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

Full Story:http://www.footballnation.com/conten...eat-nfc/21384/
By: Gary Jordan

The wholesome image of the New Orleans Saints was damaged severely with the "Bountygate" scandal. They were the team that rose steadily from perennial losers to big-time playoff winners.

It really was a feel good story. On the backdrop of what had happened to the city and the surrounding area after Hurricane Katrina, they finally reached the summit, only for that Super Bowl-winning season to have a big black cloud over it.

Now, the League has lifted all of it's suspensions and the team will look to bounce back.

And 2012 they had the worst possible start but almost salvaged the season.
This coming year will be a big challenge, both on and off the field, as they look to shake off what happened during the scandal, and the bitter feeling it left behind.

No doubting they still have a lot of talent, so here are five reasons why the Saints will be the team to watch in 2013, and could well turn out to be the ones to beat.

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

Let's see here:
1. The season hasn't started so every NFC team is the team to beat.
2. The season hasn't started so every NFC team is the team to beat.
3. The season hasn't started so every NFC team is the team to beat......

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

Not necessarily.

NFC should arguably be the toughest division in the NFL again but you can already see who's looking sharp.

SAINTS!!

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

Stopped reading at the K-word

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

Atlanta is going to be ready for us but I think resistance is futile. This team is going to play mad this year and we are going to shock a lot of people. I think 11 wins is very realistic as long as the defense contnues to improve we may even do better.

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

Recap...
Brees
Graham
Payton
Ryan
Schedule?

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

I was with him all the way until the favorable schedule. It looks pretty darn gruesome to me!!

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

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

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

The Five Reasons You Need

SP
DB
SP
DB
SP & DB

:itsgood:

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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!!

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

Just win baby

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Lets just start the damn season already.

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

As the good book says, "Iron sharpens iron." I'd rather be challenged by the best and become excellent than to work against the average and hope to become above-average.

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

1. TheOak says so.


Feel free to reproduce in part or in whole where ever you need to. It can also be replicated multiple times to confirm to any length of list.

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

That's the past...

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

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

So you are saying we go 16-0?