Opinion: Saints' schedule sets up beautifully for big run

04-20-2011, 08:02 PM

Bradley Handwerger / WWLTV.com Sports Writer

-- Analysis --

So, it has been more than 12 hours since the release of the NFL schedules and I’ve had a little time to chew on the Saints’ schedule (along with a shrimp po-boy).

First, the interesting quirks in the schedule.

The Saints don’t leave the continental U.S’. eastern portion, going no farther West than Green Bay, Wisconsin. Indeed, all 16 games are in either the Eastern time zone or Central time zone. You may remember the last time this happened – 2009, the Saints’ Super Bowl-winning season.

Nine of the final 10 games will played in domed stadiums, including six in the Superdome. The Saints also go to St. Louis, Minnesota and Atlanta in this stretch. The only outdoor game is at Tennessee on Dec. 11 and Nashville in early December isn’t exactly the frozen tundra.

The Saints close out the final six games after the bye week with four at home. If New Orleans is in prime position to win the division or attain home-field advantage, that sets up perfectly.

Of the road games outside of the division, the toughest one, at least on paper, comes in the opener when the Saints travel to reigning Super Bowl champions. The Rams, Jags, Titans and Vikings don’t strike the fear in people that the Packers do, especially considering that Thursday night game at Green Bay is a banner-hanging night.

Indeed, the Saints schedule is set up nicely for New Orleans to do big things.

Full game breakdowns below
Opinion: Saints' schedule sets up beautifully for big run | New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | wwltv.com | Eye on Black and Gold

exiled · 04-21-2011, 03:10 AM

good article - thank for keeping me posted in an easy to digest off season check in.

st thomas · 04-21-2011, 12:23 PM

i hope green bay's hangover starts early.

Mardigras9 · 04-22-2011, 05:24 PM

We need to get off to a faster start than we did last year to be the front-runner in the division. Providing the players-owners can split the profits in a manner acceptable to all involved. They are both in danger of going hungry on the pennies they make already.

Rugby Saint II · 04-22-2011, 08:23 PM

I have mixed feelings on this schedule. I think it's too early to predict wins and losses. We have the fortune of having a stable team going into next season. Training camp or not.

Memnoch_TP · 04-23-2011, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II

I have mixed feelings on this schedule. I think it's too early to predict wins and losses. We have the fortune of having a stable team going into next season. Training camp or not.

It is NEVER too early to predict wins and losses. Saints go 14-2, sweep the division, and win the Super Bowl!

How can it be too early to predict that?!?

SmashMouth · 04-23-2011, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by st thomas

i hope green bay's hangover starts early.

It will ... early and often!

Danno · 04-23-2011, 01:01 PM

On paper, this looks like the toughest schedule we've had since Payton took over.

SmashMouth · 04-27-2011, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Danno

On paper, this looks like the toughest schedule we've had since Payton took over.

Maybe ever .... but you have to play the best to be the best!

foreverfan · 04-27-2011, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by SmashMouth

Maybe ever .... but you have to play the best to be the best!

Where did you go to school again? One more time... You have to beat the best to be the best.

04-20-2011, 08:02 PM	#1
Threaded by papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,753 Rating: (0 votes - average) Bradley Handwerger / WWLTV.com Sports Writer -- Analysis -- So, it has been more than 12 hours since the release of the NFL schedules and I’ve had a little time to chew on the Saints’ schedule (along with a shrimp po-boy). First, the interesting quirks in the schedule. The Saints don’t leave the continental U.S’. eastern portion, going no farther West than Green Bay, Wisconsin. Indeed, all 16 games are in either the Eastern time zone or Central time zone. You may remember the last time this happened – 2009, the Saints’ Super Bowl-winning season. Nine of the final 10 games will played in domed stadiums, including six in the Superdome. The Saints also go to St. Louis, Minnesota and Atlanta in this stretch. The only outdoor game is at Tennessee on Dec. 11 and Nashville in early December isn’t exactly the frozen tundra. The Saints close out the final six games after the bye week with four at home. If New Orleans is in prime position to win the division or attain home-field advantage, that sets up perfectly. Of the road games outside of the division, the toughest one, at least on paper, comes in the opener when the Saints travel to reigning Super Bowl champions. The Rams, Jags, Titans and Vikings don’t strike the fear in people that the Packers do, especially considering that Thursday night game at Green Bay is a banner-hanging night. Indeed, the Saints schedule is set up nicely for New Orleans to do big things. Full game breakdowns below Opinion: Saints' schedule sets up beautifully for big run \| New Orleans News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather \| wwltv.com \| Eye on Black and Gold Last edited by papz; 12-24-2011 at 07:46 PM..
Views: 1397

04-23-2011, 02:23 AM	#6
Memnoch_TP Logic Troll Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Southern Louisiana Posts: 565	Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II I have mixed feelings on this schedule. I think it's too early to predict wins and losses. We have the fortune of having a stable team going into next season. Training camp or not. It is NEVER too early to predict wins and losses. Saints go 14-2, sweep the division, and win the Super Bowl! How can it be too early to predict that?!?

04-23-2011, 08:29 AM	#7
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,200 Blog Entries: 29	Originally Posted by st thomas i hope green bay's hangover starts early. It will ... early and often!

04-27-2011, 11:00 AM	#9
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,200 Blog Entries: 29	Originally Posted by Danno On paper, this looks like the toughest schedule we've had since Payton took over. Maybe ever .... but you have to play the best to be the best!

04-27-2011, 07:05 PM	#10
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	Originally Posted by SmashMouth Maybe ever .... but you have to play the best to be the best! Where did you go to school again? One more time... You have to beat the best to be the best.
	Last edited by foreverfan; 04-27-2011 at 07:09 PM..

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04-21-2011, 03:10 AM	#2
exiled Site Donor Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: on the road - now based in Austin, TX Posts: 483	good article - thank for keeping me posted in an easy to digest off season check in.

04-21-2011, 12:23 PM	#3
st thomas Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: lafayette Posts: 7,753	i hope green bay's hangover starts early.

04-22-2011, 05:24 PM	#4
Mardigras9 Site Donor 2015 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Land Mass between LA and AL Posts: 4,375	We need to get off to a faster start than we did last year to be the front-runner in the division. Providing the players-owners can split the profits in a manner acceptable to all involved. They are both in danger of going hungry on the pennies they make already.

04-22-2011, 08:23 PM	#5
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,073	I have mixed feelings on this schedule. I think it's too early to predict wins and losses. We have the fortune of having a stable team going into next season. Training camp or not.

04-23-2011, 01:01 PM	#8
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	On paper, this looks like the toughest schedule we've had since Payton took over.