Vitt Praises Saints' Resolve, Aims for .500 Finish

Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt is urging his players to keep thinking about the Lombardi Trophy as they prepare for what otherwise is an anticlimactic season finale between two non-playoff teams.

Vitt says the Saints are still working toward their second Super Bowl title as an organization, even if they can't do it this season.

The Saints are coming off a 34-31 overtime victory at Dallas on Sunday, but were eliminated from playoff contention because of other results. Still, Vitt says he'll remember the 2012 Saints as one of his favorite teams because they never quit.

The Saints' season has been overshadowed by the bounty scandal that resulted in coaches' suspensions. But after opening 0-4, New Orleans could finish 8-8 with a victory over Carolina on Sunday.