Redskins fans who watched victory slip through their team's fingers against the Saints on Sunday likely had one of three thoughts:
a) We're cursed. Someone put a hex on us. Why football gods? WHY!!!!
b) Less beer, more Vodka. STAT!
c) Goodbye cruel world!!!
If you haven't yet ended it all and you're seeking comfort and empathy this week, there's a group of people who know just how to help you work through your pain: fans of the New Orleans Saints.
Oh, I know what you're thinking. You want to spit on Saints fans. You want nothing to do with them. You loathe them! And truthfully, you have every right to. That victory was yours for the taking and somehow, someway, the Saints snatched it from your grips. Redskins fans, no one can identify with you more right now than a Saints fan.
Before 2009, your story was their story. The Saints became known for finding ways to lose games, break hearts, or completely collapse in the oddest, most improbable of ways. They were their own worst enemy. But something happened. Fate changed. The curse was lifted. That ancient Indian burial ground upon which the Superdome was allegedly built, well, this year the souls of those long forgotten have decided to call a truce. This year, the New Orleans Saints just have "it."
That "it" factor is intangible. "It" is what could be used to describe that Drew Brees interception that amazingly turned into a Saints touchdown thanks to the quick thinking of one young Robert Meachem. "It" can be used to describe that missed field goal in the fourth quarter that would have given the Redskins a 10 point lead and forced the Saints to score twice to win. "It" is the punt that hit a Redskins player, only to be recovered by Saints special teams player Usama Young. "It" is that fumble recovery that gave the Saints an opportunity to drive the ball down the field and set up the game winning field goal. "It" was summed up by Saints GM Mickey Loomis after Sunday's victory:
"Special things happen to special teams...I'm a big believer that luck is when preparation meets opportunity."
You're damn right "it" is.
Drew Brees had his "My Name is Earl" karmic wake up call after the Redskins victory, too.
"I definitely believe in destiny, and I believe in karma and what goes around, comes around...We have been on the other side of this deal probably too many times. Maybe it's our time that we start catching some of the breaks and start being the team that wins them like on the road...I feel like if you continue to do things the right way, then good things happen to you.''
The football gods appear to be done with taunting the Saints. They've had their fun for decades. Monotony gets boring after a while, ain't that right Tiger Woods? This season, things have taken a turn in New Orleans' favor. No more "River City Relays" followed by missed extra points. No more 30 point leads at halftime that end with an opponent's 30 point rally and 4th quarter comeback. No more missed 20 yard game winning field goals. No more fumbles on a double reverse that cost them the game. No more "stab in the eye", "kick to the crotch" type chains of events that just make fans and players want to die.
So Redskins fans, let me assure you there is light at the end of the tunnel. It's majestic and gleaming and radiant and intoxicating. It can be summed up in many ways and it takes many forms. But today, it's essence is best described as this: NFC South Champs, 12-0.
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.