While I'm still not 100% sure how the Saints lost last night's game to the Vikings, I do know one thing. Reggie Bush was by far the best player on the field. Bush singlehandedly took over this game in the second half with two jaw-dropping punt returns for touchdowns, and he would have had a third one as well if he hadn't stumbled while running it back.

Here's the first run back, which includes the early "punt return block of the year" by Jolon Dunbar.




And here's the second run, right up the gut of the defense.



Some people, including Bush himself, believe he hasn't lived up to the hype, which is true. But on Monday night, it was pretty clear why Bush was such a highly prized commodity coming out of college. In the blink of an eye, he can literally change the entire complexion of a game. 

Obviously, having Deuce McAllister back helps Bush a lot and allows him to be used in all three facets of the game, running, receiving, and special teams.

The fact is that Reggie will never be an every down back (which I've argued in the past has nothing to with Bush specifically, it's a problem with the NFL being too full of 'roided up lineman and linebackers) but there's nothing wrong with that. If Bush is used properly, like he was tonight, he's more dangerous than any other player on the field, by far.

The Angels had lost an unreal 11 straight playoff games to the Red Sox heading into Sunday night's Game 3 of the ALCS, but managed to scrape out a win courtesy of Mike Napoli. We'll see if that frees them up to suddenly go nuts against their play arch-nemesis.

Basically, this game is exactly the same as Game 1. Once again it's John Lackey against Jon Lester. In Game 1, Lester and the Red Sox won 4-1. Lackey pitched very well, but the Angels' bats were silent.

There are a few changes for the Red Sox tonight. Mike Lowell won't be playing tonight because of a hip condition. Not that it really matters, since Lowell is hitless in eight at-bats in the series. Kevin Youkilis will move across the diamond from first base to play third, and Mark Kotsay will play first base. J.D. Drew, who sat out Game 3 with a bad back, is back in the lineup in right field.

As of right now 58% of FanIQ is going with the Red Sox.

Feel free to chat it up here or on the game page.

I realize it's only Week 5, and I realize that the NFC North sucks something fierce, but I have to be honest, this really feels like a must win game for the Vikings. If they fall to 1-4 it's going to be a pretty huge hole they'll have to dig themselves out of, even though Kyle Orton is currently the starting quarterback of the team leading the division. 

Plus, expectations seem to be starting to weigh down the Vikings. They were supposed to be contending for a Super Bowl this year, not rubbing elbows with the Detroit Lions. Plus, they've lost to two pretty mediocre teams already - Green Bay and Indianapolis - which is not a good sign.

On the flip side, the Saints suddenly find themselves in an extremely competitive division, where everyone is .500 or better. So you know the Saints have a lot to play for tonight as well.

Luckily, regardless of who wins or loses, this should be a pretty entertaining game. Drew Brees will be lighting it up through the air while we'll get to see Reggie Bush and Adrian Peterson go head-to-head.

As of right now, 79% of FanIQ is going with the Saints, and I am too. The Saints are simply the better team, they're at home, and Bourbon Street beats anything Minnesota has to offer.

Feel free to chat it up here tonight or on the game page.

Today's blog goodness

1. Leryn Franco, the hot javenlin thrower from the Olympics, is back and better than ever.
2. ESPN seems to be in love with K-Rod for some reason.
3. It looks like EliteXC is dead at this point.
4. Matt Ryan is making people forget about Michael Vick.
5. You know there's a recession going on, right A-Rod?

Today's other FanIQ site goodness

1. There were two pretty ridiculous one-handed catches Sunday in the NFL.
2. Who's going to win the NLCS?
3. Since the Angels are still alive in the playoffs, how about a quiz on the history of the team?

Tonight's TV goodness

Nothing but the best on TV tonight. As you're probably well aware of, the Rays and White Sox are already playing, but later on, you'll have the ability to switch back and forth between Monday Night Football and the ALDS between the Red Sox and Angels. Just be careful, because if you flip back and forth too quickly, you might think Adrian Peterson is on the mound for the Red Sox.

Major League Baseball: American League Division Series, game 4, Tampa Bay at Chicago White Sox (TBS, 5 p.m.). L.A. Angels at Boston (TBS, 8:30).
NFL: Minnesota at New Orleans (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.)

The Chicago White Sox will try and keep doing what the Cubs couldn't do in the playoffs - win. Down 2 games to 1 to the impressive Tampa Bay Rays, the White Sox know they're in a tough spot. But the good news for them is that they've been incredibly tough to beat at home this year.

Chicago went 54-28 at home during the regular season, compared to 35-46 on the road. And, obviously, they hung on at home to win Game 3.

Tonight the White Sox will turn to another of its young arms in 25-year-old Gavin Floyd, who makes his postseason debut after going 17-8 with a 3.84 ERA in 33 starts this season. You may remember Floyd pitched the critical game against Detroit that the White Sox had to win to face the Twins in the one game AL Central playoff.

Tampa Bay is going with Andy Sonnanstine, who's also making his first postseason appearance after posting a 13-9 record with a 4.38 ERA in 32 starts during the season. Although Sonnanstine went 0-3 over his last seven starts of the regular season, he is 1-0 with a 2.96 ERA in four versus the White Sox. He allowed seven runs in 21 innings during three outings versus them this season.

Right now, 56% of FanIQ is going with the Rays, despite the White Sox's impressive home record.

Feel free to chat it up here or on the game page.