Saints season ends with NFC divisional playoff loss to Seattle

There was no celebration for the Saints' Who Dat Nation on Saturday. The Saints failed to get it done in the divisional round playoffs falling to the Seattle Seahawks 23-15 as the Black & Gold offense sputtered in the first half. Seattle and their 12th Man did get the job done and proved they and proved one again they are the better team having derailed the Saints 34-7 back in week 13 also in Seattle.. The Saints finish the season 12-6, while Seattle improved to 14-3 and will now host the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field Sunday at 5:30. Seattle dominated the game, especially in the first half rushing out to a 16-0 advantage as they dominated the early play and used the consistent running of Marshawn Lynch, who finished with 140 yards 28 carries including TD runs of 15 and 31 yards. With the Seahawks' ground game controlling the clock and time of possession quarterback Russell Wilson only put the ball up 18 timne completing nine passes for 109 yards. Wilson also ran the ball three times for 16 yards keeping the SDaints' defense honest. The Saints shot themselves in the foot early with Mark Ingram fumbling the ball and Shayne Graham missed an early field goal as the Black & Gold fell behind. The Saints' defense actually played a pretty good ball game and the club never quit being able to battle back with two fourth quarter touchdowns. Marques Colston caught 11 passes for 144 yards with a nine-yard touchdown reception from Drew Brees, but it wasn't enough. Saints all-pro tight end Jimmy Graham was a non-factor coming up with just one reception for eight yards. Brees struggled mightily in the first half and only had 34 yards through the air, which helped to be the team's undoing. Brees managed to get on track during the second half, finishing with 309 yards hitting on 24-of-43 passing attempts. Khiry Robinson showed his ability rushing for 57 yards on 13 carries followed by Ingram with 49 yards on 10 rushes.The Saints finished with 108 yards rushing on 26 carries averaging 4.2 yards per attempt, while Seattle gained 174 yards on 35 carries, averaging 5-yards per attempt.