Whenever you look up at the scoreboard at the end of the first quarter and find your favorite team down three scores, a few questions race with your head. 

How did this happen?  Could this get any worse?  Should I continue to punish myself and watch the rest of this pitiful performance?

As a sports fan, these are the questions that you hope you never have to ask when your team plays.  These are the questions that come with the phrase "worst case scenario". These are the questions I asked myself twice this weekend.

I stuck around until late in the fourth quarter at Neyland Stadium on Saturday afternoon.  By the time I left, the energy of the Big Orange Nation was gone, the smuggled bottles of whiskey were empty, and the Gators had taken complete control.

Losing to Florida was bad, but the hope of Sunday and another Saints game left me something to look forward to. Saturday losses make Sundays even more important. It's another chance for your team to get a win and propel you through another week of labs and papers.  

The New Orleans Saints went into Denver with a record of 1-1 and arguably the most depleted roster in the NFL. Despite being without key players, a Saints team with a healthy Drew Brees and Reggie Bush always has the chance to make big plays and put up big numbers. All Saints fans know that when these two are clicking, the Black and Gold can beat any team in the league.

However, the first quarter proved to be a nightmare for the Saints. Jay Cutler's Broncos seemed to be unstoppable on offense and a Bush fumble that was returned for a touchdown put New Orleans in a 21-3 hole.

Those questions started to pop up again.  Could this weekend get any worse?  

Then, the Saints came alive.

Drew Brees, who finished with 421 passing yards, started picking the Broncos zone coverage apart. Bush on a hook, Bush on a screen, Bush on a cross. They couldn't stop him. Jeremy Shockey found room downfield. Lance Moore stepped up with some great catches across the middle. Robert Meachem streaked downfield for a 74-yard bomb.

As well as the offense played, the 18-point deficit proved to be hard to overcome. Coming back from 18-points down is even harder when the play calling becomes conservative and predictable in the red zone.

After Meahem's 74-yard grab put the Saints on the Broncos 6-yard line and a David Patten slant was ruled down at the 1, the Saints couldn't finish the drive.  

Sean Payton decided to go with Pierre Thomas instead of Bush or a healthy Deuce McAllister (more on McAllister in a moment). Lining up in power-I formations the Saints couldn't punch it in and turned the ball over on downs.  

It's puzzling to watch the Saints try to turn into a physical, good 'ol fashioned hit-you-in-the-mouth football team on the goal line. The Saints are at their best when they spread defenses out and keep them guessing. Their best option on the short down-and-distances is to use Bush's speed.  

Instead of giving the play away based on the formation, the Saints have the ability to line up with three receivers, thinning out those linebackers before running the ball down the middle. Also, Bush can be used as a decoy. Motioning Bush out the backfield demands a defensive adjustment, thus creating room for fullback Mike Karney to plunge in for the touchdown.

Also, Thomas is a young, talented back, but at 5'11'', 215 lbs is he really the best option on fourth-and-short?  

Why is Deuce McAllister, with his helmet and game face on, standing on the sideline?  Is the Saints all-time leading rusher incapable of gaining one more yard? I know McAllister is coming off of another torn ACL injury, but it is obvious by the look on his face that he would jump at the opportunity to help the team. How much longer does he have to sit, stare, and wait for another chance?

With all that said, the Saints did manage to regain the momentum when Charles Grant and Sedrick Ellis teamed up to tackle Broncos back Andre Hall for a safety.  

The Saints even had a chance to tack on three more points, but Martin Gramatica pushed a 51-yard field goal attempt to the left.

So, the Saints come away with two points instead of seven. That's inexcusable when you are trying to pull off a comeback on the road.

Fast forward to the fourth quarter. The defense has held the Broncos to a field goal and given the Saints a chance to take their first lead in the game. Brees' offense continues to be too much for the Broncos to handle, and the Saints march into field goal range down by two with two minutes to play.

A Bush run puts the Saints at second-and-three on the Denver 26. The Broncos defense has yet to stop the Saints' short passing attack, and second-and-short is a great situation to put the ball in the air.  Instead, Bush gets another carry and picks up only a couple of yards.
 
Third-and-one. Bush comes out of the game, and Thomas takes his place behind a power-I formation.  Here we go again. Thomas is stopped short, Gramatica misses a 43-yard field goal, and the Saints lose.

As terrible as the Saints played early on, overall they outplayed the Broncos and had chances to win.  However, the play calling in key situations suggests that the team has yet to find their identity.

Searching for an identity is not a luxury granted in the ultra-competitive National Football League. It usually results in losing close games and dropping out of playoff races.

On a positive note, the team appears to have a tremendous amount of character. A lesser team would have packed it in when faced with an 18-point deficit in a hostile environment.

That leaves the Saints right on the edge. Are they really ready to be a contender?

That's another question you hate to ask yourself.

Bonus NFL Coverage:

The Dallas Cowboys continue to look impressive in their 27-16 win at Green Bay on Sunday night.  Romo and the 'Boys are not only the NFC favorite, but also a popular bet as Super Bowl champions, especially after Tom Brady's season ending injury.

Speaking of the Patriots, New England lost to the Miami Dolphins 38-13.  Tailback Ronnie Brown had four touchdowns on the ground and added a fifth with a touchdown pass.  If the Pats defense can't stop the Dolphins, then Matt Cassel doesn't have a chance.

Along with the Cowboys and Broncos, the New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, and Tennessee Titans all improved to 3-0. John Carney's overtime field goal put the Giants past the Cincinnati Bengals and Rian Lindell's last second field goal capped off a 17-point fourth quarter as the Bills beat the Oakland Raiders 24-23. The Titans had no trouble with the Houston Texans winning 31-12.