5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC

Utah_Saint · 08-22-2013, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

But we only play 6 teams that had winning records last year.

Yes, that's usually how it works. In a 16 game schedule 5 games against good teams and only one against a poor team is a tougher than average schedule.

We play 5 games against good teams (3 wins over .500), 9 more against mediocre teams (+ or - 2 games from .500) and 1 against a bad team ( 3 under .500)

for a combined record of 137-113-2 or a .539 winning percentage.

On the other end of the spectrum...

The combined record for the teams that the Broncos play this year was 110-146 for a .430 winning percentage.

So I agree with 73Saint, that it doesn't look like this schedule is any advantage.

Danno · 08-22-2013, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Utah_Saint

Yes, that's usually how it works. In a 16 game schedule 5 games against good teams and only one against a poor team is a tougher than average schedule.

We play 5 games against good teams (3 wins over .500), 9 more against mediocre teams (+ or - 2 games from .500) and 1 against a bad team ( 3 under .500)

for a combined record of 137-113-2 or a .539 winning percentage.

On the other end of the spectrum...

The combined record for the teams that the Broncos play this year was 110-146 for a .430 winning percentage.

So I agree with 73Saint, that it doesn't look like this schedule is any advantage.

My point was the overall records don't mean as much as whether they're considered a good team. A couple 12 win teams can skew the strength of schedule way upward. An anomaly like the 2012 Saints gives Atlanta an easier strength of shedule (we add 14 wins and 18 losses to their SOS), but we all know our 7-9 record is grossly misleading. I'm sure there are plenty others that are dubious.

Chicago, Indianapolis, and Minnesota all had double digit wins. I'm pretty sure we're a better team than all of them and we finished 7-9. I doubt any of those 3 teams win 10 games.

Its not an easy schedule, but I wouldn't say its all that tough either. Atlanta also plays 5 teams with winning records, but that does not include the two games against us. And make no mistake, we are the two toughest games Atlanta will have all year.

Rugby Saint II · 08-22-2013, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

My point was the overall records don't mean as much as whether they're considered a good team. A couple 12 win teams can skew the strength of schedule way upward. An anomaly like the 2012 Saints gives Atlanta an easier strength of shedule (we add 14 wins and 18 losses to their SOS), but we all know our 7-9 record is grossly misleading. I'm sure there are plenty others that are dubious.

Chicago, Indianapolis, and Minnesota all had double digit wins. I'm pretty sure we're a better team than all of them and we finished 7-9. I doubt any of those 3 teams win 10 games.

Its not an easy schedule, but I wouldn't say its all that tough either. Atlanta also plays 5 teams with winning records, but that does not include the two games against us. And make no mistake, we are the two toughest games Atlanta will have all year.

This is definitely the place for all things Saints. Thanks for sharing!

73Saint · 08-22-2013, 05:21 PM

True Dat! I love this site. We have by far the most insightful Saints fans anywhere!!

saintsfan1976 · 08-22-2013, 05:27 PM

Just win baby

Utah_Saint · 08-22-2013, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

My point was the overall records don't mean as much as whether they're considered a good team. A couple 12 win teams can skew the strength of schedule way upward. An anomaly like the 2012 Saints gives Atlanta an easier strength of shedule (we add 14 wins and 18 losses to their SOS), but we all know our 7-9 record is grossly misleading. I'm sure there are plenty others that are dubious.

Chicago, Indianapolis, and Minnesota all had double digit wins. I'm pretty sure we're a better team than all of them and we finished 7-9. I doubt any of those 3 teams win 10 games.

Its not an easy schedule, but I wouldn't say its all that tough either. Atlanta also plays 5 teams with winning records, but that does not include the two games against us. And make no mistake, we are the two toughest games Atlanta will have all year.

It's hard to honestly say that the 7-9 record was misleading. The defense was a record breaking mess and the offense seemed to check out of games for whole quarters at a time. The Saints even lost to the 2-14 Chiefs at home.

I don't know that many people besides Saints fans would agree that the Saints were better than the 11-5 Colts or the 10-6 Bears and Vikings. The Saints only beat one team with a winning record last year, and that was a division rival, at home, and by less than a touchdown. (it was sweet though)

And the question was whether the schedule was one of the reasons the Saints were the team to beat in the NFC South this season. Just my opinion, but I don't think there's any way we can objectively say that the schedule actually helps the Saints.

The Dude · 08-22-2013, 10:26 PM

1. Falcons blow
2. Bucs blow
3. Panthers blow
4. Falcons blow
5. Saints don't

westbankdaze · 08-22-2013, 11:42 PM

I'm thinking 10-6 record at best. I caveat that if our defense steps up but our schedule is really tough and I can easily see 6 losses. Seahawks, 49ers, Atlanta once, panthers once, Chicago, St. Louis.

On top of that we still have to face Dallas and New England.

It's going to be rough. I hope our D is ready.

The Dude · 08-23-2013, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by westbankdaze

I'm thinking 10-6 record at best. I caveat that if our defense steps up but our schedule is really tough and I can easily see 6 losses. Seahawks, 49ers, Atlanta once, panthers once, Chicago, St. Louis.

On top of that we still have to face Dallas and New England.

It's going to be rough. I hope our D is ready.

Thats where I have us pegged. I think 10-6 is a fair assumption until they really show us something. Yes having Payton back will give us a couple more wins than last year, but our schedule is more brutal.
Could go one more game either way depending on Defense.
I do not think 10-6 is going to get us into the playoffs.

SaintnDE · 08-23-2013, 07:18 AM

I am hoping for another 13-3 season, but this schedule is not very forgiving. We have a very rough November (if I remember the schedule correctly) stretch. I really wish we had a couple of those games earlier with fresher bodies, but it is what it is. I think a 10-6 is more realistic...but I have my "bet" on 13-3 with my buds.

08-22-2013, 03:52 PM	#11
Utah_Saint Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 3,521	Re: 5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC Originally Posted by Danno But we only play 6 teams that had winning records last year. Yes, that's usually how it works. In a 16 game schedule 5 games against good teams and only one against a poor team is a tougher than average schedule. We play 5 games against good teams (3 wins over .500), 9 more against mediocre teams (+ or - 2 games from .500) and 1 against a bad team ( 3 under .500) for a combined record of 137-113-2 or a .539 winning percentage. On the other end of the spectrum... The combined record for the teams that the Broncos play this year was 110-146 for a .430 winning percentage. So I agree with 73Saint, that it doesn't look like this schedule is any advantage.

08-22-2013, 04:09 PM	#12
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720	Re: 5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC Originally Posted by Utah_Saint Yes, that's usually how it works. In a 16 game schedule 5 games against good teams and only one against a poor team is a tougher than average schedule. We play 5 games against good teams (3 wins over .500), 9 more against mediocre teams (+ or - 2 games from .500) and 1 against a bad team ( 3 under .500) for a combined record of 137-113-2 or a .539 winning percentage. On the other end of the spectrum... The combined record for the teams that the Broncos play this year was 110-146 for a .430 winning percentage. So I agree with 73Saint, that it doesn't look like this schedule is any advantage. My point was the overall records don't mean as much as whether they're considered a good team. A couple 12 win teams can skew the strength of schedule way upward. An anomaly like the 2012 Saints gives Atlanta an easier strength of shedule (we add 14 wins and 18 losses to their SOS), but we all know our 7-9 record is grossly misleading. I'm sure there are plenty others that are dubious. Chicago, Indianapolis, and Minnesota all had double digit wins. I'm pretty sure we're a better team than all of them and we finished 7-9. I doubt any of those 3 teams win 10 games. Its not an easy schedule, but I wouldn't say its all that tough either. Atlanta also plays 5 teams with winning records, but that does not include the two games against us. And make no mistake, we are the two toughest games Atlanta will have all year. SmashMouth likes this.

08-22-2013, 04:53 PM	#13
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	Re: 5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC Originally Posted by Danno My point was the overall records don't mean as much as whether they're considered a good team. A couple 12 win teams can skew the strength of schedule way upward. An anomaly like the 2012 Saints gives Atlanta an easier strength of shedule (we add 14 wins and 18 losses to their SOS), but we all know our 7-9 record is grossly misleading. I'm sure there are plenty others that are dubious. Chicago, Indianapolis, and Minnesota all had double digit wins. I'm pretty sure we're a better team than all of them and we finished 7-9. I doubt any of those 3 teams win 10 games. Its not an easy schedule, but I wouldn't say its all that tough either. Atlanta also plays 5 teams with winning records, but that does not include the two games against us. And make no mistake, we are the two toughest games Atlanta will have all year. This is definitely the place for all things Saints. Thanks for sharing! 73Saint likes this.

08-22-2013, 05:21 PM	#14
73Saint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NOLA Posts: 2,336	Re: 5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC True Dat! I love this site. We have by far the most insightful Saints fans anywhere!!

08-22-2013, 05:27 PM	#15
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,832 Blog Entries: 3	Re: 5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC Just win baby

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08-22-2013, 06:53 PM	#16
Utah_Saint Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 3,521	Re: 5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC Originally Posted by Danno My point was the overall records don't mean as much as whether they're considered a good team. A couple 12 win teams can skew the strength of schedule way upward. An anomaly like the 2012 Saints gives Atlanta an easier strength of shedule (we add 14 wins and 18 losses to their SOS), but we all know our 7-9 record is grossly misleading. I'm sure there are plenty others that are dubious. Chicago, Indianapolis, and Minnesota all had double digit wins. I'm pretty sure we're a better team than all of them and we finished 7-9. I doubt any of those 3 teams win 10 games. Its not an easy schedule, but I wouldn't say its all that tough either. Atlanta also plays 5 teams with winning records, but that does not include the two games against us. And make no mistake, we are the two toughest games Atlanta will have all year. It's hard to honestly say that the 7-9 record was misleading. The defense was a record breaking mess and the offense seemed to check out of games for whole quarters at a time. The Saints even lost to the 2-14 Chiefs at home. I don't know that many people besides Saints fans would agree that the Saints were better than the 11-5 Colts or the 10-6 Bears and Vikings. The Saints only beat one team with a winning record last year, and that was a division rival, at home, and by less than a touchdown. (it was sweet though) And the question was whether the schedule was one of the reasons the Saints were the team to beat in the NFC South this season. Just my opinion, but I don't think there's any way we can objectively say that the schedule actually helps the Saints.

08-22-2013, 10:26 PM	#17
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,048	Re: 5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC 1. Falcons blow 2. Bucs blow 3. Panthers blow 4. Falcons blow 5. Saints don't
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08-22-2013, 11:42 PM	#18
westbankdaze 500th Post Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 843	Re: 5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC I'm thinking 10-6 record at best. I caveat that if our defense steps up but our schedule is really tough and I can easily see 6 losses. Seahawks, 49ers, Atlanta once, panthers once, Chicago, St. Louis. On top of that we still have to face Dallas and New England. It's going to be rough. I hope our D is ready.
westbankdaze 500th Post Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 843

08-23-2013, 12:14 AM	#19
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,048	Re: 5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC Originally Posted by westbankdaze I'm thinking 10-6 record at best. I caveat that if our defense steps up but our schedule is really tough and I can easily see 6 losses. Seahawks, 49ers, Atlanta once, panthers once, Chicago, St. Louis. On top of that we still have to face Dallas and New England. It's going to be rough. I hope our D is ready. Thats where I have us pegged. I think 10-6 is a fair assumption until they really show us something. Yes having Payton back will give us a couple more wins than last year, but our schedule is more brutal. Could go one more game either way depending on Defense. I do not think 10-6 is going to get us into the playoffs.
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,048

08-23-2013, 07:18 AM	#20
SaintnDE 100th Post Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 443	Re: 5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC I am hoping for another 13-3 season, but this schedule is not very forgiving. We have a very rough November (if I remember the schedule correctly) stretch. I really wish we had a couple of those games earlier with fresher bodies, but it is what it is. I think a 10-6 is more realistic...but I have my "bet" on 13-3 with my buds.
SaintnDE 100th Post Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 443

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