December to be crucial for Saints
 

The New Orleans Saints are quite proud, as well they should, of buzzing through their November schedule undefeated for a third straight season with 11 consecutive wins to show for it.

Playing well in that month, of course, bodes well for teams that are preparing to make a final push to the NFL playoffs in December.

That’s the next goal for the 8-3 Saints, who soar into the final month of the season with a narrow one-game edge over the Atlanta Falcons in the race for the NFC South title - which would be a third for Sean Payton in six seasons with the team.

Starting with Sunday night’s matchup with the Detroit Lions in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the Saints will play four vitally important games in December before their regular-season finale on New Years’ Day.

As good as they have been in November though, the Saints have been only so-so under Payton in December. They are 13-10 in that month with last season’s 3-1 mark being the best of his first five seasons.

The Falcons, on the other hand, are 8-4 in December under coach Mike Smith.

How each team plays over the next three weeks could determine if a Dec. 26 showdown in the Superdome goes down and how it affects the division as well as the wild-card race.

Read more.
December to be crucial for Saints | Saints | The Advocate

Screw the Falcons, we have to keep winning to catch San Fran. Catch the niners then beat down the Falcons at home, then let Green Bay worry about stopping the Saint train.

I couldn't have said it better myself. That second seed is the goal. The bye week, the guarantee of not having to see the Packers until the NFCCG, and not having to travel the week before are all crucial.

It's simply not a given that the 49ers will roll through all the rest of the NFC West. We've already seen what the Rams can do to a good team. The SeaHawks didn't look bad last night. The 9ners still have 3 division games away from home, against 3 teams that would like to do nothing more than spoil their seeding. And there's still the game against Pittsburgh. 2-3 for them down the stretch isn't out of the question.

Seeking the 2nd seed serves the Saints ultimate goal better than worrying about a team who gets stuffed 4th and 1 at home when the division is on the line.

SFIAH

One thing I'm most excited about is our health. We're looking real good across the board with players being healthy. As you all know, being healthy in DEC / JAN bodes well for any team.

Hear that Caddie? Were looking forward, not at the rear view mirror. Get used to seeing our tail lights!

One game at a time people. We are not in anything yet. 1 win Sunday,2 win next Sunday, 3 win the Sunday after that, and so on and so on. With a little luck San Fran loses and the Falcons get destoyer. I would love to get the #2 seed, he!! the #1 but if we don't win one game at a time it will be all for nothing. I'll take the #6 seed just for the chance to be in it. Were not there yet either.