Bush will not play in Saints - Chiefs game

It's do or die time for the Black and Gold as their season is down to just seven game left. The Saints know that in order to reach the post season, it's likely they will have to win at least six of those games. The task is daunting, but the best approach -according to the team- is to follow the old cliche' take one game at a time.

So, the focus must be on Kansas City, a team that is 1 - 8, but has played solid football over the last three weeks. They lost by a combined eight points in the past three games. A big reason the Chiefs have been in those ball games is take-aways. K.C. has nine of them, six interceptions and three fumbles.

"When we started the week out, one of the things that we talked about is we need to understand the type of defense that we're playing, and they've done a great job to their credit of taking the ball away," says Saints head coach Sean Payton. "We have to not turn the football over in this game... to win."

On defense, the key will be for the Black and Gold to identify which offense the Chiefs will run. "The challenge is the current spread shot-gun offense we've been seeing with the addition of running back Larry Johnson," Payton says. "How much conventional offense then do we see with him? Do we see any? So being able to defensively adjust from a scheme standpoint from a one back run approach to the conventional offensive looks."

INJURY FRONT

Five Saints will not play in the game Sunday. RB Reggie Bush, C Jonathan Goodwin, FB Mike Karney, CB Aaron Glenn, and DT Brian Young.

Bush practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday, but the chance for reinjury outweighs him being on the field. So, the team is erring on the side of caution. "We set a goal, and I think the rehab has gone well, but -especially for his position- I think it's not ready... obviously we're going to be smart," said Payton following Friday's practice. "He'll be a hundred percent when we put him back on the field. It's close but it wasn't ready."

As for Young, his left knee that has been giving him trouble for a year and half now is giving him more issues. Payton said Young's knee needed draining Thursday. "It's gotten to a point where it's pretty serious, the condition that it's in."

ON TAP

The Saints will go through a light walkthrough Saturday morning and then depart for Kansas City. Sunday they will battle the 1-8 Chiefs at noon.