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NFC Playoff Contenders' Corner (...Saints barely on "Life Support")

Well, WhoDat Nation… our beloved Saints have a pulse, but the fat lady is clearing her throat. There are a number of things that are necessary for the Saints to miraculously make the postseason, but it DOES NOT look good. The 0-4 start may be too deep a hole to dig out of… but we will see in the next 3 weeks. After this weekend, we’ll either be put out of our misery, or we’ll go through another week of angst and nail-biting. With that, let’s take a look at the playoff picture in the NFC:

Thursday December 13th

Week 15, Game 1: Bengals (7-6) @ Eagles (4-9)

a. Why is it important: Meaningless game; no NFC playoff implications.

Sunday December 16th

Week 15, Game 2: Giants (8-5) @ Falcons (11-2)

a.. Why it is important: Falcons still striving to secure the #1 seed in the playoffs.
b.. Desired outcome: Pull for the Giants to lose. Falcons looking to avenge the embarrassing loss in the playoffs to the Giants. Should be a hard-hitting game. Giants trying to hold off the Redskins & Cowboys for the NFC East crown.
c.. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5.5 out of 10

Week 15, Game 3: Broncos (10-3) @ Ravens (9-4)

N/A: AFC opponents (…but this game has strong implications for 1st round bye in AFC).

Week 15, Game 4: Packers (9-4) @ Bears (8-5)

a.. Why it is important: Saints’ slim playoff hopes hinge on many things, but the more important would be the Bears losing all three of their remaining games.
b.. Desired outcome: Pull for the Packers.
c.. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 6 out of 10

Week 15, Game 5: Redskins (7-6) @ Browns (5-8)

a.. Why it is important: Redskins own the tiebreaker with the Saints, and are also two full games ahead in the standings.
b.. Desired outcome: Pull for the Browns. The Browns have “quietly” won their last three games, and are an up & coming team. They also play very well at home. RG3 is nursing a knee injury, and will not likely be as big a running threat this week.
c.. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4.5 out of 10

Week 15, Game 6: Colts (9-4) @ Texans (11-2)

N/A: AFC opponents (…but should be a good game)

Week 15, Game 7:

a.. Why it is important: Jaguars (2-11) @ Dolphins (5-8)
N/A: AFC opponents (Reggie is 209 yds. short of 1000). No Saints RB has reached 500 yds. yet.

Week 15, Game 8: Buccaneers (6-7) @ Saints (5-8)

a.. Why it is important: Saints’ thin playoff hopes are on life support.
b.. Desired outcome: WhoDat!
c.. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5.5 out of 10

Week 15, Game 9: Vikings (7-6) @ Rams (6-6-1)

a.. Why it is important: Both teams are ahead of the Saints in the standings.
b.. Desired outcome: Tie??? Either team winning or losing helps/hurts the Saints. Pray that the right team wins, given the remaining games this season!
c.. Confidence factor for a good outcome: I honestly have no idea. The Rams have been playing well lately, but are due for a letdown. I say the Vikings may “steal” this one.

Week 15, Game 10: Lions (4-9) @ Cardinals (4-9)

a.. Why it is important: Meaningless game; no NFC playoff implications.

Week 15, Game 11: Seahawks (8-5) @ Bills (5-8)

a.. Why it is important: Seahawks ahead of the Saints in the standings.
b.. Desired outcome: Hope for the Seahawks to have a meltdown, which is about as likely as a baseball player hitting for the cycle. It’s NOT likely, but you never know. Plus, the Seahawks may have a letdown after that blowout win + they are on the road.
c.. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4 out of 10 (I wouldn’t be surprised if this game was fairly close). Turnovers may play into the final outcome.

Week 15, Game 12: Panthers (4-9) @ Chargers (5-8)
a.. Why it is important: Meaningless game; no NFC playoff implications.

Week 15, Game 13: Steelers (7-6) @ Cowboys (7-6)

a.. Why it is important: Cowboys ahead of the Saints in the standings.
b.. Desired outcome: Pull for the Steelers. Steelers fighting for their playoff life in the AFC.
c.. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5.5 out of 10

Week 15, Game 14: Chiefs (2-11) @ Raiders (3-10)

N/A: AFC opponents

Week 15, Game 15: 49’ers (9-3-1) @ Patriots (10-3)

a.. Why it is important: 49’ers still have the Seahawks breathing down their necks. In the UNLIKELY event the Saints make the playoffs, we’d want the Falcons to hold the #1 seed.
b.. Desired outcome: Pull for the Patriots. This should be a very good game.
c.. Confidence factor for a good outcome: Patriots just beat a very good Texans’ team, and have their sights on a first round bye (and possible #1 seed).

Monday December 16th (Monday Night Football)

Week 15, Game 16: Jets (6-7) @ Titans (4-9)

N/A: AFC opponents

News from Enemy Camps (Week15):

NFC South Leader (Falcons): Atlanta Falcons Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

NFC East Leader (Giants): New York Giants Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

NFC North Leader (Packers): Green Bay Packers Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

NFC West Leader: (49’ers): San Francisco 49ers Rumors: Pro Sports Daily