Season's First Loss

24-17.

That's the score by the Dallas Cowboys (QB: Tony Romo) in their win over the New Orleans Saints (QB: Brew Brees).

The Saints got their first loss of the season, 13-1, in their home field.

I saw an excerpt of the post-game interview with Drew Brees. He said that somehow, his team just didn't get into a rhythm early on, and credits the Cowboys for their defense. Although there was the anticipation of the Saints' late quarter heroics, it just wasn't their night. And as I watched the highlights on ESPN, they didn't look particularly sharp. Even Brees reacted in frustration more than a few times.

Brees was still poised during the interview but I sensed that he was a little more agitated and admittedly disappointed about the game's outcome.

I am not sure if tonight's game was just a blip in the Saints' season. Regardless, there are still games to play leading into the playoffs.

What's interesting to me as a spectator in any hard-fought game (either team, I think, carries real and perceived pressures for their own reasons) is the range of emotions that accompany a victory and a loss; how one team celebrates while the other copes.

For the Saints, it was a moment to pause and recover. Just as in life, the games go on ....

''We'll digest this. It'll sting a little bit going down,'' Saints coach Sean Payton said. ''Nonetheless, it is what it is and we've got to get back to work next week. We have two important games in front of us and we'll take that approach.''