You can’t evaluate every “drive afterward” without using the “what if’s” in your scenario. The actual plays are historically accurate. The game actually did happen a certain way, and that way was a 30-20 loss with the Saints committing four turnovers. EVERYTHING else is a “what if”.

Ok, but by that logic, the fact that 4 TOs happened has no more impact than the fact Harris got hurt than the fact the game happened on Sunday.

When I said “EVERYTHING else” is a “what if”. I was very specifically referring to you stating: “I could go on evaluating what happened every drive...”. I wasn’t referring to everything else in the entire universe is a “what if”. I was very specially stating that you “...evaluating what happened every drive...” would necessitate a “what if”. Why? Because the game is already in the books.

1) Both team played on Sunday, in exactly the same conditions.

2) Both teams played the exact same game, and were given the exact same opportunity for injuries.

3) Both teams were afforded the same playtime, roughly. 31:31 for the Bucs, and 28:29 for the Saints. One team committed four turnovers in that time period.

Three completely different entities there. Trying to compare turnover margin, which is quantitatively defined, to whether a game is played on any particular day is nonsensical to me, and not anything close resembling what I was trying to say.

My friend, we’ve hijacked this thread..., it’s my hope we can let it revert back to the topic at hand? The release of E.Sanders. My apologies folks.

When I said “EVERYTHING else” is a “what if”. I was very specifically referring to you stating: “I could go on evaluating what happened every drive...”. I wasn’t referring to everything else in the entire universe is a “what if”. I was very specially stating that you “...evaluating what happened every drive...” would necessitate a “what if”. Why? Because the game is already in the books.

1) Both team played on Sunday, in exactly the same conditions.

2) Both teams played the exact same game, and were given the exact same opportunity for injuries.

3) Both teams were afforded the same playtime, roughly. 31:31 for the Bucs, and 28:29 for the Saints. One team committed four turnovers in that time period.

Three completely different entities there. Trying to compare turnover margin, which is quantitatively defined, to whether a game is played on any particular day is nonsensical to me, and not anything close resembling what I was trying to say.

My friend, we’ve hijacked this thread..., it’s my hope we can let it revert back to the topic at hand? The release of E.Sanders. My apologies folks.

Both teams entered the game with their QB dealing with a torn rotator cuff.

Both teams entered the game with a starting QB still dealing with the aftereffects of eleven rib fractures.

Both teams entered the game with their backup QB who went 3-1 during the season out due to injury.

Both teams entered the game with their second leading yards from scrimmage player out due to injury.

Oh, wait! They didn't, did they? Nevermind.

On 12/07/2020 at exactly 8:40am you made the following statement, while we were discussing Drew Brees’ injuries and if he was healthy enough to play:

“That makes no sense. If he is healed, he is healthy. He should be as healthy as he was prior to the first game of the season with the rest.”

You went on and on and on about how there were specific protocols in place to ensure that a player isn’t being started when he is seriously injured, claiming multiple levels of protection.

So I was wrong. Or not totally right. Brees was obviously able to play, but affected by injuries. As did and was Michael Thomas. But what does that have to do with the Saints coming into the game dealing with several significant injuries which you seem to totally dismiss as being no factor in the loss? I don't get your point.

ALL teams INCLUDING Tampa Bay had injuries. Let’s look at a final injury report for that game:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl...go/ar-BB1cNmyQ

Neither Brady, nor Brees were on that list, Godwin was but CGM wasn’t, but clearly all four were hampered by injuries. Bottom line, both team’s were beat up. All teams at that time of the year are, it’s the exception to the rule, the extremely rare exception, to find a starter who isn’t beat the heck up when going into wild card/divisional/championship weekend. Heck Tom Brady had knee surgery immediately following the season’s end.

Jared Cook was listed on that injury report. Do you believe he deserves a break for his fumble bc of a back issue? Many here intimate that Cook is responsible for the Saints loss, as the game swung on that fumble, so to speak. While simultaneously ignoring the first turnover of the game, the Drew Brees int that wound up on our own 4 yard line. Followed very quickly (4 seconds of game time later) by a TB TD.

I don’t understand the distinction. Why does Cook get the blame..., while DB#9 gets a “pass”. Turnovers, all four of them combined, were the deciding factor.