Possibility of Perfection: A Comparison of the 2009 Saints and 2007 Patriots
by Saintsational on Oct 21, 2009 6:01 AM CDT
50 comments
I know you've thought about it; don't even try to lie. No need to feel ashamed, though, those thoughts are natural for a person your age to be having. Every fan of an undefeated NFL team right now is wondering whether their guys have what it takes to keep that momentum and remain undefeated all season long. As Saints fans, that means we too get to contemplate the possibility of perfection. Sure, it might be a little presumptuous and ridiculously unrealistic but what the hell is the point of basking in the glow of winning big if you're not gonna have a little fun with it. I think we've earned that right.
So how to tell whether the Saints can keep this dream alive? We can't envision the future and it would be pointless to just speculate. Instead, I thought the more accurate predictor would be to compare the Saints so far with the only team ever to complete a regular season undefeated in the salary cap era: The 2007 New England Patriots.
Two years ago, the Pats were a force to be reckoned with; head and shoulders above their competition. But do the Saints have what it takes this year to be as dominating a force as the Patriots were during their incredible regular season run in 2007? Just for giggles, I took the liberty of correlating the stats of the New Orleans Saints through week six of the 2009 season with the New England Patriots through week five of the 2007 season, both teams having played five games. Unbelievable to admit, the Saints compare very favorably.
First, a look at scoring. The Saints have been piling on the points so far this season scoring a total of 192 - including 25 touchdowns - in their first five games and enough for most in the league. Amusingly enough, that's ten more points and two more touchdowns than the high-flying Patriots had five games into their 2007 season. But, to be fair, New England's defense was tougher against their opponents, holding them to only 65 points and an impressive differential of 117. The Saints have only 99 points between them and their opponents.
It takes a lot of yards to score all those points and naturally, the Saints aren't lacking in that department. The offense has racked up a total of 2,150 yards, once again besting the Patriots 2007 offense by only eleven yards. The Saints have also accomplished that production with slightly more run/pass balance. But the Patriots defense was tighter, only allowing 1,257 yards by their opponent. New Orleans has given up 1,506 yards, 249 more. Keep in mind, however, the Saints gave up a fair amount of late-game garbage yards during blowouts; 438 yards in the fourth quarter alone this season, more than one-third of their opponents total yardage.
Now, here is where it gets better: The Saints have done all of this against a better quality opponent. At the time of their meetings, the Saints opponents have had a total record of 10-1 including two undefeated teams. Much more impressive than the 4-6 record of the teams the 2007 Patriots faced. Taking the record analysis even further, after five games the total record of the teams New England had defeated was 7-18, just a 28% winning percentage. The teams the Saints have beaten currently have a total record of 14-15, giving them a more profound 48% winning percentage.
Amazingly, the Saints' offense is clicking along at a slightly higher level than the Patriots were during their bid for perfection and have a legitimate excuse for being just shy of New England's defensive production. And they've done it all against better teams. That's impressive. Could all of this mean the Saints have a legitimate shot at running the table in 2009? There's nothing that says they can't and the signs so far are in their favor. Staying focused and healthy will be key. But what are the odds it actually happens? Not good. Probably like one in a million.
So you're telling me there's a chance...YEAH!
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Uh-Oh
Hear that sound? I think that’s the Lords of Karma deliberating about whether it should be Drew’s knee or elbow…
Take it Back! Take it Back!
by Jon B on Oct 21, 2009 7:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
whoa whoa whoa
i’m not sure if we’ll beat miami this weekend much less EVERY TEAM still on our schedule. hey, we’ve been playing amazingly well and i’m the first to argue that we’re undoubtedly the best team in the league RIGHT NOW, but we’re only 6 weeks into the season. let’s at least wait until we’re like 10-0 before we talk about running the table.
by jful on Oct 21, 2009 8:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
uh
have you been watching the saints all these years i dont care what their record is as long as they win a super bowl i would be happy as a wild-card if it produced a superbowl win
by simone219 on Oct 21, 2009 8:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think that's the biggest reason we won't go undefeated
The Patriots had a dynasty; they had really nothing higher to achieve other than the perfect season. One more ring didn’t matter as much to them; a perfect season was the only thing they didn’t have.
The Saints and most of these players don’t have a ring. Winning the Superbowl is the elusive goal and it’s the focus. We don’t care about a perfect season; we’ve been around since 1967 and it’s about time we won a Superbowl. We’re not going to jeopardize that at any costs, which means sitting some of our top players to save them from injury whereas New England was putting Brady in the middle of it to try to get every single win.
To go undefeated, you have to want it real bad. We don’t want it real bad; we want the Superbowl real bad.
I'm proud of my damn strong football team. Have a great day!
by Mikethetiger on Oct 21, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
True. But on the other hand, we also want home-field pretty bad because that increases our chances of getting to the super bowl in the first place. So I hope they continue to win for quite some time, then if necessary throw a meaningless game or two at the end of the season by playing scrubs and backups.
I don’t truly care if we go undefeated. But I would like us to get close. And the question was whether they can, not if they will and by that standard the answer is undeniably yes… so far….
by FriarBob on Oct 21, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
4 toughest games....
@ Miami
@ Atlanta
New England
vs. Atlanta
The rest, I think are gimmes.
Could maybe throw @ Carolina in there since we struggle there so much. Even if they get swept in those 4, We’re 12-4. I think realistically we’re gonna be 13-3.
What I’m looking for is home field advantage. We all know any outdoor road game in January is trouble. But, if the Saints and Vikings end up with the byes (Saints get 2nd or 1st), then i think we have a real good chance to beat the Vikings in the Metrodome. I think going to NY, Chicago, or any outdoor city will be an issue in January.
by Jimmmie on Oct 21, 2009 8:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Of course there's a chance
The question wasn’t "Do you think the Saints will win out, but “Is there a chance they could?” Of course it’s possible. It’s also possible for the Colts, Broncos, and Vikings. It remains possible for any team until someone beats them.
Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston
by MtnExile on Oct 21, 2009 8:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Call me crazy...
…but I would rather they win every single game other than the game against Dallas at the end of the season. They should lose that game to get the loss out of the way. Idealy, I would like them to lose the very last game of the season , but the last 2 games are division games so I would prefer the Saints to win those. The reason I want them to get a loss is that late is because, statistically, the more games you win in a row, the more likely you are to lose the next game. After all, the Pats won every single game but lost the most important one. They were due for loss, and ufortunately it was the Superbowl.
by jack_casse on Oct 21, 2009 8:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
While I appreciate the idea of dropping one game to get the pressure off
to the Cowboys? I could deal with dropping the last game to the panthers on the road, but I don’t think I could stand losing to Romo & Jerry Jones as our one loss.
I'm proud of my damn strong football team. Have a great day!
by Mikethetiger on Oct 21, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well...
…it’s just that the Cowboys fell into that spot… but you I guess you’re right. In any case, the closer to the end of the season they have a loss, the less games they have to win in a row to win the Superbowl.
by jack_casse on Oct 21, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If we are 15-0 and 5-0 in the division, losing to the punkthers won’t mean jack squat to our standings unless the Vikings are also 15-0 (and do you really think they will be?).
Not that I like them, but I think we can afford to throw that game if need be. Just don’t pull a Tampa Dismay and completely sit Drew for three weeks straight. Let him play a quarter or something before you put Brunell in.
by FriarBob on Oct 21, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Won't happen.
Payton has a thing for beating up his old teams, he won’t pull his starters for the Cowpatties game, because he wants to rub the fact that he could have been the Cowgirls’ coach but got passed over for WADE PHILLIPS in Jerry “Al Davis, Jr.” Jones’ face.
If they pull a “we got it locked, let’s coast” thing (which I hope they don’t under any circumstances), it will start after the Dall@$$ game.
As for going undefeated: Yes, they have the POTENTIAL to do so, but then again so do the Broncos, Colts (have you SEEN their schedule – talk about cupcake! :-P ), and the Vikings.
Will they? Who CARES?
The real thing – just read MtnExile’s sig file, that’s all we should care about.
Irony: An atheist Saints fan.
by GSO Saints Fan on Oct 21, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He ate the cheese, he ate the cheese!
Cheese is pretty good stuff.
by GlackAndBold on Oct 21, 2009 9:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What have been the downfall in the past
is bad weather, outdoor, windy games. We have been a dome team since Payton got to NOLA, but this year is different. As the weather gets worse, what wins games is running the ball and good defense. This year, we have both. The Saints have as good a chance as any team has ever had to run the table. With that said, the only thing better than winning the Super Bowl, would be to be the first team to ever do it with a perfect record. This is our year to dream. So, go ahead a dream. I say, if your going to dream, DREAM BIG!!! Who Dat!!
This is OUR year!! Yea, I said it. Who Dat!!!
by Big and Easy on Oct 21, 2009 9:27 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
This I Like
DREAM BIG WHO DAT NATION!!!!!!
"He's going to have so many balls he might have to sell them back to Wilson when he retires,"
-Silky Powell, Saints equipment manager
by Ponysaints on Oct 21, 2009 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is ridiculous
We’ve played 5 games. Mind you it’s 5 very impressive games… but that kind of talk is gibberish. Seriously, it could all end this weekend. Not a fan of that kind of talk AT ALL. To even start thinking about something like that at this point is counter productive and pointless.
by saints-nation on Oct 21, 2009 10:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Uhhh
The Saints easily went undefeated on Madden….Just saying….I beat everybody by like 40 points…..Drew Brees was MVP…Just saying…..
I see what you got...Lets rock - Al Bundy
by knucklesmalone on Oct 21, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not sure I agree with the first guy (what team doesn’t at least consider the possibility after a big win streak gets going). But using Madden as “proof” of it being possible… well, that kind of lacks something… like reality…
by FriarBob on Oct 21, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
everybody knows madden is a direct relation to reality. (do i have to say sarcasm or is it just implied?)
I see what you got...Lets rock - Al Bundy
by knucklesmalone on Oct 21, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i thought it was pretty damn obvious
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by Saintsational on Oct 21, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm tellin y'all....
there is money to be made in inventing a “sarcastic” font.
Bringing families together through incorrect grammar and incoherent thoughts, don't mention it. It's what I do.
by asaint on Oct 21, 2009 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I can't believe I'm about to say this...
but I agree with you. What a genius idea.
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by Saintsational on Oct 21, 2009 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The guys at the Times-Picayune played the Saints-Giants matchup on Madden with the Saints blowing out the Giants…. Thought it was funny til about 3pm sunday… hhmmmm…..
Before you pick your Super Bowl winner ask yourself this: Can you name an offense that can keep pace with the Saints?- Jerome Bettis
by Dan39465 on Oct 21, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sober up everybody... one game at a time...
by bondcrash on Oct 21, 2009 11:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
bondcrash! Stalwart of the NOLA.com Saints message board! Welcome to the civilized side of uninitiated Saints commentary(well, most of the time)! I guess most people carry some name on both boards, but I’ve never noticed you over here.
Anyway, agree, 100%. No team pulls the rug out like the Saints of yore. This group’s got a long way to go before they prove that’s been taken care of.
"Brees will kill you, but he lets you decide how fast he tightens the garrote." -Chris Brown
by FuSoYa on Oct 21, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Newbe here...
Been on NOLA for ages but that has become unbearable… LOL
by bondcrash on Oct 21, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What happened to cautious optimism?
For one thing, the health of this team has not yet been an issue. Jeremy Shockey’s never played a full 16-game season in his seven-year career. The LB corps lack depth. Ditto at some spots on the DL and OL.
This team’s lack of outdoor and cold-weather experience could become another issue, though the Saints play only one such game: @Washington, December 6.
There are too many intangibles in the air to predict an undefeated season. This team is the best in the league, but still has to play Atlanta (4-1) twice, as well as the Patriots and Cowboys. This weekend’s game at Miami also has the makings of a letdown trap. This team has to re-focus to go on the road after a huge (and relatively easy) victory at home.
by Rocks on Oct 21, 2009 12:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Cautious optimism?
I assure you, sir, I have no idea what you’re talking about. ;-)
Seriously though, how could I be cautious anymore after this start. No matter what, I’m still a die-hard Saints fan.
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by Saintsational on Oct 21, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Miami is not a trap game...
their secondary is rather average… yeah they run all those gimmicks but how can a team who has the ball for 45 minutes (!!) still lose that game… answer… another qb with attributes (Peyton) torched them…
Ubi maior minor cessat
by bondcrash on Oct 21, 2009 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You DO realize
that trap game defeats typically defy pre-game rationalization, don’t you?
"Paralyze resistance with persistence" -Woody Hayes
by coldpizza on Oct 22, 2009 3:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This Sir, is what happened....
I really hope to point at this several times through out the year.
Bringing families together through incorrect grammar and incoherent thoughts, don't mention it. It's what I do.
by asaint on Oct 21, 2009 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
http://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2009/9/7/1019442/whodats-coming-with-me
that was what was supposed to show up the first time.
Bringing families together through incorrect grammar and incoherent thoughts, don't mention it. It's what I do.
by asaint on Oct 21, 2009 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hey saint fans....
would love an outside opinion. both sides are biased….
http://www.battleredblog.com/2009/10/21/1094523/wayne-vs-johnson
You are banned from Music City Miracles. (twice)
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.
by chrisd21 on Oct 21, 2009 12:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wayne is what... 37?
Ubi maior minor cessat
by bondcrash on Oct 21, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i voted for wayne
AJ is a best but Wayne is just as good. I’d take either one but when the game is on the line and the ball absolutely has to be caught, Wayne is someone I’d like to have more than AJ.
Superbowl bound!!!...I know! do you?! Go Saints!!
by skinnykinney on Oct 21, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well you asked for it… so don’t blame me if you don’t like the answer.
The answer is quite obvious. It’s Wayne. It’s not that Johnson isn’t very VERY good. He is. But Wayne has three key reasons why he is better:
1. He has stayed healthy. He has not missed a single game since ‘02.
2. He has consistently performed. Over 1000 yards for 5 years straight? That’s impressive.
3. He put up a good chunk of those numbers over the last 5 years when he was NOT actually the best receiver on the team (Marvin Harrison was).
4. (bonus) He has a better and more consistent (and mostly consistently healthy) QB to throw to him. And because of that he manages to still catch quite a few balls even when double and triple-teamed.
In contrast, Johnson has:
1. Missed games every other year since 04. Unless you want to tell me the best receiver on your team was a healthy scratch, which is patently ridiculous.
2. Has not consistently performed year in and year out. Some of that is due to injury, true, but it’s obvious when you run the numbers that it cannot ALL be due to that. The only area he has actually been consistent is in averaging about 6.5 catches per game. His YPC fluctuates all over between a low of around 11.0 and a high of around 15.0. And I do mean fluctuates, whereas Wayne has been a steady 14.0+ ever since he became the primary receiver. Has AJ ever not been the primary? Not that I’m aware of at any rate.
3. Which ties in with #3 because as I understand it he’s been the primary (and best) receiver on your team for pretty much his entire time on the team. Production despite not being the one targeted the most often is more impressive in my book at least. That’s not to say AJ hasn’t been impressive for performing despite double-coverage, but Wayne has done the same as well.
I’m sure you won’t like to hear it, but AJ really isn’t the best receiver in the universe. He’s good, tho, and barring injury any year he doesn’t go to the pro bowl is a travesty. But he’s still not superman.
by FriarBob on Oct 21, 2009 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope.
Staring down Mark Sanchez. Just look into the those brown beauties.
by DolfinPhan on Oct 21, 2009 1:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It's real neat to dream ...
But the REALITY is that Payton and Brees have said time and again that the ultimate goal is winning the Super Bowl. And they both know that window of opportunity doesn’t stay open long. Payton will not let a Belichick-like arrogance ruin that possibility, so if they DO happen to win enough straight to lock-up the division AND play-off home field advantage before the regular season ends, you can bet your sweet petunias that he sits his starters for the remaining game(s). So I just do not see them going 16-0.
by Jatchis on Oct 21, 2009 2:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think it's very possible
For the ppl that say it’s about the SB, you’re right it is. Also though, It’s about having homefield throughout the playoffs. If the Vikings or Giants are within grasp of 1st in the conference, we could be playing our starters up to the last game or at least till the Dallas game I believe. TB we could play a lot of our 2nd team and win that game, that’s how bad they are. Also, if they still haven’t lost a game do you think that we will want to ruin that streak? For the Carolina game, if we still need that win for 1st in the conference which is homefield throughout the playoffs, then we could see Brees in for a bit of that game. If we have 1st, it could be the 2nd team who would still have a chance of winning. Also, if Carolina happened(very unlikely but possible) to be in the playoff picture, I see us trying to knock them out of contention. 16-0 is definete homefield advantage throughout. Payton definetly wants that b/c NO gets loud and it’s a dome. It’s definetly possible and a realistic hope
Superbowl bound!!!...I know! do you?! Go Saints!!
by skinnykinney on Oct 21, 2009 2:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Way too soon!
We’re not even half way through the season. Karma has made the Saints her bitch too many times in the past for me to sip that Kool-Aid just yet. That being said, the question was can we. And to that I need look no further than the banner at the top of my browser – Why not us?
by WhoDat_OH on Oct 21, 2009 2:58 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
YEAH!
I like this answer the best.
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by Saintsational on Oct 21, 2009 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Never being from behind
alot of those yards where defently given in our prevent offense.Someone please give a comparioson please.in the jets bills games even thought we were winning we had to keep our base D and when we have our base D we held them to the least amount of yards.where the others we just let em have the dump offs.so do a comparison of the jets bills game then do the math and see where we stand with NE d i bet our numbers would be more similar.But on the other note our offensce would drop dramatical on avergae for those games also so i guess it doesn’t matter and would be untelling.
by darshiva420 on Oct 21, 2009 3:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Playing outside
Im not worried about playing outside it seems payton is filling his roster with cold weather boys Sharper,Vilma ,Brees ,Evans,Thomas,Bell,Greer,alot of players that are used to it
by darshiva420 on Oct 21, 2009 3:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Brees?
I am assuming you’re referring to his college days.
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by Saintsational on Oct 21, 2009 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Be careful what you wish for
As a Pats fan, the 2007 season became incredibly stressful (for the fans!) as the season wore on. The downside is that we had to endure Don Shula interviews and guest appearances – don’t even get me started on Mercury Morris – at every game and in every announcer’s booth on hand to celebrate when the Pats finally lost watch the games. The media will hound the players asking about “perfection” at every chance, and then jump all over it if there’s even a hint of confidence or cockiness displayed.
Advice from experience – don’t wish for 16-0, wish for 19-0 or nothing, lol.
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Oct 22, 2009 12:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You got my vote
"Brees will kill you, but he lets you decide how fast he tightens the garrote." -Chris Brown
by FuSoYa on Oct 22, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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