Can the Saints Win Out the 2011 Season?
by Dave Cariello on Dec 8, 2011 10:00 AM CST
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PrintThe NFL enters the final quarter of the season this week, which obviously means the Saints have only four games remaining on their regular season schedule. Having defeated the Detroit Lions this past Sunday night, it would be fair to say that what's left of their push to the post-season is more than manageable, with their four remaining opponents combining for an unimpressive 17-31 record. So can they continue their current win streak, finish the season strong and win out their schedule?
It's definitely possible. The Titans are a decent team, but certainly a beatable one and if the Saints lose to the Vikings the following week, I'm not sure they even deserve to make the playoffs. The Falcons are without a doubt their biggest obstacle but that's at home and on Monday night and the Saints seem to shine in primetime. They finish up with Carolina but, again, that's at home, where the Saints have yet to lose.
That would give the Saints a final regular season record of 13-3, a lot better than I'm sure most of us would have predicted at the beginning of the year. So where would that leave them in the playoff hunt? Well that all depends on what the San Francisco 49ers do. At the very least it would It give the Saints a first round playoff game at home against a wild card team. But it could also earn them the second overall seed in the NFC and a first round bye with a little help from the Niners.
Assuming the Saints win out, one more loss for San Francisco would give both teams the same overall record and tie them for that second seed. The Niners own the tie-break, however, with a better record within the NFC. That means if the Saints want that first round bye, they'll need San Fran to lose two of their last four. The Niners play in Arizona, home against Pittsburgh then finish it up with two away games in Seattle and St. Louis.
So now you know what you need to be rooting for. Personally, I'm keeping my fingers crossed extra hard that the Niners tank and the Saints are able to sneak into that second seed for that first round bye because I've got a business trip planned that Wildcard Weekend. If the Saints have to play that first week of the playoffs...trip is off.
By the way, the Saints can clinch the NFC South title and/or a playoff spot this week. Here's how:
New Orleans clinches NFC South division with:
1) NO win + ATL loss
New Orleans clinches a playoff spot with:
1) NO win + DET loss OR
2) NO win + CHI loss
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I live about 2 hrs from San Fran
and deal with their fans all day long. They all believe that this is the best team in the league besides GB, and claim their victory over Chicago proves they can beat good teams. I really, really, REALLY want to play them in the playoffs, (in San Francisco), and beat the pants off them. Time for reality to slap them and wake them up.
Hmmm...
I probably shouldn’t come on this. ;-)
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by Dave Cariello on Aug 24, 2011 10:31 AM PDT
by Cajun in CA on Dec 8, 2011 10:11 AM CST reply actions 5 recs
That will happen this weekend when Arizona beats them.
by BlackandGold4ever on Dec 8, 2011 10:12 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Next week also when they lose to Pittsburgh
Our fat punk kicker, Garrett Hartley, missed a game-winner and we lost for the second week in a row - Scott Fujita in 2009
by Ragin Who Dat on Dec 8, 2011 11:01 AM CST up reply actions
Of any game I'd like to like to see in post season
this is it.Would so much love to see The Saints walk on the 49ers.I guess just from all the years we took the beatdown from them.
"Daddy, them cigarettes are gonna kill you". My aunts last words to my 96 year old grandpa before he fell out of bed and broke his neck reaching for a full pack.
If we're both in the divisional round
we’ll play. The only possibilities right now are: a)49ers 2, Saints 3; b)Saints 2, 49ers 3 c)49ers 2, Foulclowns3(Not bloody likely)
Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
Who voted two losses?
Seriously? Two losses? Have you been following the team since the bye week?
by BlackandGold4ever on Dec 8, 2011 10:13 AM CST reply actions
I voted win out, but...
If we drop one of the next two and SF doesn’t, it’s entirely possible the last game of the season doesn’t matter. So picking two losses ins’t necessarily a reflection on the quality of the team.
I’m expecting that San Fran will have two more losses by then and that game will have added significance (1st round bye).
by BlackandGold4ever on Dec 8, 2011 10:23 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, I’m interested to see how much Willis being out will affect SF’s defense. I hope they’re dumb enough to kick to Peterson against Arizona and then get Marshawn Lynch’d when they play Seattle.
Really, if they even only lose one game before the last one, we’d still have something to play for.
by BlackandGold4ever on Dec 8, 2011 11:34 AM CST up reply actions
That’s true, but it would be pretty much the same situation as last year, when we had a shot at the NFC South title if we won our last game and Atlanta lost. It was a long shot, and Peyton clearly regretted playing the starters, particularly in the second half after Atlanta was up quite a bit at half-time. Plus, the 9er’s last game is against the Rams which should be their easiest remaining game (any given Sunday, I know).
I found it…
he is likely out… and left in the first quarter of last weeks game… they still beat the rams at home 26-0
Granted, but it was the Rams with AJ Feely at QB (yes, I’m aware of the stinging irony of the debacle-which-will-not-be-mentioned).
I think this week is our toughest game.
Tenn is not phenomenal, but they are at home and they are good- Chris Johnson could dominate. But I expect us to find a way and then run the table!
If Pro is the opposite of Con, what is the opposite of Progress? Congress!
-Men's Restroom - House of Representatives, Washington, DC
I agree
But I’m also concerned about the Falcons and Panthers (that was weird to type). Cam Newton is better than Mike Vick, and that dude used to give us fits. And with the Falcons it just seems no matter where the game is, it’s going to be close. We never seem to dominate them. Luckily both of those games are in the Dome.
They have to win out!
We need that no. 2 seed! Winning on the road in both San Fran and Green Bay will be extremely difficult. Just winning in Green bay will be extremely difficult.
I’m rooting hard for the 49ers’ next opponents. It’s not outside the realm of possibility that they could stumble a little these last four games, especially since 3 of 4 are on the road. I’d be surprised if the Cardinals challenge them, but they did just get Kolb back and will be at home. They certainly surprised us last year when we played them at home (Ooooh, sorry about reminding everyone about that).
The next two are where they could definitely lose: The Steelers, even though they’ll have to fly across the country, will be a challenge and the Seahawks are a much better team at home when they have the crowd noise helping them.
They’ll probably win their last game at St. Louis too, but there’s a chance the Rams will be trying hard to play spoiler. Outside of our crazy loss there (Oooooh ,there I go again), I think the Rams gave up on the season around week 4. But, this is a divisional opponent, so maybe they can rise up.
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on Dec 8, 2011 10:44 AM CST reply actions
I'm almost sure...
I heard that Frank Gore had a Hammy last week also. Maybe he will miss a few games and put it on Alex’s shoulders.
R.I.P. Andy Rooney
by cajuncommando58 on Dec 8, 2011 1:33 PM CST up reply actions
Gore’s got issues every day. But he has bigger problems to solve than that. Rotoworld.com:
Coach Jim Harbaugh said the 49ers’ early clinching of the NFC West won’t have a bearing on playing time for his starters. The Niners still have a ton to play for over the last four weeks, as they lead the Saints by just one game in the chase for a first-round playoff bye. The bigger concern for Frank Gore owners is that he has four receptions over the last six weeks and faces the elite run defenses of the Steelers and Seahawks in Weeks 15 and 16. Gore also hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 8. Dec 6 – 8:12 AM
It is 'He' Jai Sri Krishna
You forgot another "Ooooh, sorry about reminding everyone about that."
the Seahawks are a much better team at home when they have the crowd noise helping them.
"Well, that sucked."-stujo4 on Rams vs. Saints
i'm still sticking to Brees not playing in week 17
my prediction is we get the 3 seed wrapped up after ATL and the panthers game means nothing and we lose.
by touchdown my pants on Dec 8, 2011 10:53 AM CST reply actions
Funny ...
but that is the game I think we will lose too. Unfortunately, I think we may lose even if Drew is playing. I just have a weird feeling about that game. Plus we always seem to trip up on the last game of the season. We have lost EVERY final game of the regular season since Payton has taken over as head coach. Not a good trend.
Streaks are mean to be broken.
R.I.P. Andy Rooney
by cajuncommando58 on Dec 8, 2011 1:34 PM CST up reply actions
On the other hand, at least three of them we rested starters for at least part of the game, and two of them for the entire game. And two other years we had defenses that were so putrid they actually made our current one look extremely good.
Still, I’ve never been on the “permanent” decline bandwagon for Carolwhina anyway. So I’m sure they will be a handful. And I’m also sure they will beat us if we do rest any of our starters.
Still, I’ve never been on the "permanent" decline bandwagon
Well hell, nothing is permanent. And who said “permanent” anyway? It was a “steep decline”. And they’ve rebounded.
2005 11-5 won NFC south
2006 8-8 2nd
2007 7-9 2nd
2008 12-4 1st
2009 8-8 3rd (ooh, feel it?)
2010 2-14 last
2011 4-8
It is 'He' Jai Sri Krishna
i do hope i'm wrong and the 49ers f up
by touchdown my pants on Dec 8, 2011 10:54 AM CST reply actions
Maybe once
I think they lose to the Steelers, but would still own the tiebreaker with us.
We'll drop one, at least
If not the Titans, then the dirty birds beat us in the Dome. At that point, depending on what the niners do, we may rest the starters for the panties game. I’d love to see us win out, but I don’t trust our defense enough to hope for that.
"I don't suffer from drug addiction. I enjoy it very much."
atlanta is not beating us
in our house. that is a fact
by touchdown my pants on Dec 8, 2011 12:26 PM CST up reply actions
Thanks to FPK'er they did last year!
R.I.P. Andy Rooney
by cajuncommando58 on Dec 8, 2011 1:35 PM CST up reply actions
Actually, more to SP being stupid enough to try to “show confidence” when he should have KNOWN that you don’t put a shaky kicker out there after the opponent deliberately iced him. Put the offense out and run a power run. Then go out for another kick. If they ice him again, repeat again. That would have not only left the dirty birds with no timeouts left but also maybe scored the TD on the running plays as well.
And better yet, it would have left Atlanta with no time left on the clock to try to get their own FG if he misses.
No, sorry, I don’t blame Hartley for the loss at all. The miss was inexcusable, but the miss was NOT why we lost the game. The reason we lost was SP forgot that in the regular season it actually IS possible to tie. He needed to make SURE that he could NOT actually lose the game… and try to win at the same time. He needed to do both. He needed to try to get the winning score, yes. But he also needed to make sure there was no time for Atlanta to respond if there was a miss or other disaster. Because then at least we’d still have gotten the tie. And he didn’t do it.
We sort of own the Falcons on Monday Night Football though...
I don’t see the Saints losing that one
Expect more...you'll get more...and if you don't, start over!
I voted "win out" like a true homer but...
I really think that this game against the Titans is the scariest!
Not because of the outdoor venue or the cold, but because Chris
Johnson is (kinda) back! I just fear he’ll run circles around our weak
tackling D and have about 155 yards when it’s all said and done!
Hopefully we’ll run Ivory right at them too and keep Hasselbeck and Johnson
on the bench! But the Saints running? who am I kidding???
Expect more...you'll get more...and if you don't, start over!
If we let him get outside, he just might. It’s both our weakest area and where he’s had the best success this season. We can NOT have our CBs playing 20 yards off the line this week. They have GOT to be ready to support the run defense… while not falling for play action. Tough job. VERY tough job. But if we want to win (and we do) then that’s what they’ve gotta do.
Realistically yes
I think it’s totally possible for them to do it. Will the team we know can do it show up? Who knows.
Monday they had double team Megatron and therefore gave up huge plays. It’s not like it’s the first time they had to double up on someone so I am not sure why last week was such an issue but it was. They will have to do the same with Chris Johnson so I am hoping the fairly capable defense learned their lesson and can do a better job this time around.
I don’t see San Fran losing more than one game but any given Sunday. Besides the Steelers – who I would like to be the ones that really expose the 49ers faults – they play 3 fairly crappy teams.
Hopefully GW keeps the blitzing to a minimum and continues to buckle down.
The steelers have a week and a half to rest up and prepare for the 49ers.
The steelers could possible have 1st-2nd seed on the line when they play the 49ers.
Baltimore is not that good. I think the only reason why they are ranked as high as they are is because they are in the AFC.
"I can eat oreos faster than him" Scott Fujita's take on Payton Manning SB44
I honestly the 49ers cannot handle a above average offense.
I am 100% positive that the 49ers will lose 2 more games, however, I am just as confident that the Saints will lose one game down the strech.
"I can eat oreos faster than him" Scott Fujita's take on Payton Manning SB44
by jeremysherwin on Dec 8, 2011 3:00 PM CST up reply actions
My vote was for lose one game
I’m hoping to be wrong tho. I want us to win out. But if San Fran doesn’t choke away a division game (and considering how utterly putrid the rest of the division is right now, I just can’t expect it… hope for it yes, expect it no) then we won’t have anything to play for in week 17 and we’ll just let the Punkthers have it.
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