction: Rams win — quarterback play late makes the difference.

---

Big Picture

Nothing I saw last weekend surprised me — and that’s the point.

The playoffs don’t reward potential.
They reward execution, composure, and teams that know exactly who they are.

That’s the lesson for everyone watching — including the Saints.

This is what you’re building toward.
This is the standard.

We’ll see who keeps rising… and who blinks.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

The opponents for the 2026 season are set, and just looking at this list tells you one thing right away — nothing’s going to be handed to the Saints.

You’ve got division games you know are always a fight. You’ve got physical teams coming into the Dome. You’ve got tough road trips where you find out real quick what kind of team you are. That’s the NFL.

What jumps out to me is the balance.

The home slate gives fans some real matchups to get excited about. Familiar rivals, teams that travel well, and games where the Dome can absolutely make a difference. If this team is serious about building a winning culture, protecting home field has to be a priority.

The road schedule? That’s where growth gets tested. Playing away from New Orleans tells you who’s disciplined, who’s prepared, and who can handle adversity. Good teams win at home. Better teams find ways to win on the road.

This list also tells me something else — next season is about answers.

By the time these games roll around, we need to know:

• Who this team is offensively
• Whether the quarterback situation is settled
• Which young players are part of the future
• And whether the Saints can consistently finish games

No excuses. No hiding behind the schedule.

For the fans — especially season ticket holders — this should bring some optimism. There are meaningful games here. Games worth showing up for. Games that can tell us if the direction we started seeing late last season is real.

We’ll get dates and times later. But now that the opponents are locked in, the focus shifts to preparation, development, and expectation.

Because next year isn’t about hoping anymore.
It’s about proving.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Alright Who Dat Nation — the season’s done. No more scoreboard watching. No more “if this happens, then maybe.” It’s officially the offseason.

And honestly? I’m okay with that.

This year wasn’t what any of us wanted. The record tells that story well enough. But I’ve been a Saints fan too long to judge a season by one number alone. I’ve seen worse. I’ve seen better. And I’ve seen years that looked ugly on paper but quietly told you who was worth keeping around.

That’s what this offseason is about.

---

What We Learned

First things first — this team didn’t quit.

Down the stretch, when it would’ve been easy to pack it in, they kept competing. Wins on the road. Physical games late. Young players getting real reps and showing they belong. That matters more than people want to admit.

Tyler Shough didn’t answer every question, but he answered enough to make the conversation interesting. You saw growth. You saw poise in moments where earlier in the year things got shaky. That doesn’t crown anyone — but it gives you something to evaluate instead of starting from zero.

The defense showed pride. Even in games that slipped away, they fought. That’s a foundation you know you can build on.

---

What Has to Change

Now the honest part.

This team beat itself too many times. Penalties. Missed assignments. Drives that died for no good reason. You can’t survive in this league playing clean football only half the time — especially in a division that was there for the taking.

Execution has to get better. Period.

That’s coaching. That’s preparation. That’s accountability. And that’s what this offseason needs to be about — tightening things up so effort actually turns into wins.

---

What I Want to See This Offseason

I’m not asking for headlines. I’m not asking for splashy moves just to make fans feel better.

I want:

• Smart decisions
• Development of the young core
• Competition at every position
• A clear plan at quarterback
• And accountability across the board

Most of all, I want a team that knows who it is by Week 1 — not one still figuring it out in November.

---

The Bottom Line

I’ve lived through the bags-on-head days. I’ve lived the Super Bowl high. And I’ve lived plenty of seasons in between that tested your patience.

What keeps you going as a Saints fan is belief — not blind belief, but earned belief.

This offseason is where that starts.

Get it right, and this team can be right back in the mix.
Get it wrong, and we’ll be talking about the same issues next December.

I’ve seen enough to say there’s something here.
Now it’s on the Saints to prove they see it too.

On to the offseason.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Well Who Dat Nation — another season in the books.

No playoffs. No late-December home crowd still fighting. And plenty of moments that made you scratch your head. But if you look at the whole picture, this year was more than just a record. It was a story with lessons, growth, and a real sense of direction — even if it didn’t end the way we hoped.

---

The Good

✦ Signs of growth from the young core
This team didn’t quit. Especially late in the season, they showed fight. Against Carolina and Atlanta, they made opponents work in ways they hadn’t all year. You don’t fake effort — you either have it or you don’t. And this group found it down the stretch.

✦ Quarterback development
Tyler Shough showed growth as the season went on — not always clean, not always consistent, but competitive. You saw better command, more confidence, and moments where the game didn’t feel too big. That doesn’t answer every long-term question, but it does give the Saints something to evaluate and build on heading into next season.

✦ Defense still competed
Even when the offense sputtered, the defense battled. They created turnovers, made key stops, and kept games within reach. That’s no small thing. Defense wins games. It’s biblical — and this unit didn’t take the year off.

---

The Bad

✦ Mistakes kept piling up
Turnovers, penalties, missed opportunities, blown assignments — these weren’t one-off issues. They were consistent killers of drives and momentum. Against a division you had a shot in, those mistakes matter.

✦ Offensive inconsistency
There were high highs … and way too many low lows. Too many drives that looked promising turning into punts, turnovers, or empty possessions.

✦ Special teams wasn’t always special
There were good moments, but not enough consistency to trust that phase week in and week out. That’s points left on the board.

---

The Ugly

✦ Beating ourselves more than getting beat
That’s the part that stings most. The Falcons and Panthers weren’t world-beaters this year — and yet too many times the Saints looked like they lost to themselves. Missed blocks, miscommunication, penalties at the worst times … it added up.

✦ Wasted opportunities early
The season felt like a series of chances that could’ve flipped the narrative if just one or two things went differently. You don’t get those back.

---

The Bottom Line

This wasn’t a good year on paper. No playoffs. A record that hurts. But what you can take away is that this roster showed real signs of life — real growth — especially in the back half of the season.

Winning culture doesn’t come overnight. It comes from learning how to compete, how to finish games, how to stick together on bad days. And this team showed glimpses of that. Not enough to erase the feels of frustration, but enough that you can believe in the direction.

So as the season closes and we look ahead, let’s remember this:

The Saints didn’t fold.
They didn’t tank with no fight.
They competed. They grew.
And next year? You build on that.

Because Who Dat Nation doesn’t quit.
We just get louder.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank

Who Dat Nation — it’s finally here. Saints vs. Falcons. Rivalry. Division bragging rights. And everything you want from a December game.

Predictions are out, and sure, analysts are throwing out numbers and matchups — but today it’s about what happens on the field, not what’s on paper.

Here’s what I’m thinking as kickoff gets close:

🔥 1. This is our chance to finish strong
Whether it’s pride, momentum, or just proving you belong — this game matters. And winning in this division always feels better.

🛡 2. Defense needs to bring it early
Pressure. Third-down stops. Forcing the Falcons into uncomfortable situations. That’s how you take control of a rivalry game.

🏈 3. Let the offense play confident
Tyler Shough’s growth this season hasn’t been linear, but he’s shown he can make plays when it counts. Today’s the day to stay poised and capitalize on opportunities.

🎯 4. Protect the football — no freebies
Turnovers and penalties have killed drives too many times. Keep the chains moving, finish in the red zone with touchdowns, and make every possession count.

This is more than a game. It’s the last meeting of the season with Atlanta. For the fans in the stands today, for the people watching at home, and for this roster that’s starting to show flashes of what could be — this one matters.

Nothing flashy. Just physical, disciplined, smart football.

Let’s get after it.

Who Dat.

— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank