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

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.

08-22-2013, 03:09 PM	#11
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,759	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.

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