NFL Playoff Picture: Saints Lock Up Playoff Spot, At Least 5th Seed

by Dave Cariello on Dec 28, 2010 12:00 PM CST

With their win over the Atlanta Falcons last night on Monday Night Football, the Saints have officially clinched a spot in the playoffs and guaranteed themselves at least the first Wild Card and the 5th seed.

If the Saints can beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week at home and the Falcons - somehow - lose to the lowly Panthers then they would swap places with Atlanta, lead the NFC, earn the first seed and secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. That's a huge swing.

So break out the bubbly and celebrate another successful Saints season! But not too long, because they need to take care of business next week and hope for a miracle.

Division Leaders	Record	Wild Card	Record	In the Hunt	Record
	12-3 y		11-4 y		9-6
	10-4 z		9-6		9-6
	11-4 z				6-9
	7-8

z - clinched division title

y - clinched Wild Card

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Comments

I don't know what it is Dave

But I seem to be having a lot of trouble with this graphic. It’s the same one that was causing loading issues from I8.photobucket last week too. All the division leaders, wild card and in the hunt info is a solid black brick.

Anyone have any ideas? Turn something off on my side maybe? When the graphic’s up on the main page, it takes 5-10 minutes to fully load the page.

"Aristotle was not Belgian. The central message of Buddhism is not 'every man for himself.' And the London Underground is not a political movement. Those are all mistakes, Otto. I looked 'em up."

by jeff.l.b on Dec 28, 2010 12:11 PM CST reply actions

Not sure exactly how to help, but try this.

If I am good I could add years to my life / I would rather add some life to my years.

by Jay Preece on Dec 28, 2010 1:09 PM CST up reply actions

looks ok from here

"Bow Down Before The One You Serve"

by MobileSaint on Dec 28, 2010 12:45 PM CST reply actions

The main trouble I'm having

is that it’s showing the Bears as 9-4. They’re 11-4.

"Dang! The Saints won the Super Bowl!" - my wife, Meso "Happy" Hu Dat.

by Dang Hu Dat on Dec 28, 2010 12:49 PM CST reply actions

A reason for (extremely slight) optimism regarding the Panthers:

They have been resting since last Thursday, the Falcons have a short week with a Monday night game.

by iiAndyiiii on Dec 28, 2010 1:25 PM CST reply actions

At least the Panthers have clinched the first pick in the draft. Now, they have nothing to lose by winning! Right?!?!?! (Not holding my breath.)

by Nabb1 on Dec 28, 2010 1:32 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

"nothing to lose by winning" i love it! rec'd

"You can't be king of the world, if you're a slave to the grind."

by Dan Kelly on Dec 29, 2010 10:47 AM CST up reply actions

Based on their performance against the Steelers, I think they were resting during the game and the days leading up to it. So, they’ve actually had two whole weeks of rest.

by Drew-Dat on Dec 29, 2010 5:06 PM CST up reply actions

good point

Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon...smart too late. - Mike Tyson

by lovingmma25 on Dec 30, 2010 10:29 AM CST up reply actions

another 2009-2010 success side note

that by no means should be considered making it ok to rest on laurels…

The 2009-10 Saints have set a new team record for wins in consecutive seasons (24 – 13-3/11-4), besting the 1991-92 team record of 23 (11-5/12-4).

Geaux Saints!!!

It's gonna be a great year.

by Hans Petersen on Dec 28, 2010 1:38 PM CST reply actions

Maybe a winning franchise in the works?

Breesus Is My Homeboy

by SarahT on Dec 28, 2010 3:33 PM CST reply actions

Would have settled for a play-off spot pre-season

But now I`m greedy and want to win it all again.
I think Carolina can win on sunday the Falcons looked devastated
at the loss , and after last year when we lost to Dallas one defeat can easily
turn into two. Not many people gave the bucs a chance against us last year.
OK that`s the end of my straw clutching

That could`ve been me,a useless knome fishing
for turds in a birthing pool.

by saint_chew on Dec 28, 2010 3:34 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

The fifth seed isn't going to be that bad.

Right now, there’s as good of a chance the NFC Championship game will come down to the Packers and Saints as any other possibility. They’ll both have to win on the road, but they’re both going to be the wild card team nobody wants to play.

I said it earlier and I’ll repeat it. I have more confidence in the Saints reaching the Super Bowl this year than I did at this point in the season last year.

by Drew-Dat on Dec 29, 2010 5:32 PM CST reply actions