In case you didn’t realize it, the playoffs for the Saints started in Kansas City two weeks ago. Any loss between now and January all but squashes, pisses on, and kicks our postseason hopes down a storm drain. EVERY game means win or go home.

So when we storm into Tampa Bay’s territory this Sunday, we won’t only need the confidence from Monday night’s ass-kicking against the Packers. We’ll need the kind of strategizing and poise that would make even Sean Payton’s temples throb. Immediately 5 questions come to mind.

1.) How do we build on our confidence without going into this game over-confident?
Is it just me or does it seem like whenever the Saints start getting a lot of positive attention or start being called “threats” or start getting picked for games, they start to suck? When they’re counted out and no one’s paying attention in the national media, they rise to the occasion. I love the statement they made on Monday night, but I almost wish no one else heard it or cared enough to repeat it. This team just doesn’t seem to be able to deal with the limelight or the pressure of living up to expectations. Let’s hope this week long love fest won’t throw them off their game come Sunday. (Perhaps the fact that the Bucs are undefeated at home and rank second in pass defense will be all our team needs to stay grounded…perhaps.)

2.) How do we incorporate Reggie Bush back into the offense without over-thinking everything and “out-cute-ing” ourselves?
For most coaches, strategizing means digging deep into the playbook to dig up all those gadget moves you only thought you could use in practice. For Sean Payton, strategizing means resisting the urge to try every single gadget move you only thought you could use in practice, no matter how inappropriate or unnecessary it may be under the current game time circumstance.

Obviously, Reggie’s return shouldn’t be thought of as a liability but it can be, depending on how Payton decides to use him. Will we use Reggie to keep the Bucs defense off balance or will we use him for every double reverse-flea flicker-half-back option combination type trick play we’ve been cooking up for weeks? Trust me, the Bucs will be on the lookout for all things “wild and wacky.” If we’re gonna win this one, it’s going to be because we managed to pull off the football basics better than the other team.

3.) How is that women in movies and on TV seem to have perfect makeup after a wild throwdown in the sack? I mean, even the lipliner survives a smearing.
Unrealistic and annoying.

4.) How do we get the pressure on Garcia like we did in Game 1?
Well, I’m no coach but I’d like to think that our highly paid Will Smith will start living up to his paycheck. Jeff Garcia is mobile but believe me when I say he can be taken down. (Some might say he (clears throat) prefers it that way.) Garcia’s been sacked 16 times this season. Hell, the Lions alone got a piece of him six times. The Lions…SIX TIMES!!! Surely we can manage some penetration on Sunday. (Hehe…Penetration..)

5.) Who’s teaching our players these weird celebration dances and how do we get them shot?
From Sedrick Ellis’ Pee Wee Herman Move to Jason David’s Shoulder-Shrugging Two-Step, I can bet Dancing with the Stars won’t be turning to the Saints roster for it’s next crop of contestants. Maybe the Chicks can help you guys choreograph a few moves. We’ll start with the robot and take it from there.

Chicks’ Prediction: Saints 27 Bucs 23