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PETER KING'S THINGS I THINK

1 I think the Saints aren't totally finished at 0--4, because Drew Brees is just too explosive a player. But their schedule is too hard (eight of their final 12 games are against teams who are .500 or better), and Atlanta is too good, to think they can win the NFC South. They'd have to finish 9--3 for a wild-card prayer. Prepare for the return in 2013 of Sean Payton, Who Dats.

2 I think the Jets are in deep trouble, even at 2--2, and it's not going away just because Rex Ryan talks tough. They won't improve until they get consistency at QB, which they haven't had since 2010. I see third-stringer Greg McElroy starting before year's end.

3 I can think of at least two reasons why I got this text message from a coach on Monday: "Pray for Chuck." Colts coach Chuck Pagano, diagnosed with leukemia, is well-liked by his peers. And many coaches around the league also see Pagano in themselves: 27 years as a college and pro assistant; 11 stops along the trail; finally got his shot this year. Pagano will take several weeks off for treatment, but his prognosis is good.

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DERICK E. HINGLE/U.S. PRESSSWIRE (BREES)