gumbeau

Since the Saints are in the playoffs and most of the denizens of this board appear to be suicidal with grief I thought I would post a few possible playoff scenarios.

The Minnesota Complete Collapse Scenario

Minnesota manages to lose the last two games. Saints have the 1 seed and rest up and lose to Carolina. Arizona beats Green Bay and Dallas beats Philly. Arizona gets the 2 seed and Minnesota falls to 4 seed. Wild Card weekend sees Philly at Vikings and Packers at Dallas. No way the Saints see Dallas before the NFCCC in this scenario. Saints would play Green Bay if they beat Dallas or the winner of Philly/Minny if Dallas beat Green Bay in the Wildcard round.

Variations on this theme 1. Philly beats Dallas in Week 17 to get the 2 seed. Arizona beats Green Bay to get the 3 seed. Wildcard round. Dallas at Arizona and Green Bay at Minnesota. Dallas would travel to New Orleans with a win or the Saints would get the winner of Minny/Green bay if Arizona wins in the wildcard round.

Variations on this theme 2. Dallas beats Philly in Week 17 to get the 2 seed if Green Bay beats Arizona. Wildcard round. Philly at Minnesota and Green Bay at Arizona. Philly would travel to New Orleans with a win or the Saints would get the winner of Green Bay/Arizona if Minnesota wins in the wildcard round.

The Minnesota Less than complete Collapse Scenario

Minnesota manages to lose one of the last two games. Saints have the 1 seed. Philly can get the 2 seed with a victory over Dallas. Dallas would then play Minnesota and Green Bay would play Arizona. If Dallas wins next week Minny would stay at 2 seed and Dallas would play Philly and Green Bay would play Arizona 2 weeks in a row.

The New Orleans Saints Complete Collapse (A Black and Gold Favorite at the moment)

Minnesota wins out. Saints lose to Carolina. Dallas plays Philly two weeks in a row. Arizona plays Green Bay two weeks in a row. Only difference from above is Saints would have to travel to Minnesota IF Minnesota wins in the divisional round.

In the end, the Saints will play one of five teams in the divisional round of the playoffs. Arizona, Green Bay, Dallas, Philly or Minnesota no matter what happens next week. The worst possible outcome is the Saints have to travel to Minnesota after winning in the divisional round if Minnesota also advances. For this to happen Minnesota has to win 2 games and the Saints have to lose to Carolina. The best possible outcome is the Saints don't have to travel for the NFCCC. (Assuming the Saints manage to win the divisional playoff game, of course)

I don't really care which way it goes. I'd hate for the Saints to play Carolina like it was the Superbowl and get all banged up just to avoid a possible trip to Minneapolis. Homefield would be nice but it isn't a guarantee of a Superbowl.

cargojon

I think if Dallas wins next week and Minny loses their next 2, Dallas gets the bye week, not Arizona.

arsaint

Cowboys still do have a chance at #2, but Cardinals would have to drop a game, too...

Cowboys Clinching Options

gumbeau

If Arizona beats Green Bay and Dallas wins at Philly they are both 11-5.

They did not play head to head.

Conference record would be the same.

Common opponents would be the next tiebreaker.

Common games are Seattle, Giants, Green Bay and Carolina

Arizona against those 4 would be 4-1

Dallas is 2-3.

Unless I am missing something Arizona would be the 2 seed.

If Arizona lost to Green Bay Dallas would get it.

cargojon

You guys are right. Zona could still get it. They didn't mention that last night during the Dallas game, and probably should have.

NFL - Playoff Scenario Generator- Yahoo! Sports