Jackson Free Press

The New Orleans Saints won a game that might turn their fortunes around this season after using their rushing attack and a late defensive stand to defeat the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 30.

There will be more talk about Seattle’s failure to close out the Saints than New Orleans’ win. Many fans and sports analysts expected the Seahawks to be one of the best teams in the league and in the race to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Most people expected New Orleans to be an offensive juggernaut again but to come up short on defense. While that script has played out at times this year, the Saints’ defense has shown growth as the season has gone along.

The Saints’ defense sparked a comeback over the San Diego Chargers to get their first win of the season and racked up stops against the Carolina Panthers in the team's second win.

On defense, New Orleans has done enough to win games since beating the Chargers, even if it didn’t always go so well on the other side of the ball. For instance, on Oct. 23, the Kansas City Chiefs used two Saints turnovers to get past New Orleans with a pick-six early and a forced fumble late. Those turnovers cost the Saints a chance at a win.

Against Seattle, the Saints ran the ball 35 times for 123 yards, and New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees attempted 35 passes. It was a balanced attack for the Saints. New Orleans also saw running back Mark Ingram return a fumble for a touchdown but still end up in the doghouse since he fumbled for a second week in a row. The Saints trailed most of the game but only gave up 13 points on defense.

The Saints are now 20th in total defense instead of sitting at the complete bottom of the standings. They’re turning things around despite several key players still being out due to injuries.

This week, New Orleans travels to face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Nov. 6. As the once-division rivals clash, this could be the game where the Saints reach .500, but can they keep pushing upward?

The Saints follow up the 49ers with a home game against the 6-2 Denver Broncos on Nov. 13. This will be a tough game to win but not impossible if the Superdome is truly returning to the home-field advantage that opposing teams once feared.

New Orleans finishes the season with seven winnable games: the 2-5 Carolina Panthers, the 3-4 LA Rams, the 4-4 Detroit Lions, the 3-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 3-4 Arizona Cardinals, Tampa again and the 5-3 Atlanta Falcons to end the season. That is just two teams at or above .500 at this moment for the rest of the season. There is nothing left on the schedule that should be impossible for this team to win.

There is no question whether …

When the first College Football Playoff rankings are released on Nov. 1, the University of Alabama is going to be the top team. The Crimson Tide have rarely been challenged this season, as they have steamrolled most of their foes.

Alabama is just one of 12 teams that is still alive for the playoffs. These 12 teams from the major conferences are either undefeated or have just one loss as the season moves into the final month.

Joining Alabama as the only undefeated teams are the University of Clemson, Baylor University, West Virginia University, University of Michigan, University of Nebraska and the University of Washington.

Boise State University and Western Michigan University are also undefeated but face a nearly impossible hill to climb to get into the playoff. Both are in contention for a New Year’s Six bowl, along with one-loss teams the United States Naval Academy, San Diego State University and Troy University.

A second tier of teams are the one-loss teams from the major conferences, including the University of Louisville, Ohio State University, University of Utah, Texas A&M University and the University of Florida.

There isn’t a team left alive in the playoff field that doesn’t have some obstacles in its way. Beginning with the SEC, here are the chances of the ones still left.

Alabama must get past Louisiana State University, Auburn University and the winner of the SEC East gets the Tide in the SEC Championship Game. While there are some roadblocks, Alabama has a good chance of finishing undefeated.

Texas A&M finishes the season with tough games against the University of Mississippi, LSU and Alabama. If the Aggies can run the rest of the table, and other conferences have mayhem, they have a chance to get in the playoff anyway.

Florida would be the biggest longshot out of the three SEC teams. The Gators have the University of Georgia, LSU, Florida State University and whoever wins the SEC West. This team will more than likely slip again along the way.

Washington is the last unbeaten team in the Pac-12 and still has plenty of hurdles. The Huskies face Utah this weekend, and then the University of Southern California, Washington State University and the conference title game. This team will be playoff worthy if it can get past this slate.

Utah is the only other Pac-12 team still alive. If the Utes fall to Washington, their playoff hopes are gone. Beyond Washington, Utah just has the University of Colorado and the conference championship game. This is an all or nothing weekend for this team.

The Big Ten is simple for Michigan: get past Ohio State in the season finale and the championship game. It is an easy schedule for the Wolverines until they meet the OSU in a major showdown.

Nebraska is also undefeated in the Big Ten but wouldn’t face Michigan until the conference title game. Just to set up a potential matchup …

In his final season with Jackson State University, defensive end/linebacker Javancy Jones is happy to still have a chance playing in the SWAC Championship Game. The Tigers are tied with Alcorn State University, with their homecoming game against Prairie View A&M University taking place this Saturday, Oct. 29.

Jones suffered a hyper-extended knee early in JSU’s game against Grambling State University on Sept. 17. He missed most of that game and the Tigers’ matchup against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the following week.

Even after missing nearly two full games due to injury, Jones has proven once again that he is one of the best defenders in the SWAC. He is 10th place in tackles with 41 total and 23 solo, ninth place in sacks with three, third place in tackles for a loss with 13 total, and tied for fourth place in forced fumbles with two.

This hasn’t been the perfect senior season for Jones. Beyond needing to overcome an injury, he is also trying to be there for his family while his mother deals with an illness.

Jones missed practice time right before JSU opened the season against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “I was ready physically because of the work I put in the offseason, but mentally, it has been work with my mother being sick,” Jones told the Jackson Free Press.

At the same time, he says has enjoyed seeing the improvements that the Tigers have made as the season has gone on. “JSU is in great hand with this new coaching staff,” Jones says. “The future looks bright, and I’m glad I get to be a part of the beginning.”

With this week’s game at the center of homecoming week, Jones says he talked to his teammates about staying focused on their matchup against Prairie View.

“I’ve told the guys to remember that we are the main attraction this weekend,” he says. “We needed to remember it is OK to have fun, but get home early and get rest for Saturday.”

Despite being a senior, this will actually be Jones’ third homecoming game, as Grambling State didn’t show up for his freshman homecoming game due to a team protest over athletic department conditions.

“I didn’t get a homecoming game my freshman year, so I don’t know what the younger guys are going through exactly, but I’m going to enjoy my last homecoming just a little,” he jokes.

Every team, coach and player says they take the season one week at a time, but a potential showdown with Alcorn State for the East Division title on Nov. 19 is intriguing for JSU, as that game could mean a berth in the SWAC Championship Game.

“It doesn’t matter if that game is for the division title or not,” Jones says. “My freshman year, we were in the championship game no matter the outcome, and they beat us, and the next year they were in no …