New Orleans Saints fans know all too well that rooting for their beloved team is not for the faint of heart.
Sunday’s 31-26 win over the Carolina Panthers in an NFC wildcard playoff game proved that point.
Just when you think the Saints had the game under control, the Panthers made a valiant effort to climb back and had a chance to win in the final seconds. Thankfully, the Saints defense came up with big plays in the end to seal the win.
Now, the Saints advance to an NFC divisional round playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings. Kickoff is set for 3:40 p.m. Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Considering the Vikings are the NFC’s No. 2 seed and have a stout defense, the Saints are heading into the game as a 3.5-point underdog.
Minnesota also knows how to beat the Saints by virtue of its 29-19 win in the 2017 season opener.
So with that in mind, it’s not going to be easy for the Saints to advance to the NFC championship game. They will likely need to bring their “A” game and have a little luck along the way.
Maybe the Saints will need a little extra help to get past the Vikings. Some fans may want to try voodoo, while others will head to church and burn a few candles.
I have something else in mind that can help the Saints … the St. Germain curse.
What’s the St. Germain curse?
In a nutshell, you don’t want me to purchase something of your team playing in a championship game.
I did it before the Philadelphia Phillies played in the 1993 World Series. They lost.
I did it when the San Diego Chargers played in Super Bowl XXIX. They lost.
I did it when the Pittsburgh Steelers played in Super Bowl XXX. They lost.
Still not convinced?
Think back to Super Bowl XXXVI, and remember how no one gave the New England Patriots a chance against the high-powered St. Louis Rams. It was supposed to be an easy win for the Rams.
But that did not happen because I bought a $2 Rams pencil and watched the St. Germain curse strike again as the Patriots won 20-17.
Unfortunately, I may have inadvertently started the Patriots’ dynasty.
So when the Saints reached Super Bowl XLIV, I decided to take matters in my own hands and purchased a $5 Indianapolis Colts plastic helmet. It was small and cheap, but more importantly, it did the trick as the Saints won 31-17.
As you can tell, the St. Germain curse is real and appears to be worse than the Sports Illustrated cover jinx.
That’s why I am refraining from purchasing any Saints memorabilia until their playoff run is over. I will not be blamed if the Saints don’t win the Super Bowl.
But that will not stop me from buying something of the three remaining NFC teams in the playoffs.
I am once again taking matters into my own hands, so that’s why I went on Amazon and purchased decals of the Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and, gulp, Atlanta Falcons. The three decals should arrive in time for Sunday’s playoff game, so the St. Germain curse should be in full effect.
Basically, I am trying to do my part to help the Saints get back to the Super Bowl for the first time in eight seasons.
If everything works out and the Saints reach Super Bowl LII, I would be back on Amazon looking for a small trinket of the AFC champion. We all need to do our part to help the Saints win another Super Bowl, so that’s why I am unleashing the St. Germain curse.
Brent St. Germain is the sports editor of The Courier and the Daily Comet. He can be reached at 857-2239 or 448-7600 ext. 2239 or by e-mail at brent.st.germain@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @Brentstg.