I can't speak for every Saints Fan, but here's my take:
Yes, we are VERY excited about Monday's game. Put it in context; in the history of this franchise, we have never gone to the SB, have rarely even gone to the playoffs, let alone win,we have never been 10-0 before, and we are hoping to extend that streak by playing on Monday night against the one team that we most want to be like! Somewhere during the early years of Pats success, you had those moments as well. So don't hate on us because of our excitement.
Also in the history of this franchise, even our best teams were incomplete and fell short. Big time D, no O. Big time O no D. Playing soft, no discipline, undercoached. We've seen it all enough to know that this team is DIFFERENT!
I understand why our fans feel disrespected because of the "East Coast Bias". Despite going undefeated, they feel the national media (don't EVEN say ESPN down here) continually puts this Saints team down. They point out that we've had an easy schedule,(but the Pats or the Vikings haven't?) or that we've gotten by against weak opponents, or that we simply haven't played consistently, esp the last 4-5 weeks. Many of our fans feel if we lose against the Pats, the media will call us overrated at 10-1. If we win, it wont be because we were the better team, but that maybe the Pats had injuries, or the wind in the Superdome gave em problems.
Who knows.
For me, I want us to have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. The Vikings are only one game behind us, and the Patriots stand before us.
Thats why I wanna win Monday night. Not for some record, or because its the Pats. I just wanna beat the next team we face to keep homefield advantage. Im looking at the bigger picture. I think this Saints team is that good, and come playoff time, you take any advantage you can get......
Right, Pats fans?