After we beat the Falcons tomorrow night...
 

What do we do in Week 17???

We have choices?!

I DO NOT want to hear about resting starters. We have work to do.

And we are not getting any help.

Alaska*

I agree - I see no help on the horizon.

However, I think I would watch the scoreboard on the Rams-49ers and pull the starters if it gets out of hand.


However, doubt that would happen because :

1) The NFL is thinking about flexing our game (after 49ers - Rams game)
2) San Fran doesn't seem to blow many people out

Saints played starters last year against Tampa in the hopes of Panthers beating Atlanta and giving the Saints the NFC South title.

As a result, Jimmy Graham and Malcolm Jenkins were injuried and unavailable for the playoff game against the seachickens.

Saints should play starters for a half and get as big a lead as they can and after halftime play the second string

Get the Brees passing record out the way.
Wrap up NFC South.

Then
Offense: switch out the 2 starting RBs for the other 2, that sort of thing so that all players are in a competitive mood going into the playoffs.
Defense: keep them in with mixing up their 2011 GW cover the end zone defense and their how we used to play defense to clarify the respective advantages before the playoffs.

WHODAT has some really valid points. IN a meaningless game (which it may be) we need to play smart & Plan for the playoffs!!

If they flex our game that would be great, that would make Paytons decision a lot easier, I would at least start them no matter of what the outcome. If the 49ers lose it's a no brainer. We still need to take care of our buisness at hand " The Dirty Birds", then see how it goes. I want this game to clinch tht NFC South really bad, I never want the Falcons to have anything on our Saints but a loss.

You play full throttle as long as you have a chance. Unless the 49ers are ahead by a unsurmountable lead you play all your starters and play to win. If that happens then you pull all starters and put scrubs in but maybe give back up running backs some reps as well as some of our back up linebackers. I would hate for the 49ers to be ahead by 3 points and see us resting.

Play the starters and leave them in unless the Niners are blowing out the Rams.

I thought I heard that the Failcone game for week 17 has already been flexed, and that there was talk of flexing ours. I think we play the starters until we are sure the Rams are laying down for the whiners.

Keep the rhythm, play to win.

Injuries can happen anytime anywhere.

Pretty easy decision here. Looks like no matter what, the Saints will need to keep the starters going in week 17. If the Falcons beat the Saints tonight, then the Saints will go into week 17 with a division title on the line. If the Saints beat the Falcons, they still have to go all out in week 17 with hope the Rams upset the 49ers.

We can forget about getting flexed helping us decide.

Only way we get to play after the 9ers is to lose tonight. No thanks...

New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina kickoff time could get changed next week - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

Payton has rested the starters in the past (06, 09), so I think that's what we'll see, especially since we could potentialy end up playing 6 days later.

According to NFL.com we could have nothing to play for next week, because

"If the season ended today...

... the Saints would have a first-round bye. They can make that official Monday night with a win over the Falcons."

Someone has more information than I do ...

Anyway, I want them to play for win #13 and rest the starters only when they're up by 30 points.

The question is, how do you know you will beat the Falcons? What makes this a definitive statement?

From what I can tell, the Saints/Falcons games usually come down to a field goal.

Gotta have faith, rookie...

Saints-Falcons
 

The Falcons are gonna get their revenge for their Week 10 loss...

Monday Night Matchup: Falcons vs. Saints : The XLog

NFC South Champs 31 Wildcard Falcons 21

I do. But in the other team.

Ask Guido to tell you who I am :D

I'm just gonna wait till after the game tonight. I really don't want to look past the Falcons. As far as I'm concerned, the playoffs start tonight.

What WhoDat said is a risk.
That is a risk every game.

I agree with Alasks and arsaint.Saitns have got to play from here on as if it were that SB against the Colts.

No other team is thinking about resting starters or being laxed now.
This is not preseason, but post season.
Play starters.
Play hard.
Pay smart.
Play new plays.

Go Sants!

Yes, figured that. :D

It will be a close game, but I can't see the Falcons winning this one.

Since the Falcons already clinched a spot with a Bears loss last night, I don't see them playing with as much fire as they would have needing to win to make the playoffs.

Close for three quarters, then Brees puts away Marino and the Falcons!