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Important week; we start the 2nd quarter of the season. Let's take a look at the games that mean something to the Saints:

Week 5, Game 1: Rams beat the (previously unbeaten) Cardinals earlier this week.

Week 5, Game 2: Eagles @ Steelers
a. Why it is important: Eagles are a conference rival.
b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Steelers. Eagles are 3-1, and lead the NFC East. Steelers are 1-2, are playing at home, and coming off a BYE. Pittsburgh should be ready to take it to the Eagles, but should be a very competitive game!
c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5.5 out of 10

Week 5, Game 3: Packers @ Colts
a. Why it is important: Packers are a conference rival, and own the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Saints.
b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Colts. Packers just played (and won) an emotional game vs. the Saints. Colts are still rebuilding, but may catch the Packers napping.
c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4 out of 10

Week 5, Game 4: Browns @ Giants
a. Why it is important: Giants are a conference rival.
b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Browns. Giants are 2-2, and in the thick of the race for the NFC East crown. They will be fired up, but may not take the Browns seriously enough (…let’s hope this is the case).
c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 2.5 out of 10

Week 5, Game 5: Falcons @ Redskins
a. Why it is important: Both are conference rivals, but Falcons are a DIVISION rival.
b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Redskins. Atlanta has gotten maximum mileage out of turnovers and their passing game. Washington has been in 3 of 4 of their games, and may be versatile enough to pull off the upset at home. However, Atlanta’s large wideouts (Roddy White & Julio Jones) will make it difficult for the ‘Skins to hold the Falcons’ air game down… unless they can get pressure on Matt Ryan. RG3 may pose problems for the Falcons with his versatility. If Washington gets up early, Atlanta may become one-dimensional. We hope this is the game the Falcons stumble and fall… and begin a losing streak.
c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4 out of 10

Week 5, Game 6: Dolphins @ Bengals
N/A: AFC game

Week 5, Game 7: Ravens @ Chiefs
N/A: AFC Game

Week 5, Game 8: Seahawks @ Panthers
a. Why it is important: Both teams are conference rivals; Panthers are a DIVISION rival, and currently have the edge in their head-to-head win earlier this season.
b. Desired outcome: This should be an interesting game. The Cardinals, Seahawks, 49’ers and Rams have more victories outside of their division than any other (in either conference). All teams are improved, and their interdivision PARITY will likely have only one team (division winner) in the playoffs. Pull for the Seahawks.
c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 6 out of 10

Week 5, Game 9: Bears @ Jaguars
a. Why it is important: Bears are a conference rival.
b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Jaguars. Jacksonville is only averaging 15.5 ppg, while giving up 24 ppg. Their record is 1-3, and they are unraveling at the seams. Hope for an upset!
c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 1.5 out of 10

Week 5, Game 10: Broncos @ Patriots
N/A: AFC Game

Week 5, Game 11: Bills @ 49’ers
a. Why it is important: 49’ers are a conference rival.
b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Bills. The Bills have the NFL’s 2012 rushing leader, but that will be challenged this week vs. the stout 49’ers defense. San Francisco is among the top teams in the conference, and the Bills will have to bring their best effort this year in order to emerge with a victory. Turnovers could play into the outcome of this one; let’s hope it’s in the Bills’ favor.
c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4 out of 10

Week 5, Game 12: Titans @ Vikings
a. Why it is important: Vikings are a conference rival
b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Titans. The Vikings are one of the surprise teams in 2012. Ponder has developed rapidly, Vikings’ wideouts are playing huge, and their running game must be respected, which has contributed to the success of the passing game. Tennessee may not have enough octane to match the Vikings in this one. Let’s hope for the upset anyway.
c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 3.5 out of 10

Week 5, Game 13: Chargers @ Saints (*****SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL; NATIONAL AUDIENCE*****)
a. Why it is important: Saints are getting close to each game being “MUST WIN.” This is not the case this week, but the game is very important for a number of reasons: a) national audience, b) Saints need to log their first win of the season, c) the BYE week is next week, d) Drew Brees looks to break a long-standing record by surpassing Johnny Unitas’ streak of throwing a TD pass in 47 consecutive games (Brees TIED that last week vs. the Packers). The Chargers are a very good team, and dismantled the Chiefs with six, repeat, SIX takeaways in the first half last week. And while Philip Rivers has not set the league on fire (about 240 passing ypg), he has gotten the job done. This game will also be interesting for Robert Meachem’s return to the Dome (in the Bolts’ uniform), as well as Brees & Sproles going against their former team. This is Darren Sproles’ FIRST opportunity to play against his former team. Don’t be surprised if he “GOES OFF” and ends up player of the game!
b. Desired outcome: Duh!
c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 9 out of 10 I see the Saints winning this one going away for a variety of reasons. I see a double-digit victory for the Black & Gold. Who Dat!

Monday October 8th (MNF)
Week 5, Game 13: Texans @ Jets
N/A: AFC Game

UK_WhoDat

Nice wrap Stealthman

Halo

Always well written, different, and informative.
LOVE IT! Thanks!

|Mitch|

Very Cool! Great information all in one article! Makes it a lot easier to know what games mean what at a single glance!

D_it_up

Nice breakdown. If we can pull out a win this week, hopefully our boys will gain some of their confidence back and go on a nice little run for a wild-card spot. The NFC is beating each other up right now and even the 5-0 Falcons look vulnerable. There is no clear cut dominant team that I am seeing. Still too early to throw in the towel, but the comeback has to start with a win tonight!

Halo

Hey, even in '07 we started 0-4 and ripped off 4 straight wins.

I think this team is good enough, playing at the level we did last week against the Pack, to rips some games off right now, starting with the Chargers.

Did you know that the Saints are one of the only teams to ever have an 0-4 record and be favored against another team with a winning record? Chargers are 3-1 and the Saints are favored by 3 tonight.

Stealthman

For a good reason.

Somehow, the Bolts may run into a buzzsaw tonight.