Patriots @ Saints: What's all the Fuss About?
by Dave Cariello on Nov 25, 2009 11:57 AM CST
79 comments
Can I be honest for a minute? Thanks.
I don't see what the big deal is about this game. Actually, let me clarify that; I understand why everyone's making such a fuss, I just don't necessarily agree with them. Most important football game in Saints history? I think not.
This is a statement game, sure. The Saints are undefeated and they're playing a perennially talented team who have tasted perfection before and been where the Saints want to go. Many of us hope this will be a sort of passing of the torch. Bonus for being a prime time game on Monday night. But other than that, is it really that important in the grand scheme of things?
Let's put our pride and fandemonium aside for a moment and truly examine the situation. This is not a divisional matchup. The playoff implications are purely minor given that the Patriots are an AFC team. Only the Saints' battle with the Vikings for the first seed and home-field advantage is really in jeopardy and a Saints loss would merely tie the two teams. There is only one game against an AFC opponent that is truly important this season and you know exactly what I'm talking about.
On a personal level as a fan, I would feel a lot better watching the Saints drop a game to a team that's been part of a dynasty - led by a future Hall of Fame quarterback and coached by a football genius - than to a team like, say, the Rams, who have only won six games in the past three seasons. Or our hated rival, the Falcons. Both of which almost happened. I think you could probably agree with that. .
Besides, the heat is on now for the Saints to go undefeated and I'm not so sure I'm comfortable with that fact. Too much pressure on the team. Eighteen percent of you guys voted and would like to see the Saints lose just one game to ease some of that unnecessary burden. After all, it's a Super Bowl win that really matters, right? So if the Saints are going to lose, it might as well be to the only AFC opponent left on their schedule. The damage would be minimal. Plus, with all the talk and media hype, a loss in front of the entire country during a nationally televised game would certainly quiet all of that nonsense to a dull roar and might allow the team to get back to focusing on what's really important: Football in February.
So if the Saints are going to lose a game, this is the one to do it. Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to this game just as much as the next guy and will be screaming my curly-headed ass off from my second row seat in the Superdome. After all, a Saints win would be sweet just for the simple fact that they'll advance to an 11-0 record and have beaten the Pats in front of the entire nation. It would also allow the Saints to rightfully take back that number one power ranking from the Colts, who stole it last week when they barely beat New England themselves. But I'm not going to cry in my milk the next morning if the boys lose this one. Just as long as they put up a good fight.
So go nuts this week and soak it in, ladies. As fans, we all deserve to bask in the warm glow of perfection. But the Saints don't need to win this game. The 2009 season will be far from lost without it.
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thank you
ive heard a lot of people bring up the importance of this game. i would much rather beat the cowboys or falcons if given the choice.
by DrewBreesManCrush on Nov 25, 2009 12:07 PM CST reply actions
Well said!
Just don’t lose a conference game from here on out and I’d be happy. This is a cherry on top for me. Lookin forward to bein to drunk to work on tues. Who Dat!
by saints fan in cowboyland! on Nov 25, 2009 12:23 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Depends...
I kind of believe that those that bow to the 16-0 pressure are ultimately the fans and the media…. A powerful argument to the players to win this game is the one of the passing of the torch…. I dont buy that we should lose a game to get it out of the system. And anyway getting HFA will likely have to go through a 14-2 or maybe even a 15-1 given that the Vikes have a lighter schedule than us… are we really ok if we lose this game? I doubt it
The two games we should be worried about are @ Washington (trap game after the MNF and always a tough place) and @ Atlanta who cant afford any further faux pas to get to the offseason (less so Carolina that may be playing for pride only the last game). I would be surprised if we get two wins out of those.
So the question is… will they play flat out to get that HFA… I believe so
Ubi maior minor cessat
i dont think anyone is suggesting that the players
give anything less than 110% in any game unless we have hfa wrapped up. i didnt vote for the saints to lose a game in that poll and i hope they go undefeated, but in the grand scheme of things this is not our most important game.
by DrewBreesManCrush on Nov 25, 2009 12:30 PM CST up reply actions
My point is...
This is not a losable game because it could compromise HFA. Personally I think this is an easier game than the following two… But thats just an humble opinion…
Ubi maior minor cessat
Hate that argument, that it's better to lose a game and win the Super Bowl
It’s not an either-or choice. Sure, if it was a guarantee that if the Patriots lost a game in that 2007 regular season then they’d win the Super Bowl, I’d be all for it. But players go out to win every game that they play in. If they’re successful in doing just that, how can that turn into a criticism? “Well… if they had lost one that didn’t count instead of going for the record, they would have won the big one.” It’s a ludicrous argument and actually an insult to the players who have been trained and disciplined to play 60 minutes of football and not give up until the end.
Keep the faith!
by Marima on Nov 25, 2009 5:08 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Thank You
I hate that, too. Win ’em all.
This is OUR year!! Yea, I said it. Who Dat!!!
by Big and Easy on Nov 30, 2009 8:33 AM CST up reply actions
good point
Win, lose, or draw The Pats and The Saints go on to win the division this game isn’t really that important to either team in the big picture. But it would be great for the Saints and there fans to go undefeated but the pressure almost takes the fun out of it
Any given Sunday
I dis-agree
This game is alot more important to the Pat’s
If they lose they have to go to miami next week and play for lead in their div.
you're right...
The Pats need this one more than the Saints. If they lose and the Phins win, there’s only a one game cushion for New England.
Keep the faith!
I don't think this is the most important game of Saints history...
that’s ridiculous but I do think this is gonna be a heck of a game. I’m just looking forward to watching it!
Don't worry I got your back cuz...
Good words, Tay, +1
And what’s refreshing…as I was just thinking earlier today…is that we are being discussed in the buildup to this colossal collision as legit contenders, and not “it’ll take a miracle for the Saints to have a prayer/hope to even entertain the thought of winning” that we have had to suffer in years past…
Great game coming…let’s get to it!!!!
"In the end, the bread was in the pudding." -- Bobby McCray
Shop as usual, and avoid panic buying.
cute
wise guy
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by Dave Cariello on Nov 25, 2009 1:31 PM CST up reply actions
but seriously folks
i have a random, un-thought-out/not backed by any fact, theory on why it might be good to lose a game…
1) if the saints go into the playoffs undefeated, they might (MIGHT) develop the dangerous comfort that comes with cockiness. like a child who has never been hurt or lost anything, at times it seems like the undefeated teams can get surprised by opponents. look at all the once undefeated teams this year (DEN, NYJ, & NYG) and how they lost
2) if the saints lose a game before the playoffs, that might be a welcome wakeup call. better now then against minnesota. to get beat by the pats…or even a lesser team like the bucs or skins could teach this team about losing. no doubt they have great leadership in drew brees, but even he has had some lousy games in the past few years. with all the injuries, even though it has worked out so far, the offense cannot score at will if the defense is having an off day. the reverse is even more obvious. our defense has been insane, but with all those bodies missing, how many more times can they keep us in a game when we arent putting up points?
undefeated might be just the carrot we need to keep us motivated and energized through the rest of the season. something to keep us extra hungry in practices. maybe a lose would send us off the tracks (see DEN, NYJ & NYG). but maybe a lose is in a championship recipe?
It's about pride and respect
It’s about shutting up the media naysayers who moan about our schedule but are quiet about the Vikes even weaker one.
It’s about my irrational hatred of New England sports teams.
It’s about beating Beachick at his own game.
It’s about erasing that squeaker with the Rams in everyone’s mind.
It’s about showing the world that Brees’ stock is up adn Brady’s is down.
It’s about possibly clinching a playoff berth in week 12.
It’s about showing the world that this is our year!
by CoachOfEarl on Nov 25, 2009 1:34 PM CST reply actions 8 recs
great response
I didn’t expect you all to take my words sitting down
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by Dave Cariello on Nov 25, 2009 1:41 PM CST up reply actions
Partially Agree
I agree that this isn’t the most important game in saints history. But I disagree that it would be ok to lose. Im not attacking you, Im just don’t agree with wanting your team to lose. Yes there is a lot of pressure to go undefeated but 95% of that pressure is the media and us fans. Why wouldn’t you want to be the best in the league. Yes the superbowl is more important, but how is it not fun to want to go 16-0? Seriously.
Yes New England is a great team and could be considered a dynasty. The colts battled them to the end and won. And who doesn’t wan to win the division at home for the first time in team history. The only statement the saints should make is 11-0.
by the way
Boom!!
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by Dave Cariello on Nov 25, 2009 1:41 PM CST up reply actions
YEAH!!!! Let's kick off right the heck now!!!!!
"In the end, the bread was in the pudding." -- Bobby McCray
Shop as usual, and avoid panic buying.
I just read it again
seriously, I love it.
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by Dave Cariello on Nov 25, 2009 2:08 PM CST up reply actions
Thanks a lot
I won’t mind at all if we don’t go undefeated this year, but I just can’t pick a game that I’d rather lose.
Rec'd it!
I don’t disagree with anything Saintsational wrote. I think it’s right on the money. But my personal, irrational hatred of the Pats, Belicheat, and Brady make this a must-win game for me. I can’t wait for Monday night! We were talking about the game over lunch today and my hubby asked if I thought the rowdy crowd was going to show up in the Dome on Monday. I said “I’m sure they will. But I KNOW the rowdy crowd is going to be in my living room Monday night!!”
I really don’t need the Saints to go undefeated. I just want them in (and win) the Super Bowl. But I can’t think of a “good” game to lose. Not the Pats. Not Atlanta. NOT Dallas…my son’s 5th grade buddies are die-hard Cowgirl fans. I’d never hear the end of it, if we lost that one.
Forget the nickel and dime, you'd better bring a half- dollar to deal with this team.--Tony Moss, NFL editor
by SaintsFan-KS on Nov 25, 2009 3:08 PM CST up reply actions
These are the CSC core beliefs for this week
"In the end, the bread was in the pudding." -- Bobby McCray
Shop as usual, and avoid panic buying.
yes!
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by Dave Cariello on Nov 25, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions
BOOM!!!
Who Dat!!
This is OUR year!! Yea, I said it. Who Dat!!!
by Big and Easy on Nov 25, 2009 3:37 PM CST up reply actions
Saintsational
you stole my piece! I was literally coming up with essentially the same thing. So basically I agree with you 100%… back to the drawing board.
haha
Sorry. That’s been done to me as well. I hate it!
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by Dave Cariello on Nov 25, 2009 2:25 PM CST up reply actions
The no. 1 seed
I truly want the Saints to lock in the no. 1 seed this year. It’ll help, but is it a necessity? The NFC Championship is gonna be played in a dome this year no matter who finishes where. It’s not gonna happen in a cold weather stadium like Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, or Green Bay where the Saints may lose a little of their edge. Plus, if the Vikes lock it in ahead of us, they’ll still have to win one game against a lesser seed (Cardinals would be my guess). If they don’t and we beat our lesser seed team, we’ll still get the championship in NOLA. I truly want the Saints to get the top seed, but I won’t worry too much if they don’t.
Oh yeah, please God let us beat the Patriots! As Coach of Earl so aptly put it, it’s about pride and respect.
"I said this early on that this was a good football team, they just maybe had to have a stick put in certain parts of their body to play a little harder in certain places to where we’re able to take interceptions and score touchdowns."--Gregg Williams
February's all that matters
Just saw that the Colts are the regular season winningest team of this decade. However ask almost anyone who is the team of the decade? Patriots, for sure.
February is all that matters. Bill Belichick knows this. Sure he wants to win each and every game. But there’s a playbook chess match going on at the same time. These two teams may very well face each other again in February. Do we want to reveal all aspects of our Patriots gameplan just for this game, or should we keep a few plays under wraps for the February possibility? Are we willing to run a few bluff plays just to see how they handle them, even if it might lower our chance of winning this game? What would Bill do?
In effect, we can either go way overboard with the hype and show all our cards in order to win this game, or we can use it as a staging ground to set up a favorable situation for the Saints in the potential February rematch. What do you think Bill is doing?
the game does matter
the pressure about going 16-0 is hyped by the media and felt by the fans, but i dont believe for 1 minute that payton has this team thinking in any other mode than “one game at a time” . that being said, the game does matter from the perspective of home field advantage, keeping a game ahead of the vikings will be an important factor in the post season in my opinion, and im sure payton and company feel the same way about this game, and the next, and the next..and so on.
I was thinking about the same thing as well
Win or lose, this is week 11. Week 12 is after this and THAT will be the most important game of season. Then week 13, then 14, etc. Each weeks’ game is the most important of the season. (Do I sound like Coach Payton?) To attach more importance to this one is an emotional response, not a logical one. (Do I sound like Mr. Spock?) So let’s enjoy the game, root for our team, and win or lose, get ready for the next week.
"Never interrupt your enemy when he's making a mistake." -- Napoleon Bonaparte
by Cajun in CA on Nov 25, 2009 3:48 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Wow, I have nothing left to add.
So I rec’d you. Amazing post, Saintsational! Happy Thanksgiving, brotha!
I've been thinking the same thing all week...
But honestly, I expect us to win. As far as the season is concerned the game really doesn’t have much of an impact, but it is a gauge for Payton. He has to know for sure whether or not the gold pants really do contribute to blowouts.
If you drink O'Douls, you don't drink. But if you drink 20 O'Douls in a half hour, then you're a fucking non-alcoholic. Non-alcoholism is a problem too. And there are symptoms, like when you fall down, does it always hurt?
- Mitch Hedberg, April 9, 2002
Don Banks makes excellent point
Here’s what he had to say in ranking the Saints #1:
How the undefeated Saints handle the hype and build-up for their monster Monday-night showdown against New England at the dome should tell us something about how Sean Payton’s club reacts to playing on the biggest of stages. And that could prove useful to New Orleans in looking ahead to the pressure of the postseason, where there are no second chances to get it right. New Orleans’ quest for a perfect record is a nice playoffs simulator of sorts, because you have to win, or that dream dies.
What makes this a big game is how the Saints react to it. Losing it may not be the end of the world; but winning it is like the shot heard round the world. And the Saints themselves need to hear that shot.
Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston
The Aints prevail not, but the SAINTS will!!
This isn’t the aints of old we’re talking about here. Have they struggled this season at times… yes, but what team hasn’t. But the big difference in that they are finishing games and they are a more well balanced team than before. Does New England have a chance of winning…..yes. They are a good team, as are the Saints. I feel very confident that the Saints can win this. I am a huge Saints fan who just happens to live in New England. I am SO sick and tired of hearing about the Patriots. The Patriots this, Tom Brady that….blah. Every dynesty in history has at one point fallen and disappeared. If you want to call NE a dynesty. What goes up must come down. The Pats are on their way down and the Saints are their way up. After having countless bad seasons, the Saints deserve a great one once in a while. With only 2 playoff victories under their belt ever, a super bowl win will be huge for New Orleans. Mardi Gras + Super Bowl win = Party central.
Allow me to get all Louis Farrakhan here
The Super Bowl is played on February 7, 2010.
Mardi Gras is February 16, 2010.
The difference in dates, 16-7, comes to…9. As in, the number of the Saints’ MVP. Could this be our year? Or rather, could next February be our year? Or, the month of our year? Oh, screw it, you know what I mean.
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 Nov 25, 2009 5:53 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree Dave
I said on another post, it’s only important that we play well, not that we win. Much more important for NE to win as they could really benefit from having home field advantage in January. Having said that, I think we will win and getting home field advantage is very important to us too.
A couple of other things 1) I think the country for the most part is with us on this game. Everyone outside of Massachusetts/NE hates the Patriots
2) this team has the character to handle any adversity. I really believe it. They already drank the cool aid.
"I think we agree, the past is over" - George W Bush
"The greatest enemy of knowlege is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking
Indianapolis might be rooting for the Pats in this one
to preserve their own undefeated season.
Keep the faith!
I may be an anomaly here
I don’t hate the Patriots.
I know everyone is against Bill “Belicheat” because of the video scandal, but my own feeling has always been “big deal.” I know he broke the rules…but it’s a rule as important as “thou shalt put on they left shoe first.” I can’t get worked up because someone tried to interecept signals…is that somehow bad, when intercepting the ball isn’t?
Be that as it may, I’ll grant that Belichick cheated. But I don’t think it made a bit of difference…and if it did, so what? Knowing what the opponent is going to do reminds me of World War 2, when it was a damned good thing. You should try to figure out the enemy in advance. And it doesn’t alter my respect for the Patriots and what they have achieved. Neither do Tom Brady’s good looks and supermodel wife…he’s still a damned fine QB and a deserved Hall of Famer-to-be.
I don’t get the hate. They have cool uniforms. Why not reserve your hate for the Vikings, who look like ponces, or the Bengals, who look like clowns? Oh, right—they aren’t important…and the Patriots are.
Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston
There's lots of reasons to hate the Patriots
Cheating is just one of them. That is certainly my biggest reason, and if the NFL had awarded the 2001 Championship to the Rams (like when an Olympic gold medalist is caught cheating), I’d probably not feel nearly as much animosity towards them. (The zamboni field goal still ticks me off, but it’s funny, so I can laugh about that.)
But it goes way beyond that. Another biggie is the number of Tom Brady rules in the NFL. How many rules have been created as a result of Brady’s importance to the league’s bottom line, instead respecting the integrity of the game. You can barely tackle a QB these days. And don’t even get me started on the tuck rule incident.
Then there is the arrogance and lack of class – in their head coach, QB, and many (not all) of their fans. There is a perceived (right or wrong) attitude of superiority that rubs a lot of people the wrong way.
by HB-NOLA on Nov 25, 2009 6:52 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
As they say: it ain't bragging if you can do it
They won 3 Super Bowls in four years. That’s a pretty good record…even with illegal videotape (which, seriously, I don’t think was any factor at all).
As for Brady: the tuck rule was already a rule. I agree with your objections to coddling quarterbacks (although, if we lost Brees to a knee injury, I’d…no, I wouldn’t believe different, but I’d feel worse). What the NFL doesn’t seem to appreciate is that all the rules that made passing dominant also made quarterbacks vulnerable. This is a problem of their own making, and the best way to solve it isn’t to put more restrictions on pass rushers, but to lift the restrictions on pass defenders. Let teams go back to running the ball and throwing deep. Hell, it was more fun then, anyway.
Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston
I was just listing some reasons, not trying to convince you
I know the Tuck Rule was in place already. It was it’s improper application in that game. That sentence should have been in the first paragraph.
I know what you mean about Brees getting hurt. In fact, I think the Saints benefitted from a PF on him earlier this year. But there are so many ways quarterbacks can get hurt, I think all the new rules are pretty silly. Look at the hit McNabb took earlier this year, or Roethlisberger in the Chiefs game (though he put himself in that situation). You’re probably right about the rule changes favoring passing causing many of the “problems”, and I wouldn’t mind seeing some of those relaxed. Intellectually, I don’t want to head slap rule rescinded, but damn it was fun to watch Deacon Jones in action.
It's a matter of pride and respect.
So far this week only one of the so called experts has picked the Saints, Peter King. Many of them are calling the Saints a team on the decline, while the Patriots are a team on the rise. I know intellectually that this is not an important game. It is the game we can afford to lose. However, for our psyche and our self-image. It is an important game. A win shows we are the new power in the NFL, a lose substantiates everything they are saying about on the sports shows. That is the importance of this game. Until the Colts lose, we cannot. Until the Vikings lose, we cannot, if we are going to go to the level in the league we want.
Ajun Cajun exiled to Charlotte. I miss Mardi Gras and the Jazz Fest so much I could cry.
Curly Headed Ass
Do you really ! Just kidding. Hopefully this will be a great game on Monday Night with the Pats finishing on the winning note. I would then like to see a rematch of the Saints-Pats in the Super Bowl. So I’m from New England. I still think the Saints are so far the best team in the NF ? C !
Big Fuss
I absolutely agree with this, you’ve hit it right on the spot!!!! Yes, it’s a big game but NOT the biggest game ever (that would be the Falcons MNF game after Katrina – remember that one?!!!). This one will be fun, a good challenge, a bit of a measuring stick, great to watch while eating some great cajun food (even here in Idaho) and very possibly a win!! However, a loss isn’t the end of the world – it affords some pressure release for the boys to have only the needed football focus to execute consistently, NOT a perfect season. A perfect season would be a superbowl win!!! Geaux Saints!!!! Here in Idaho, I’ll be cheering loudly and eating some good gumbo, BBQ shrimp and jambalaya!!!
Where y'at?
No really…where? I lived 6 years in Moscow.
Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston
south
Just south of moscow — Lewiston. Moved back here about 15 years ago from Portland!
by IdahoSaintfan on Nov 25, 2009 8:40 PM CST up reply actions
Ah, I remember that grade very well. And reaching the top of it, you felt like you’d arrived on a different planet…at least, that’s the way it seems to us at the time. Suddenly everything was green again!
Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston
the grade
absolutely – i ran that grade way too many times as a baseball player for Cheff!!!
by IdahoSaintfan on Nov 25, 2009 11:14 PM CST up reply actions
The importance of this game
has a lot to do with its outcome. If the Saints lose in a close game, then it’s just a tough loss in an otherwise fantastic season. If the Saints get blown out, then they will be viewed as pretenders and not worth the 10-1 record they hold. If they beat the Patriots (especially if they crush them) the Saints will be viewed by many as the best in the league.
The game is also huge in the sense that it’s two of the best teams in the league going head to head, with the added drama of the Patriots being the most likely team to disrupt a perfect season for the Saints. It’s also a potential preview of Superbowl XLIV.
And it has serious playoff implications. Obviously it affects potential home field advantage for the Saints, and more importantly it will put the Patriots in either a very good or possibly very bad situation. A Pats loss on Monday would seriously jeopardize their chances of winning the AFC East. A win for the Patriots, though, would put them in a position to clinch their division the following week.
I think you guys are missing the importance of this game.
The question is do the Saints want to be an elite team or don’t they. Losing this game in the Dome on Monday would destroy any credibility they have to being an elite team. Not to mention it would tie them with Minnesota for home field. That is not good.
Ajun Cajun exiled to Charlotte. I miss Mardi Gras and the Jazz Fest so much I could cry.
credibility
if they would have lost to Miami or the Rams, that would have been REALLY damaging to any credibility … but this Pat’s team is among the elite. I absolutely believe our Saints are in this Elite area and will continue to prove that throughout this super bowl season — regardless of what happens with Monday night. Though I seriously believe we have an outstanding possibility of winning. As for home field advantage though this one, if we’re to lose one and take the pressure off some, is the one to throw into the garbage and learn from!!!
by IdahoSaintfan on Nov 25, 2009 8:44 PM CST up reply actions
Missing it?
I think I pointed out the exact same reasons for its importance that you did. The only difference is that I think if it’s a really close game, then it won’t matter who wins in terms of whether the Saints are perceived to be an elite team.
I'll ask again...
Posed this question once before, but if there was a response I didn’t see it. IF we end the regular season with an identical W/L record with the Vikings, who has tie breaker advantage? By identical, I mean we both finish 15 – 1, both having lost to an AFC team. Everyone I’ve spoken to “thinks” the Saints win the tie breaker, but no one knows for certain. If anyone does know for sure, please answer.
From NFL.com
DETERMINING HOME-FIELD PRIORITY
1. To determine home-field priority among division titlists, apply Wild-Card tie breakers.
2. To determine home-field priority for Wild-Card qualifiers, apply division tie breakers (if teams are from the same division) or Wild-Card tie breakers (if teams are from different divisions).
Those Wild-Card tie breakers are:
1. Head-to-head, if applicable. [Since we didn’t play, this is inapplicable. On to number 2.]
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference. [Since we’re tied and both have only an AFC loss, this is inapplicable. On to number 3.]
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four. [We qualify in this, having both played the Lions, Rams, Panthers, and Giants. But if we’re tied at 15-1, obviously we’re also tied here, so this is inapplicable. On to number 4.]
4. Strength of victory. [Here is hope. The Saints have a much better differential in points—16.5 points per game compared to 11.3 points for Minnesota. But I don’t know—and it’s not explained—if this is meant to be an average strength of victory, or strength of victory in common games. If the latter, then of course some of those games remain to be played.]
5. Strength of schedule. [Again: many of the games remain to be played, so it’s impossible to tell. But so far, the Saints have played the stronger schedule. We need to hope for our division rivals to play well from here on out—their wins won’t affect us a bit if we continue to win as well.]
6. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed. [This is what makes me wonder what “strength of victory” actually refers to. We rank #1 and #9 in points for and against; Minnesota ranks #5 and #6. Is that a combined rank of 10 vs. 11, or 5 vs. 5.5? Either way, we come out ahead…for now.]
7. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed. [In the NFL as a whole, we rank #1 and #13 in points for and against; Minnesota ranks #8 and #10…for a combined rank of 14 vs. 18, or 7 vs. 9. Again, good for us.]
8. Best net points in conference games. [Some of those games remain to be played, but so far the Saints are doing the better job.]
9. Best net points in all games. [Ditto.]
10. Best net touchdowns in all games. [Ditto.]
11. Coin toss. [Wouldn’t it be just our luck for it to come down to this? I don’t think it would, though…we probably win everything from 4 on down.]
So the answer is: as of now, the Saints would have home field advantage. How that might change by the end of the season, though, is far too complicated to tell right now.
Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston
Added note
I did some more Googling to try to figure out what “strength of victory” means…and I still don’t know. It seems that nobody else does, either.
Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston
Did you Bing it?
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by Dave Cariello on Nov 25, 2009 9:49 PM CST up reply actions
Strength of Victory
is the strength of schedule for teams you have beaten, not point differential, which is considered further down the list.
Pretty sure its strength of schedule
Not sure who has that edge at this point between the two, but i would assume at this point the Saints have had the harder schedule.
and that's assuming.....
they both have the same conference record because that is the 1st tiebreaker….so if the Saints lose to the Patriots and the Vikings beat whatever crap they play this week (Bears i think), they would each be 10-1 with an undefeated record against the NFC. Then it would go to strenght of schedule.
What's important to me
is that we play well. If we play well and lose a close game, then so be it. Ir would hurt, but I can deal with that. If we play badly and/or get pounded (which for the record, I do not think will happen) that will open the floodgates of media/fan naysaying,
1972 Dolphins
Saintsational,
I’m sick of seeing them every year popping a champaine cork. I’m ready to see a fresh group of people. And why not the Saints… It must really suck for the commentators to have to talk about the Saints in this manner especially ESPN. So why the hell not? On top of that I hope they flat out shut out the Vikings in the championship so we can really show America how stupid and bias the commentators are towards teams like the Saints.
By the way we don’t want Chunky commercials after it’s all over. We want Mr Clean and Country Crock butter commercials. Mr Clean to represent the team and Country Crock for Brees because he spreads the ball like butter “Smoooooth”
New Orleans Saints all the way with perfection!
Ninth Warder
What's all the Fuss About?
Enjoyed your comments… As a long time Patriot Fan – I would very much agree that
the perfect season stuff is a bit of a distraction. And even if realized – is no guarantee
in the playoffs (or even in the last 1.5 minutes of the Super Bowl… ouch.. still hurts).
As a Patriot fan – I think this game means a lot more to us – because of the recent painful
lose to the Colts and the stiff battle for home field advantage in the AFC. We have a lot
of young players on Defensive – so a win against the 2nd best offense (kidding) in the NFL
would mean a great deal… I like your team – hope both our teams leave this game in tack
health-wise.
by Electricbluebird on Nov 26, 2009 7:42 AM CST reply actions
One more thing.
I do think the Saints are the team to beat… Because of their very good secondary and
awesome offense… They like the Colts are by far the best finishers (have scored a lot
of points in the 3rd and 4th quarters).
by Electricbluebird on Nov 26, 2009 7:57 AM CST up reply actions
Agreed
I am looking at the Division!! this is our last AFC foe until……………
by Saintsfan4life on Nov 26, 2009 12:26 PM CST reply actions
Drewbreesmancrrush is right
I would rather beat Dallas. The most important games remaining for the Saints are ones that they do not even play, like having the Vikings loose…
saints do not need excuses or pre loss judgments
we are not going to loose, we do not need pre excuses why a lost will not hurt us, Saints play better when teams are better, Pats will get their asses handed to them on monday night in the dome, Saints will show the world be belong,Seems some fans are the only ones scared of the Pats,but I as a fan and a Saints backer for life know and believe in this team and know a victory is the only accepteble outcome, so stop worrying and enjoy pats coach post game interview crowning the 2009 New Orleans Saints…… Bless You Boys…
I'm not going to be cerebral about this....
SMOKE ’EM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHODAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Louis Wu, I found your challenge verbose. In challenging a kzin, a simple scream of rage is sufficient. You scream and you leap."
"You scream and you leap," said Louis. "Great."
Here's your shirt idea for tonight
Tom, get off the tracks, ‘cause there’s a freight train a’comin’!!!
Put that on a shirt, and you will be on TV.
This is OUR year!! Yea, I said it. Who Dat!!!
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