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

Danno · 08-22-2013, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Utah_Saint

You're right. Based on last years records, the Saints have the third hardest schedule this year.

Team-by-team strength of schedule for 2013 - NFL.com

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

Utah_Saint · 08-22-2013, 02:52 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, 03:09 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, 03:53 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!

Utah_Saint · 08-22-2013, 05:53 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.

jeanpierre · 08-23-2013, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

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

That's the past...

Fortunes, teams turn around on a dime every season - rate the schedule when the season is over...

TheOak · 08-24-2013, 06:49 AM

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

That's the past...

Fortunes, teams turn around on a dime every season - rate the schedule when the season is over...

So you are saying we go 16-0?

08-22-2013, 12:31 PM	#1
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,751	Re: 5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC Originally Posted by Utah_Saint You're right. Based on last years records, the Saints have the third hardest schedule this year. Team-by-team strength of schedule for 2013 - NFL.com But we only play 6 teams that had winning records last year.

08-22-2013, 02:52 PM	#2
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, 03:09 PM	#3
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,751	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, 03:53 PM	#4
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,133	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, 05:53 PM	#5
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.

08-23-2013, 09:10 PM	#6
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	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. That's the past... Fortunes, teams turn around on a dime every season - rate the schedule when the season is over...

08-24-2013, 06:49 AM	#7
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 19,043	Re: 5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC Originally Posted by jeanpierre That's the past... Fortunes, teams turn around on a dime every season - rate the schedule when the season is over... So you are saying we go 16-0?

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