December 28, 2006.

So what does a Saints fan do this week?.

The playoff bye for the first round is secure. The outcome of their game with Carolina is meaningless.

So what’s a Saints fan to do when there is nothing to worry about? One could always worry for the Jets. Yes, the franchise almost as adept at losing as the Saints has an opportunity to reach the playoffs. The only obstacle in the mighty Jets’ way is the Oakland Raiders, the worst team in football.

The Jets and Saints, believe it or not, have a lot more in common than just losing. The obvious being the &#8220New” in their home cities’ names. But both have a baby-faced coach who has taken losers and made them winners.

Sean Payton of the Saints and Eric Mangini of the Jets each look as if they should be preparing for final exams as opposed to the NFL final run, and both have brought exuberance to franchises so closely linked to frustration and misery.

Which team has a surgically repaired quarterback who has performed beyond everyone’s expectations?.

Well, both. The Saints’ Drew Brees is having an MVP season after the Chargers gave up on him after last season. The Jets feature Chad Pennington, who can’t throw the ball very far, but he is accurate and he is healthy.

Since Saints and Jets fans have obvious similarities, both should feel for one another. The Saints have an opportunity Sunday to get some players healthy, keep others sharp and prepare for a second-round playoff game. The Jets have an opportunity to shock even the fiercest critics, or they can do what they normally do and bring their fans to the brink of exultation before opening the trap door.

Everything points toward a Jets win. They are playing the Raiders, at home, with a reserved, quiet New York crowd celebrating the Jets and the New Year. They are considerable favorites on the betting lines and have no reason not to perform.

But then again, lest we forget our history and how adept at snagging defeat the Jets are. Normally when dealing with the Jets this late in the season with playoffs on the line, the obvious bet would be to go with Oakland.

But this is a new team, much like the Saints. These are the New Jets, with the new head coach and the plastic-shouldered quarterback. If the Saints can do it, well, surely the Jets can at least hold the lead into the fourth quarter so we can have a couple hours of fun.