By DAVID VITRANO

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The Saints seem to be on everyone’s lips these days. As such, L’Observateur thought it would be appropriate to ask it readers “The New Orleans Saints’ unprecedented 13-0 start created some lofty expectations for the 2009-10 football season. What, if anything, still needs to happen for it to be considered a successful campaign?” in its weekly online poll.

According to poll results, over half of respondents, following the overtime win on Sunday against the Vikings, consider this season a success already.

Another quarter of voters will have to wait until Feb. 7 when the Saints face off against Peyton Manning the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV to see if they can truly call this year a success.

As for the rest of respondents, it seems some people will never be satisfied. Perhaps 43 years has just hardened their hearts to the beloved Black and Gold beyond repair.

A full breakdown of last week’s results follows:

• 14 percent of respondents chose “They’ve already been more successful this year than any other year. Mission accomplished.”

• 38 percent of respondents chose “The Saints must beat the Vikings on Sunday to call the season an absolute success.”

• 25 percent of respondents chose “All or nothing. They must win the Super Bowl, or the season is a bust.”

• 11 percent of respondents chose “Success? The Saints still have a lot to prove before they can be called a success.”

For next week’s question, L’Observateur will continue to ride the excitement surrounding the Saints, just like the rest of the region. The question is: Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings was one of the most exciting games football fans have seen in a while. In a game truly decided by a few key plays, which play do you think was the most crucial?

Visit www.lobservateur.com to vote.