Inspired by a post over at The Falcoholic, I wondered if there was any sort of relation between Saints pre-season records and their regular season counterparts. I was doubtful that one had anything to do with the other but I had to check just in case. Below is a list of the Saints pre-season records as well as their regular season records over the last ten years.
| Year | Pre-Season Record | Regular Season Record |
| 2008 | 2-2 | 8-8 |
| 2007 | 3-2 | 7-9 |
| 2006 | 1-3 | 10-6 |
| 2005 | 1-3 | 3-13 |
| 2004 | 2-2 | 8-8 |
| 2003 | 1-3 | 8-8 |
| 2002 | 3-1 | 9-7 |
| 2001 | 1-3 | 7-9 |
| 2000 | 1-2 | 10-6 |
| 1999 | 2-2 | 3-13 |
Total Pre-season Record: 17-23 (.425)
Total Regular Season Record: 73-87 (.456)
As we all probably imagined, pre-season records don't seem to make a damn bit of difference on the outcome of the subsequent season. The two most sucessful seasons in recent Saints history, 2000 and 2006, were both preceded by only one win in pre-season. But so too was the miserable vagabond season of 2005 when the Saints finished with only three wins, though some factors were beyond their control. And a look at the two best pre-season records, in 2002 and 2007, reveals that they have led to only middling regular season records, 9-7 and 7-9 respectively. Over the course of time, however, the Saints mediocre pre-season record does accurately predict their typical regular season fate: Middle of the road.
So don't get too excited if the Saints go on a tear the next few weeks, though the team has never gone undefeated in the pre-season so no precedent has been set. Likewise, don't worry if they fail to win another pre-season game. In fact, just keep your fingers crossed and hope everyone makes it through without injury.
Make sure to be here tonight for the open game thread, starting at 6:30pm Central. Yours truly will be there.