Originally Posted by Boston Saint (Post 914627)

I get it and understand/and agree with what his meaning is. But saying you make your own luck implies that everything on the field is within your control. That simply is not true and there is an element of injuries or bad calls or weather conditions that fall into this category of “luck” that can’t be controlled. Sure the effort put forth by the players and coaches is the most important thing. But IMO it’s unrealistic (almost arrogant) to think that when going up against another, quality playoff team like Tampa this year or the Rams a few years ago that you can be and perform that much better than the other team that you can take getting screwed by the refs or having an in game injury out of the equation.

Another case in point was the playoff game at the Niners back in 2011 where Pierre Thomas took a head hit, fumbled and Niners got ball deep and scored in first quarter. Thomas is out for game, saints down 7-0 in a game we end up losing by less than a score on a last minute drive. Now, I call it bad luck that Thomas took a borderline dirty hit and left the game. I think this really hurt the Saints in the game. Could they have still won if say, Shanle does anything to stop Vernon Davis...sure they could (and should have). But that doesn’t change the bad luck of having Thomas knocked out just like it was bad luck Harris got knocked out against Tampa just like it was bad luck the refs didn’t call against the Rams. There was nothing the Saints did or didn’t do to make the luck that happened on those plays. But that’s just how I feel.

Originally Posted by dizzle88 (Post 914579)

I agree on the injury and reffing front in terms of in the playoffs and vs KC. However, regardless of our Injury Status, I've seen this team come out flat in 4 straight playoff exits.

The playoff saints are a different team. Everything we do well during the regular season, inexplicably becomes a weakness in the playoffs and they look like they don't want to be there. No fire at all.

Originally Posted by Boston Saint (Post 914627)

I get it and understand/and agree with what his meaning is. But saying you make your own luck implies that everything on the field is within your control. That simply is not true and there is an element of injuries or bad calls or weather conditions that fall into this category of “luck” that can’t be controlled. Sure the effort put forth by the players and coaches is the most important thing. But IMO it’s unrealistic (almost arrogant) to think that when going up against another, quality playoff team like Tampa this year or the Rams a few years ago that you can be and perform that much better than the other team that you can take getting screwed by the refs or having an in game injury out of the equation.

Another case in point was the playoff game at the Niners back in 2011 where Pierre Thomas took a head hit, fumbled and Niners got ball deep and scored in first quarter. Thomas is out for game, saints down 7-0 in a game we end up losing by less than a score on a last minute drive. Now, I call it bad luck that Thomas took a borderline dirty hit and left the game. I think this really hurt the Saints in the game. Could they have still won if say, Shanle does anything to stop Vernon Davis...sure they could (and should have). But that doesn’t change the bad luck of having Thomas knocked out just like it was bad luck Harris got knocked out against Tampa just like it was bad luck the refs didn’t call against the Rams. There was nothing the Saints did or didn’t do to make the luck that happened on those plays. But that’s just how I feel.

Originally Posted by saintsfan1976 (Post 914629)

2010 Seattle blindsided us

2011 We spanked the Lions then SF speared Pierre, no flag, we couldn't cover the tight end and basically last team with the ball won.

2013 beat a good eagles team ON THE ROAD then lost by one score to the very good seahawks ON THE ROAD

2017. Last play fluke of historic proportion to an epic defense ON THE ROAD

2018. Rams. yes, the no call but we didn't finish them off

2019. you have an argument here. sloppy but we were missing key starters. credit minnesota's game plan

2020. we handle the bears like we should. Tampa comes in healthy, we're not. We make all the mistakes possible and give the game away from the beginning. Credit tampa's game plan.

So i don't think the saints are "different" in the playoffs. They've won and lost close games.

Originally Posted by dizzle88 (Post 914632)

I think they are extremely different in the playoffs.

We have consistently been a low turnover offense, yet the playoffs come and they turn it over 4 times.

We consistently score redzone TD's in the regular season, yet settle for FG's in the playoffs and let teams hang around.

I see what you are saying, but all I really see are excuses for a team that has never lived up to its potential.

Good teams tackle Diggs in bounds.
Good teams score TD's and don't let the refs miss a call that decides the game.
And good teams do not only barely win against the Eagles in 2018 and Bears in 2020.

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 914633)

Guess we're not a good team. Oh, well.

Originally Posted by dizzle88 (Post 914634)

As I said earlier, in the regular season yes, in the playoffs absolutely not.

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 914635)

Every team in the playoffs are "good teams". Some happen to be "gooder" on any given day, however.

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 914633)

Guess we're not a good team. Oh, well.

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II (Post 914631)

Good points. The ball did bounce our way a lot in 2009. But, I still believe that You have to be in the right place for good things to happen.