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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

skymike

I thought we were eliminated.

Stealthman

With six NFC losses, the Saints are still mathematically alive. But the odds are not good.



Check out this matrix:

NFL Playoff Picture - CBSSports.com Wildcard Race

lynwood

Good Grief

arsaint

All but mathematically eliminated (less than 1% chance of playoffs) and eliminated if any of these happens:

Saints Elimination Options

Danno

So theres still a chance?

Yeah baby!!!!

Stealthman

For all the "scoffers" out there: I did not write the article to give a false sense of hope. I just reported it as realistically as I could. If you read it again, you'll see that I mentioned SEVERAL times that the odds are heavily weighted for the Saints to be eliminated.

It is what it is.

Budsdrinker

No yet but very close. We need to win out, Bears, Skins and Rams lose out, Cowgirls lose 2 and Vikings lose 2. Simple right?

WillSaints81

I don't think bears are losing out they win this week, just look at how the trends have played out with bears/packers since 2003 its been sweep 1 year then split. I hope maybe that changes but I doubt it.

QBREES9

We still have a shot ! Well alrighty then