That inconsistency, mind you, came on offense, where the team had at least eight dropped passes and several penalties in crucial situations.

Want to know what he said? Here's some insight -

Opening statement:
"Like I said yesterday, it was a tough loss being that we were in position to in the game in the fourth quarter. I thought we played well defensively, particularly on third down. We gave up a couple of big plays but got them off the field.

"We struggled in the kicking game. I thought we were inconsistent and sloppy on offense. Looking at tape, the opponent had something to do with that but be it a drop, a penalty or turnover, those are the things that cost us in the game.

On the lack of a run game:
"I got frustrated a little bit early with some of the minus plays we took early. We found a little bit of a rhythm in the third. We went in with the idea we'd feature mostly Pierre (Thomas). I think that condition-wise, Drew (Brees) felt comfortable from a footing standpoint. It wasn't that bad.

On the weather, or rather, the poor weather:
"he wind is more of a factor than the rain. The field held up pretty well. Drew felt comfortable with it.

"The thing that's more troublesome is not so much the weather as much as our inconsistency, be it protection or a penalty."

On Reggie Bush's dropped passes:
"As much as anything, it's getting back in and playing. Those are plays he'd normally make. One was a screen pass, the other was a check down. It's just keeping your eye on the ball."

On if the team can win four games in a row with the personnel it has:
"It's that optimism that the time is now. We've got two home games left. We're never going to stop playing hard or not trying. We've got good character in the locker room."

Right now, they say Warner has the lead. But Brees' finishing five week could ultimately determine the race.

Seifert lauds what he called a 'nearly perfect game' from Drew Brees.

Though he does acknowledge the offense looked awesome Monday night.

The win helps keep the Saints' postseason hopes alive. Drew Brees was 20-of-26 for 323 yards and four touchdowns, 115 of those yards and two of the scores going to Lance Moore.

Pierre Thomas added two touchdowns and 87 yards and Deuce McAllister had a score and five yards rushing.

His touchdown made him the Saints' career-touchdown leader with 54. He passed Dalton Hilliard.

For more, click on the game story

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(8:47 4th Quarter)
Pierre Thomas just ripped off a 31-yard TD run to push the Saints over the half-century mark.

New Orleans' 51 points ties a club record from 1969 and 1976 when it tied the Rams and Seahawks, respectively.

For a little insight into how ridiculous it was to go for two points after Thomas' score, the extra point would have given the Saints a franchise record for points.

Saints 51, Packers 29
Scoring drive: 5 plays, 42 yards

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(11:45 4th Quarter)
I know what you're thinking. Why in the world would I say something as stupid as the Saints score 24 unanswered points.

Because it was a fact.

And now the Packers have answered. Aaron Rodgers hit Ruvell Martin for a 4-yard pass, and then they got a 2-point conversion with the same combination.

So, it's still not close.

If this helps, the Packers have scored 8 unanswered points.

Saints 45, Packers 29 (11:45 4th Quarter)
Scoring drive: 15 plays, 86 yards

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(14:15 4th Quarter)
New Orleans has 24 unanswered points and is on its way to a shocking Monday Night Football outcome.

Few people would have guessed the Saints could put this kind of hurt on Green Bay.

And now New Orleans - likely - will take a two-game win streak into Tampa Bay next week in a key NFC South showdown. The Saints needed a win tonight and they'll need a win next week.

Crazier things have happened, and I wouldn't put this one quite in the Saints' pocket yet. But this could be a season-defining win.

We shall see.

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(2:26 3rd Quarter)
Drew Brees hit Marques Colston for a 70-yard touchdown to put New Orleans up 45-21 with a full quarter to play.

And we were wondering what happened to Colston, who has disappeared for much of this season.

Saints 45, Packers 21 (2:26 3rd Quarter)
Scoring drive: 3 plays, 73 yards
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(5:35 3rd Quarter)
And just like that, Sean Payton gets greedy. Instead of wearing down the clock and taking the will away from Green Bay, he goes for a double pass.

The result?

An interception. Good call, guys.

Drew Brees threw left to Lance Moore, who was decked as he passed the ball. The Packers' Aaron Rouse intercepted an overthrown ball and returned it to the 43.

That's a net-17 yard gain for Green Bay.

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(6:16 3rd Quarter)
Jason David picked up his second interception of the night, and then broke into Michael Jackson dancing.

That makes it Jason David 3, Packers 1

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(7:32 3rd Quarter)
Who would have thought this sentence would ever be uttered -

Deuce McAllister should take Jason David out for dinner tomorrow night. David's interception allowed McAllister to score a 3-yard touchdown, making him the Saints' all-time leader in touchdowns with 54 in his career.

The Superdome exploded and McAllister congratulated on the sideline by just about everyone on the sideline. By the time he got to the sideline, he was crying, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Jason David 2, Green Bay Packers 1

Saints 38, Packers 21 (7:32)
Scoring drive: 2 plays, 3 yards

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(8:34 3rd Quarter)
New Orleans converted a fourth down in its own territory and moved on to win a touchdown. Makes you think Sean Payton doesn't believe in his defense, you know.

Drew Brees tossed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Billy Miller to cap a 13-play drive.

Saints lead 31-21 (8:34)
Scoring drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 6:36 ToP

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(Halftime)
Drew Brees is having a spectacular night. He's 13-of-16 for nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns. Lance Moore, too, is having a great one. He has 4 catches for 101 yards - a 25.3 yard per catch average.

But check this out - the Saints have only seven running plays while Green Bay has 22 rushing plays.

Oh, and Marques Colston doesn't have a catch. Chew on that for a second.

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(:02 2nd Quarter)
Poor clock management. That's what happened to the Saints. That, and a false start penalty on Jammal Brown at the Pack 7. Go figure. And then the Saints inexplicably called a timeout instead of saving it.

So, instead of a touchdown, New Orleans used a Garrett Hartley 30-yard field goal to take the halftime lead.

Saints 24, Packers 21 (:02 2nd Quarter)
Scoring drive: 6 plays, 20 yards, 1:42 off the clock

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(1:44 2nd Quarter)
Defense wins championships. Or so I keep hearing. There might be something to that because New Orleans is no closer to a championship right now than Detroit. The common denominator - no defense.

Green Bay converted four third downs on the series, highlighted by Aaron Rodgers' 10-yard touchdown run.

Saints 21, Packers 21 (1:44 2nd Quarter)
Scoring drive: 14 plays, 83 yards, 6:35 off the clock

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(8:19 2nd Quarter)
Well, Lance Moore certainly is making himself - and his agent - some money tonight.

First a 70-yard touchdown scamper. Now a 14-yard scoring grab, using the extra effort at the goal line to get in.

New Orleans had one third down on the series and Sean Payton called a reverse toss left to Deuce McAllister and the big guy fell forward. Diuretics my behind.

Saints 21, Packers 14 (8:19)
Scoring drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 5:34 off the clock

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(13:43 2nd Quarter)
Well, Jason David couldn't win them all I suppose.

Aaron Rodgers threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings with David in coverage.

David 1, Packers 1.

New Orleans' defense couldn't get off the field - a theme to this season. Green Bay converted three third downs on the drive.

Saints 14, Packers 14 (13:43 2nd Quarter)
Scoring drive: 12 plays, 72 yards, 6:01 off the clock
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(4:44 1st Quarter)
New Orleans' second scoring drive was all about Pierre Thomas. He had all but 12 of the 41 yards on the drive and scored on a 4-yard run.

The Saints now lead for the first time tonight.

New Orleans 14, Green Bay 7
Scoring drive: 5 plays, 41 yards
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(8:17 1st Quarter)
Give the fans what they want. Monday Night Football is alive and well in the Superdome, where New Orleans answered Green Bay's drive with a one-play beauty.

Drew Brees hit Lance Moore on a middle slant and the receiver went the distance, 70 yards for a touchdown. At about the 10, Moore looked up at the jumbotron and saw just where his defenders were.

It worked. He scored as he was tackled in the end zone.

Note: It's the ninth time a Saints receiver has scored a touchdown in four consecutive games. It has never been done five times.

Saints 7, Packers 7 (8:17 1st Quarter)
Scoring drive: 1 play, 70 yards, :13 seconds off the clock

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(8;39 1st Quarter)
A big punt return put Green Bay in good position. In fact, great position. The Saints' 37 to be exact.

And the Packers capitalized to take an early 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

It all happened because the Saints offense looked anemic on the opening series, moving one yard backward.

New Orleans' defense put GB in a third down and the Packers answered when Ryan Grant broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage.

Four plays later, the Packers were in the end zone when fullback John Kuhn dove over the pile at the goal line.

Packers 7, Saints 0 (8:30 1st Quarter)
Scoring Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 3:13 off the clock

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(13:40 1st Quarter)
So, we're fewer than two minutes into the game and Green Bay called a timeout.

Really? That's sort of soon for a professional franchise.

Also, Jason David made a good stop on the first play of the game.

Jason David 1, Green Bay Packers 0

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We've got the lists of gameday roster changes and whatnot.

For your viewing pleasure.

Saints
Inactives: QB Joey Harrington (3rd QB); RB Reggie Bush; CB Aaron Glenn; CB David Pittman; FB Mike Karney; LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar; T Jermon Bushrod; WR David Patten

starting lineup change: RB Deuce McAllister replaces Bush; FB Darian Barnes replaces Karney

Packers
Inactives: QB Brian Brohm (3rd QB); S Charlie Peprah; RB DeShawn Wynn; LB Nick Barnett; T Breno Giacomni; G Allen Berbre; WR James Jones; DE Jeremy Thompson

starting lineup change: DE MIchael Montgomery replaces Thompson

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We've arrived at the Superdome, ladies and gentlemen, and let me tell you the excitement is palpable.

OK. That's just me. Few people have made it inside the Dome thus far.

But the Saints are in the house, and FB Mike Karney, who will not play tonight while trying to mend a hurt knee, is playing like Drew Brees in the end zone and throwing passes and playing.

Meanwhile, Marques Colston just finished catching passes on the sideline.

And tens of hangers-on stand and mingle on the sideline.

So, while I go grab a quick bite to eat, leave some questions. I'll try to answer.

The game amounts to a playoff for the playoffs. The loser, in all likelihood, is out. The winner, at least for another week, remains in the race.

So, what are those great cheese-loving and cheese-producing fans from the upper Midwest saying about the game?

Well, the Green Bay Press-Gazette says there are three things fans need to watch out for: Reggie Bush and his health, New Orleans' secondary, and Green Bay's offensive line and how it handles the noise of the Superdome.

The Press-Gazette, by the way, has a wealth of information, including an, um, interesting animated preview of the game.

Then there's the Wisconsin State Journal. It has more information than you can shake a stick at. There's a story about Ryan Grant, the Packers' game-breaking running back who is finally healthy and playing like the stud that he was during last year's playoff run for Green Bay.

Or how about this column from Tom Oates, who says tonight's game isn't a must-win for Green Bay. His reasoning - the NFC North is week and flawed. Other than 0-11 Detroit, the division could be in a three-way tie at 6-5 if the Packers win tonight. Even a loss by the Pack likely wouldn't eliminate them from winning the division.

Over at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Michael Hunt opines about how much the Saints mean to New Orleans. His gauge? Pierre Maspero's and Cafe du Monde. Good stuff.

Bu the MJS is chock-full of information about tonight's game. Check it out.

"Just some swelling in his left knee," head coach Sean Payton said. "It was maintenance and just monitoring where he's at. They drained it yesterday and we wanted to rest him today and see if it could calm down some."

• RB Reggie Bush was limited in Thursday's practice, though it appears he's set to go Monday against Green Bay. The third-year pro said he hopes to be out on the field on punt returns, as well.

"First full practice today," Bush said. "It felt pretty good. Just getting back into the motions, the swing of things. It felt good to finish a full practice."

• QB Drew Brees, commenting on the possible suspensions of Deuce McAllister, Charles Grant and Will Smith, said it's a little worrisome that guys trying to do the right thing are caught doing something they didn't mean to do.

"Do you really know 100 percent?" he said. "Was I there and watched the person put together that daily vitamin? No. I'm notrusting what's in the bottle and everything else."

• KR Courtney Roby has caught the eye of the most important man involved with making decisions in regards to the Saints - Sean Payton. The returner who was signed midway through the year has broken several long kick returns this season.

"He has good speed and you can see it when he hits the hole," Payton said. "Certainly, field position becomes very critical when you play a real good team and the ability to create a short field for the offense is awfully important."

Stecker became the 13th member of the Saints' injured reserve list Tuesday.

Stecker had been battling his injury since the first week of the season. He aggravated it on a 12-yard catch early in the first quarter Sunday at Kansas City and left the game.

-- Injury updates:
Aaron Stecker injured his hamstring. No timetable on his return.
Mark Campbell injured his MCL. The team will know more today after his MRI.

-- Goal line stands:
Payton said that the goal-line stands provided momentum, and that the ability to hold them to field goals ended up being important.

"I was pleased with our execution. Those were two important sequences to hold them to six points instead of 14."

-- On def end Jeff Charleston
He said that he was happy to see Jeff Charleston, DE, come up with those plays.

-- He said that Lance Moore had to earn each inch and "there's a little bit in all of us who like to see those guys do well."

-- Payton said he doesn't know anything new about the suspensions. "You've just got be mindful of your depth. We have to plan on having them otherwise unless we hear differently," Payton said.

-- On an unfair disadvantage with the London game:
"In the end you're going to play eight home games and eight away games. The only thing of note is that we played one game in London."

-- He said Pierre Thomas graded out well and that he gave the team good yards after contact.

"We were encouraged as a staff. The screen play he was able to give us was big," Payton said.

-- He said he was encouraged and optimistic about Reggie Bush's return this week, but reminded himself that they were confident at this point last week. He said he's being guarded in his approach.

"It's a lot like last week. Our next practice is Thursday, so hopefully this extra day will help."

-- On the defense:
"We talked about playing a complete game. It came down to some important defensive stops. We were able to come up with a key stop, including the two goal line stands. Randall Gay did a good job of contesting throws. Roman Harper had one of his better games when you look at how he graded out. He did a good job of supporting the run."

-- Payton said there is a sense of urgency with the team's 5-5 record and that there is little wiggle room.

"With six weeks left, it's a lot of football. But for teams on the bubble, it all gets more important. After this game next week, there's going to be that same sense of urgency," Payton said. "It's hard to begin looking at tiebreaking scenarios. It's about wins.

-- He was encouraged by Colston's performance last week. "There's a play or two that I'm sure he'd want back," Payton said.