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.

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?

SmashMouth · 08-22-2013, 12:06 PM

The Five Reasons You Need

SP
DB
SP
DB
SP & DB

73Saint · 08-22-2013, 04:21 PM

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

saintsfan1976 · 08-22-2013, 04:27 PM

Just win baby

The Dude · 08-22-2013, 09:26 PM

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

westbankdaze · 08-22-2013, 10:42 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 · 08-22-2013, 11:14 PM

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.

westbankdaze · 08-23-2013, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by The Dude

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.

Yes and the other factor is injuries. I'm assuming my win number based on a healthy a squad. It could be worse; we have the third worst schedule in the league this year.

08-22-2013, 03:09 PM	#1
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.

08-23-2013, 09:10 PM	#2
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	#3
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 19,059	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?

08-22-2013, 12:06 PM	#4
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 39,214 Blog Entries: 29	Re: 5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC The Five Reasons You Need SP DB SP DB SP & DB homerj07 and roberth04 like this.

08-22-2013, 04:21 PM	#5
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, 04:27 PM	#6
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 11,090 Blog Entries: 3	Re: 5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC Just win baby

08-22-2013, 09:26 PM	#7
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,075	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, 10:42 PM	#8
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

08-22-2013, 11:14 PM	#9
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,075	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: 9,075

08-23-2013, 06:54 PM	#10
westbankdaze 500th Post Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 843	5 Reasons the Saints are the Team to Beat in the NFC Originally Posted by The Dude 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. Yes and the other factor is injuries. I'm assuming my win number based on a healthy a squad. It could be worse; we have the third worst schedule in the league this year.
westbankdaze 500th Post Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 843

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