SDSaint

Hello There,

I am just as disappointed as everyone else about this loss but consider the game as a measuring stick of where the team is right now and where we could be headed. The loss is similar to the Denver game where it has been observed that the team is not quite there in the upper ranks of the NFL but there is still some promise that we may yet overcome every obstacle and make it into the playoffs considering the overall situation.

The team has come a long way from 0-4, then 2-5 to where the current record stands at 5-6. Today, we faced a vastly superior defense that made two scoring plays against our offense, so credit is due to the opposition. It did not help that we are down to the bone at the right tackle spot in consecutive weeks where the replacement was thrown into the fire.

The defense gave up many big plays and although it may have helped our chances if the 9 minute drive in the 4th quarter was stopped much earlier, you can see that they did not give up and held them to a field goal. The defense held the opposition to 17 points, so they held their end of the bargain as far as I am concerned.

Even with this loss and 5 more games to go, the season is far from over. In the unlikely but possible case that the team runs the table and goes on a 5-game winning streak, the team is playoff bound. However, even with another loss, we could still sneak in at 9-7.

Our main competition for the last Wild Card spot are as follows:

- Minnesota
- Seattle
- Tampa Bay
- Washington
- New York

There was significant help today with MIN, SEA and TAM losing.

Minnesota and Seattle face a very tough schedule. Minnesota faces formidable Chicago, Green Bay twice and Houston. Seattle has two road games at Chicago and Buffalo, and one more against San Francisco. Seattle may have to play their remaining games without their top two cornerbacks due to the PED infraction. I doubt that Minnesota and Tampa Bay could end up at 9-7.

Tampa Bay must face Denver and Atlanta as well as the Saints as visitors. We must win out against Tampa Bay for the tiebreaker should the teams end up with 9-7 records.

It gets a bit interesting with Washington who is in a similar situation as the Saints. New York currently has the lead in the NFC East but there is a possibility that Washington may win out and could end up with the same record at 9-7 along with New York and win their division. In this scenario, the Redskins and Giants would go to the dance and we would be out even with the same 9-7 record due to the head to head losses. It would be wise to cheer on New York when Washington visits them next week to avoid this situation.

So, it would be OK if we lose another game, there is still a good chance that we make the playoffs. It is preferable to lose against Atlanta more than the Giants but we must take care of business when Tampa Bay visits and win those games that we should at Dallas and against Carolina.

The odds are against us but I like still our chances (even if we lose one more game). Playing the Giants at their home worries me a bit but recall what happened last year and it does not seem like teams are getting their revenge this year.

San Diego Saint

jnormand

Thank you. Always nice to see the post of someone with sound logic and a little bit of optimism.

I agree. We still have a good shot.

Rugby Saint II

As Payton would say "But do you love it?"

WillSaints81

Does anyone believe 4 more days rest makes a difference? Especially when the opponent has one less day than usual? Thats how I feel we can beat the giants. The rest we get.

I believe if we can win Thursday night, we could still go 10-6 and also possibly end Atlanta's chance at the 1 seed. Chicago could win out or lose 1 more(cards). Falcons will lose to giants and the lions game will be close. If we lose, we have to root for the bears to win Sunday and giants to win Monday. If giants lose, they could end up 9-7 and redskins could win division but if this happens giants have a tendency to beat themselves even against non-playoff contenders. I think giants and redskins could have problems with the eagles. And who knows, vikings could win this week and hurt maybe GB's chances. I think this week things will be more clearer as this is a big week.

QBREES9

I Believe !

xan

You missed Dallas. They're 5-6 as well, and ahead of us right now in the hunt for the last playoff spot. That means we have to have help from 6 teams to make it.

Don't rule out Seattle. We'd lose against them in a 10-6 or 9-7 battle as well.

QBREES9

Dallas. I've lost money on them. I hate Dallas

WillSaints81

We do not lose in a tiebreaker against Seattle unless they lose to Buffalo and beat SF or Chicago. My guess is they beat Arizona, Buffalo, and St.Louis for certain. And the bears and 49ers games can go either way. If they lose in Buffalo, then they are certainly capable of losing in Chicago and would have to win out their last three home games. Dallas? We have to play them, we can't win that? They beat us in a upset in 09 due to no one giving them a chance and other saints fans thinking before the game it was an easy win. Also, there's the Payton conspiracy.

AsylumGuido

I'm ruling out Seattle. They just lost their two starting CB's to a four game suspension. I can see them doing better than 3-2 in their last five.

I feel good about our chances. Very good.

Beastmode

Seattle is done. Those were not scrub CB's. As for our chances, crazier things have happened. Defintely not a hopeless situation. The defense continues to improve. A healthy dose of Ivory and Brees on time and on target from here on out I could see it. Let's just hope the apex of the season is not beating Atlanta one time.