NEW ORLEANS — Have y'all noticed how much fun Michael Thomas seems to be having?
After the Saints beat the Patriots 34-0 on Sunday, Michael Thomas was practically glowing during his post-game interview. Granted, the reason why is obvious because he's finally healthy after three straight years of serious injuries.
Thomas looked so great dressed in all black with the shades and it was nice to get reminded he can sometimes look and sound like a young version of Q-tip from A Tribe Called Quest.
Did you notice how excited Mike was after Foster Moreau scored a touchdown? Granted, Thomas could have just been excited for Moreau, who has overcome cancer to be able to play in 2023, but he looked to me like a guy just enjoying every bit of being able to play football and just so happy the Saints were winning.
Thomas is on pace for 88 catches and 966 yards. On the surface that's not spectacular, but those 4 catches for 65 yards Sunday sure felt like big-time-gotta-have-it-drive-sustaining-classic Michael Thomas catches.
We are starting to see Derek Carr developing that 2018-2019 Drew Brees habit of, "Where's Mike? I need a big first down, I'm throwing it to Mike, I don't care."
Mike's starting to deliver those tough, physical, I-don't-look-open-but-I'm-open-type grabs again.
Before injuries hit him, Michael Thomas was on the fast track to being the greatest receiver in Saints history. He still might get there. Heck, if you want,, you could make a case he already is the greatest receiver in Saints history, and I wouldn't dismiss your opinion out of hand.
Michael Thomas has always been one of my favorite Saints. His 2019 season, where he set the NFL catch record, is a Pantheon all-time Saints season. He was an unstoppable force no matter who the Saints quarterback was.
Mike's 2019 game in Chicago where we caught 11 passes for 131 yards when the Saints didn't have Drew Brees or Alvin Kamara and the Bears STILL couldn't even slow him down, always makes me smile.
Thomas just put on a tour de force of "You can't stop me. No one can stop me."
It's so good to have Michael Thomas back in our lives playing on Sunday and my guess is he's only going to get better the rest of the year.
Saints Fan Mood Music: 'Casanova' – Rebirth Brass Band
I'll let emailer Martin explain this pick, “I read your column all the time and your music selections are mostly terrible. Why isn't it NOLA music every week?”
Maybe it should be?
So many of the happiest memories of my life are set to "Casanova" blaring in the Dome after a Saints win. So here you go John, Saints just won 34-0 – CRANK THE "CASANOVA."
The Games
Last Week: 2-3
Season: 15-10
New Orleans (-1.5) at Houston: No team in the NFL calls running plays on first and second down, followed by a third down pass, more than the Texans. They are also terrible at running the ball, averaging only 3 yards a run and 82 yards a game. That kind of plan will get smashed to pieces by a Dennis Allen-coached defense. Maybe the Texans mix it up on Sunday and do something different, but they love to run on first down, while also being awful doing it.
Houston rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has been very good and looks like the best QB in the 2023 draft. He set an NFL record for most passes to start a career without an interception, despite being sacked 11 times and not having a run game. He's the next great one and we should be thankful the Carolina Panthers didn't pick him.
This matchup is a very good one for the Saints. They'll cover the Texans receivers and maul a beat-up struggling Houston offensive line. If Desmond Ridder can throw for 300 yards against the Texans, so can Derek Carr.
Even though I live in Houston, I'm not going to this game because NRG Stadium is dull, has nothing fun around it to enjoy pregame, and I'm old and like my 70-inch TV. If I wanna see the Saints in person, I'll go to the Superdome. It's more fun.
Saints 31-0
Atlanta (-1.5) vs Washington: The Falcons have a young quarterback getting better and a defense that's exceeded even their most optimistic hopes. So annoying.
Falcons 23-16
Kansas City (-10.5) vs Denver: I won't lie and say I feel bad for Sean Payton. I want that Denver 2024 second round pick the Saints own to be as high as possible. And kids, high it will be.
Chiefs 35-17
Tampa Bay (+3.5) vs Detroit: Let's just all calm down a little bit on the Lions.
Bucs 23-20
San Francisco (-7) at Cleveland: I don't care if Deshaun Watson starts or not, the 49ers are the best team in the sport and aren't losing any time soon.
Ralph Malbrough is a contributing writer and Saints fan living in Houston. Email him at saintshappyhour@gmail.com, find him on Facebook, or follow him on Twitter at @SaintsForecast or download the Saints Happy Hour Podcast.
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