xan

In order for the Saints to win the Division, the following needs to happen:

Saints' 5-6

vs TB -- Win by 18 -- 6-6
at AT -- Win by 1 -- 7-6
vs AZ -- Win by 8 -- 8-6
vs PH -- Win by 1 -- 9-6
at CH -- Win by 1 -- 10-6

Prediction: 10-6 (9-3 Conference, 4-2 Division, 5-0 Common with Minn, 7-5 Common with TB, 5-0 Common with NYG)

TB 7-4

at NO -- Lose by 18 -- 7-5
at HO -- Lose by 14 -- 7-6
vs AT -- Lose by 1 -- 7-7
at SF -- Win by 20 -- 8-6
vs CP -- Win by 1 -- 9-6

TB must lose at least 3 of their next games in order for the Saints to take the Division outright, but could lose to TB and still win it if TB loses the other 4 games. Highly unlikely. The most likely scenario is that the Saints and TB tie at 10-6, but because TB is likely to beat ATL, the Saints would lose the divisional tiebreaker. The Saints have to have a LOT of help in order to win the division, including help from either the Falcons or the Panthers.

Prediction: 10-6 (9-3 Conference, 5-1 Division, 1-1 Head, 9-3 Common)


As it relates to a Wild Card,

NYG 7-4

@ Chicago - L
@ Philly - L
vs Washington -W
@ Buff -W
vs NE -L
Prediction: 9-7 (6-6 Conference, 3-3 Conference, 3-2 Common with Saints)

Minnesota has given a blueprint on how to beat the G-men. Look for the Bears to do the same as will Philly. Without Kiwanuka, their pass rush is average and the offense is banged up. Washington may be done, but Buffalo is no sure win and the finale against NE seems like it could be another loss.

Philly 5-6

vs. Seattle - W
vs Giants - W
@ Dallas - L
@ NO - L
vs Buffalo - W

Prediction - 8-8
The loss to Dallas will essentially end their post season hopes. On the road again against the Saints, the Eagles will fall again due to hangover and because the Saints will use the same techniques to beat them that the Cowboys did.

Washington 5-6

vs Buffalo - L
vs Chicago - W
@ Giants - L
@ Minnesota - L
vs. Dallas - L

Prediction: 6-10

Bad fortune has visited this team, and the loss this weekend against Buffalo essentially ends their season. We're definitely cheering for the Skins because any win afterward would benefit the Saints.

Minnesota 5-6

vs Detroit - W
@ SF - W
vs Chicago - W
vs Washington - W
@ Denver - W

Prediction: 10-6 Playoffs (7-5 in conference, 3-3 Division, 4-1 Common)

This is going to be the hottest and the most dangerous team going into the playoffs. Their defense will shut down the dubious offenses left on their schedules. While Detroit and Denver appear to be tough, the Vikings have the personnel and schemes to shut each down.

Detroit 6-5

@ Minnesota - L
vs Dallas - L
@ San Diego - W
vs. KC - W
@ GB - L

Prediction: 8-8

With Dallas and GB desperate for home field advantage and each of the teams on their schedule playoff contenders, Detroit is going to be lucky to pull out a win against any of the teams. They'll win 2 but not 4 of their next 5 games.

Arizona 5-6

vs Cleveland - L
@ Seattle - L
@ NO - L
vs Atlanta - W
vs St L - L

Prediction: 6-10
Cleveland and Seattle blow up AZ's season by the time they show up in the Dome. Pride may give way to prevent injury, and only a win against ATL will be the hiccup in the teams' race for Scottsdale tee times.

The Saints will wind up being the 1st wild card, playing against Tampa Bay in Tampa as the Bucs finish 10-6 and beat out the Saints due to the tiebreaks

Seattle will finish 12-4 and play Minnesota


It should be noted that even with a loss against another team, the Saints could still make the playoffs, however it would come down to tiebreaks and it might not favor the Saints unless it's against the Giants. Each of the teams listed would have to perform as noted at best.

Calvin: "I wish I was a Tiger."
Hobbes: "Common lament."

papz

Talking about playoffs possibilities... I like this much better.

WhoDat205

Post of the week. Well done Professor Crab.

A few thoughts:

The 49ers are frisky. While it wouldn't help the Saints as much as a Falcons win, I'd figure they have a better shot at taking the Bucs down.

The G-men are folding up fast. After a predictable 4-pick outing from Eli when it counted, I look for the curse of Tiki to kick in and the NYG to lose out.

I don't see Minny winning at San Fran and at Denver.

JOESAM2002

I'd think it'd be a lot more fun talking about playoff possibilities than talking about how terrible we are. But what do i know. I'm just a scared old man.

Saintsfan4ever

see my thread " 5 games left... " that's my reply.

JOESAM2002

All I know is that we need some help, lots of help. It can happen, but we need lots of help.

GO GET 'EM SAINTS!!!!!!

LongTimeFan

Win out and we're in, it's that simple, or is it?
It's unlikely the Saints will win out but you just never know how things can turn out..

IMO 9-7 gives you a chance at a WC in the NFC, 10-6 and the Saints are in.

xan

Because we only play TB and AZ down the stretch, we can't affect teams like the Giants, Minnesota, Detroit or Washington. Each can independently finish 10-6 or better, and the Saints could lose out of a playoff slot.

10-6 is not a guarrantee.

But I like our chances of winning the 1st round matchup if we do make the playoffs!

NEXTPROBOWLER

i think saints and vikes get the wildcard spots

hagan714

zan to the rescue!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bring on Tampa, beat them and I will start looking at playoffs.