Overtime

That wake up call for the rest of the NFC came on a Monday night in Tampa.

Saints 38, Bucs 3.

The win, against a very good team, on the road, in the division, was perhaps the club’s best regular season win in 11 years.

On Nov. 30, 2009, the Saints defeated the New England Patriots 38-17.

It was the Saints 11th straight win to start the season.

However, the streak was not nearly as important as who the victory came against.

Then, and now, it came against Tom Brady.

That night in 2009, it was obvious the Saints were good enough to win the Super Bowl.

That season, they won the first 13, and capped the year with a 31-17 win over the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

The Saints crushing win over the Bucs marked the first time in Brady’s career that he was swept by a division opponent.

The numbers, besides the final score, told the story.

The Saints had 420 total yards. The Bucs, 194.

In first downs, Saints 27, Bucs 13.

In third down conversions, the Saints were nine of 14, the Bucs were one of nine.

In rushing yards, the Saints had 132, Tampa Bay had a total of eight.

Devastating.

“I don’t think our confidence is shaken, not one bit,” said Bucs head coach Bruce Arians.

“We got our #$%^&* kicked pretty good.”

Through the first half of the season, the Saints didn’t display dominance, but grit.

Four of the club’s first five victories were by a total of 15 points.

Running back Alvin Kamara was ranked as the fourth best running back in the NFL through eight games by Pro Football Focus.

But, many others, with far less notoriety, have been impressive.

Running back Latavius Murray was ranked 11th at his position in effectiveness.

Defensive tackle David Onyemata was also 11th.

Defensive end Trey Hendrickson was ranked 24th at his position.

And, defensive tackle Malcom Brown, was ranked 26th.

Through eight games, wide receiver Michael Thomas has eight receptions.

Last season, he grabbed an NFL record 149.

Yet, the Saints are 6-2.

“It was a good team win,” said Saints head coach Sean Payton.

What is was, was a statement win. But, those only go so far.

The Bucs had one of those. Oct. 18, Bucs 38, Packers 10.

Now, it is a just a footnote.

In a long NFL season.

Will the Saints’ 35-point win, be a footnote, or much more?