What three-game losing streak? The Saints shook off any rust much the way we shook off all the locker-stuffings we suffered before study hall in 10th grade. But look at us now, Ma. Top of the world! OK ... it's a tiny little world.

 

1. If this was Kurt Warner's final game, it was a fitting one. Was it a perfect ending for Warner? Obviously not. But Warner's entire career has been spent with teams that barely ran the ball or played defense, leaving poor No. 13 all by his lonesome. Warner's return to the game after getting absolutely drilled Saints defender Bobby McCray after a second-quarter interception was his career in a nutshell. Tough as nails, able to take whatever a defense gives out and willing to pass every down if he needs to. He finished with a rare poor passer rating of 73.4, but still has one of the best postseason ratings in history. The sight of Warner at 38 with a red-marked forehead, pained and weary look, should be enough to make him hang it up. Next stop: Hall of Fame.

 

2. Arizona's defense is right up there with Grenada's. When you allow 35 points in back-to-back halves, maybe you've got some issues. Arizona's defense did have the unenviable task of playing great passing games in perfect conditions, but wow. Starting with the second half against Green Bay, here's what teams did in their 13 drives against the Cardinals: TD, TD, TD, TD, TD, end of game (one play), fumble by Packers, TD, TD, TD, TD, TD, end of half. If any team has ever given a worse display of playoff defense, we'd love to hear about it.

 

3. Sean Payton should have been Coach of the Year. With all due respect to Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati's charge to the playoffs was led by defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. But Payton is a charismatic and do-everything leader for the Saints, who weren't exactly expected to start the season 13-0. The way the Saints responded Saturday after not winning a game for a calendar month was proof of Payton's leadership. They had a great game plan, executed it flawlessly, and are all of a sudden favorites to win it all again. It was as if the late-season issues never happened.

 

4. It's time to learn the name Aaron Cromer. The Saints' offensive line coach led the Jammal Brown-less OL to the No. 1 spot on the Offensive Hog Index during the season, and the Saint blockers absolutely manhandled Arizona Saturday. The Saints topped their averages in all three of the Hog Index's factors. Negative Pass Plays: 0. Yards per carry: 5.11. Third-down conversions: 54.5 percent. Those are all dream numbers in any game, let alone a playoff game.

 

5. Reggie Bush is 3-for-3 in the playoffs. Reggie Bush's career numbers suggest that he's a bust, but the team's consistent offensive success since his arrival is tough to ignore. One thing's for sure – he's been at his best in the postseason. In three career games, Bush has four touchdowns and has averaged 111 yards from scrimmage.

 

6. This is new territory for Darren Sharper. Despite playing for winning teams the majority of his career, making 181 career starts and picking off 63 passes, this will be Sharper's first trip to a conference championship. A Super Bowl win and a couple more seasons as a starter will go a long way toward a Hall of Fame spot for the veteran safety.

 

7. Neil Rackers' leg ain't what she used to be. In 2004 and 2005, Arizona's kicker had two of the best long-distance seasons in recent memory, going a combined 11 for 16 from 50+ yards and getting a reputation as the league's best bomber. Since, he's gone 5 for 18 and didn't even try one from 50+ in the regular season. Saturday, he tried one from 51 – hit it great, right down the middle ... and a couple of yards short.

 

8. The Saints' slump didn't have anything to do with Drew Brees. The Saints' QB got left out of the MVP mix because of New Orleans' losing streak at the end of the year, but in his last five games (including Saturday) here are his stats: 150 of 204, 1,518 yards, 10 TD, 2 INT. Yep. That's 74 percent completion and an interception every 102. Maybe he should change his name to Drew Manning.

 

9. The Cardinals officially gave up with a half quarter left. When the Cardinals punted on 4th-and-4 from their own end down 45-14, it was a white flag that should never come in a playoff game. Was Arizona going to score four touchdowns and three conversions in the last 7:30? Of course not. But don't they have to at least try? It's not as if they have next week to worry about. Why not at least let Matt Leinart give it a shot on fourth down and give him something to be proud of in what'll be a long offseason?

 

10. The Saints' front seven stepped up. After the game-opening 70-yard TD run by Tim Hightower leading off the game, Arizona only ran for 31 yards on 14 carries the rest of the way. And while the Saints only got to Warner/Leinart once, they forced many bad throws and DE Will Smith had a pivotal interception in the first half.