Saints predicted to win division
 

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

Well, that's bold.
-Carolina won more games last year than we did the prev two combined
-despite our poor record, we do not have an easy schedule
-our defense has more question marks than The Riddler's costume
-Carolina has beaten us 4 of 5, and is 9-3 in the division over two years

We'll see

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

Pretty stiff schedule
New Orleans Saints 2016 Schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME (CT) TV
PRESEASON
Thu, Aug. 11 at Patriots 6:30 pm *FOX
Sat, Aug. 20 at Texans 7 pm *FOX
Fri, Aug. 26 vs Steelers 7 pm *FOX
Thu, Sept. 1 vs Ravens 7 pm *FOX
REG. SEASON
Sun, Sept. 11 vs Raiders Noon FOX
Sun, Sept. 18 at Giants Noon FOX
Mon, Sept. 26 vs Falcons
7:30 pm CT
ESPN
Sun, Oct. 2 at Chargers 3:25 pm CT FOX
BYE
Sun, Oct. 16 vs Panthers Noon FOX
Sun, Oct. 23 at Chiefs Noon FOX
Sun, Oct. 30 vs Seahawks
Noon FOX
Sun, Nov. 6 at 49ers 3:05 pm FOX
Sun, Nov. 13 vs Broncos
Noon CBS
Thu, Nov. 17 at Panthers 7:25 pm NBC/NFN
Sun, Nov. 27 vs Rams Noon FOX
Sun, Dec. 4 vs Lions
Noon FOX
Sun, Dec. 11 at Buccaneers Noon FOX
Sun, Dec. 18 at Cardinals 3:05 pm FOX
Sat, Dec. 24 vs Buccaneers Noon FOX
Sun, Jan. 1 at Falcons Noon FOX

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

Preseason is a pretty good test with the Texans and their D and Pittsburg to. The O-line will get a good test and we'll get to see how our D looks.

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

:roflmao:

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

But it should also be pointed out that Carolina went from 7-8 to 15-1 in a single season with basically the same team

I think we are quite capable of a similar turnaround.

Carolina lost a lot more talent than they added.

We added a lot more talent than we lost, and most of our returning players are only in their 2nd or 3rd seasons.

On paper we closed the gap, or may have even surpassed Carolina. Yeah, I know its just on paper so put a sock in it. We ALL know its only on paper right now.

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

Let's see what these new coaches can teach the boys and see how big an improvement we make on defense.

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

Exactly my thoughts. They were ready to run Rivera out on a rail just two years ago.

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

I like that he picks ATL to finish last

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

can't argue with any of these points, And Car has tough schedule too

I just don't think we've improved by 4 and they have dropped by 4 games.
Hopefully the two head-to-heads will be the deciding factor

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

But Scott, did you think the 7 win Panthers would improve by 8 games?

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

good point.
very good point

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

Is this based on training camp so far?

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

The important thing is if this defense is what it is and Fleener and Thomas make a big difference, then getting out of the first two weeks 2-0 could get us undefeated going into perhaps KC and if we win that we might just be 9-0 going into Carolina week 11.

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

Health will be one of the biggest factors.
Losing the blind side OT would be huge.
Losing the best pass rusher for 3-4 weeks can kill overall performance.
Not even going to mention the unmentionable.
Key players during key stretches during the season can change everything.
I hope we can stay healthy enough to maintain some consistency.
Resting players is none thing.
Having to extend the number of plays because
we can't afford the drop-off to 3rd tier guy gets old.
Just average defense will give us 3 more wins.
The head-to-head matchup with Carolina could make the difference.

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

Bold indeed. If the saints won that early game in Carolina I still believe that would have changed the saints mind set and the season would have ended different. A win like that for young team without Drew would have been a key confidence boost. Carolina season started to roll with that win.

As for the panthers? I am not ready to call Cam the Come Back of the 2010's. Last years season was a story of last minute come backs for the offense. The defense is good enough to close out a game as usual in 2010s.

But I have little faith in last years improved play by Cam in his accuracy. Last year was either a fluke or he has turned the corner.

I am sticking with FLUKE

Cam will not win as many games as last year with end of game drives.

The number of games the defense won at the end will not be as many either. That is just a tall order

That is an additional 3 to 4 loses right there.

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

Can we play a game before we even start to think that.

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

Basically the same thing I say every year. It seems the only way that Sean Payton-led teams do well, is by jumping out in front early in the season, and then stepping on the gas the rest of the way. This business of winning one, losing one, winning two, losing two, up and down, hot and cold, muddling through the season, flying on a wing and a prayer....those type of years just seem to never work out well for the Sean Payton-era Saints. If you look at the years where they have been strongest in the post season, it has almost always been a dominant, solid first half of the year, first ten games, that sets the tone and builds a foundation for later success.

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

Just can't shake that Vegas line. o/u 6 1/2... That's insane in my mind.

Yes we added more talent but how many changes in one season is too many?

We still have Streif - a year older. We still have Lelito - meh.

Our receivers are still relatively inexperienced beyond Cooks who is a #2 WR playing #1.

And as pointed out earlier many many question marks on Defense.

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

I predicted the Saints win the division every year. I've been right a few times.

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

This is why it is so important to win divisional games. I guess I just stated the obvious.

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

I need to go to Vegas. That's frickin' insane.

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

Yes there are but ... as bad (we were pretty atrocious) on defense, we still won 7 games. All we need to do in 2016 is to improve marginally and it could get interesting. What we have seen and read over the last 10 days is how guys are "flying, colliding, attacking, swarming & wanting to prove themselves" on defense. I sense a different culture, different vibe, different attitude. How you practice is how you play. When I circle back to 2015 pre season, it didn't have that same feeling and energy. The penalty machine (#39) is gone and so is Rob Ryan.

76', hop on board brother :bng:. There is still room on the Who Dat train!

Re: Saints predicted to win division
 

Are you going to bet the farm?