New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Stealthman 2013 NFC CONTENDERS' CORNER (Playoff Contenders' Info) Week 6

And then there were three. As usual, early in NFL seasons, more and more teams drop from the ranks of the UNBEATEN. Last week, the Seahawks and Patriots suffered their first loss of the season, and the Broncos survived a furious offensive output by the Cowboys, and came away with a 51-48 win in Big D.

So that leaves the Saints, Broncos, and the surprising Kansas City Chiefs as the three teams that have unblemished records. Obviously, your New Orleans Saints are the lone NFC team with a perfect 5-0 record. Can I get a WhoDat?!?! With that, let’s consider the games that have an impact on the 2013 NFC standings:

Week 6 Bye teams: Falcons, Dolphins.

Thursday October 10rd

Week 6, Game 1: Giants (0-5) @ Bears (3-2)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Saints already have a game up on the Bears with their win at Chicago last week. But given the fact that the Giants are already 0-5, we want the Bears to slide further back this week. Somehow, I think the Bears will be the victim of an upset.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Giants. Oddly enough, BOTH teams are still within striking distance of the division lead. The Lions are 3-2 atop the NFC North, and the Cowboys are 2-3 atop the NFC East. This should be a fierce, hard-hitting game. Again, I think the Giants will show up for this one, in an upset special (…let’s hope so)!

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Bears by 8.

Sunday October 6th

Week 6, Game 2: Packers (2-2)@ Ravens (3-2)

a. Why it is important: Packers are an NFC rival, and in a dogfight in the NFC North. This game has playoff implications for both teams. Ravens are tough at home.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Ravens.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: Even.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Packers by 3.

Week 6, Game 3: Bengals (3-2) @ Bills (2-3)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Bengals by 7- ½.

Week 6, Game 4: Lions (3-1) @ Browns (1-2)

a. Why it is important: Lions are an NFC rival, atop the NFC North. Lions are not as good on the road as they are at home. This is the Lions’ second consecutive road game; both on natural turf. Even so, the Lions’ front four are dangerous and disruptive. Offensively the Lions are tough to defend, and Reggie Bush has been nearly impossible to matchup when he is in the role of receiver.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Browns (…easy choice when it is an interconference matchup).

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Lions by 3.

Week 6, Game 5: Rams (2-3) @ Texans (2-3)

a. Why it is important: Rams are an NFC rival. Texans should have their A-game and mojo going for this one.

b. Desired outcome: Interconference opponents are an easy pick. Pull for the Texans.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 7.5 out of 10. N/A:

d. Vegas odds on this game: Texans by 7- ½.

Week 6, Game 6: Panthers (1-3) @ Vikings (1-3)

a. Why it is important: Both Teams are NFC rivals; Panthers are also an NFC South rival. Panthers have been a team that you don’t know what you’ll get week-after-week. One week, they destroyed the Giants 38-0. Last Sunday, they struggled to get 6 points, and shot themselves in the foot throughout the game. Vikings won their first game of the season last week, and are back at home this week. Oh, yeah… the Vikings now have Josh Freeman (from the Bucs) on their roster. Christian Ponder is recovering from an injury, and Matt Cassel is the starter.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Vikings.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5.5 out of 10.

d.Vegas odds on this game: Vikings by 2- ½.

Week 6, Game 7: Raiders (2-3) @ Chiefs (5-0)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Chiefs by 8.

Week 6, Game 8: Steelers (0-4) @ Jets (3-2)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Jets by 2- ½.

Week 6, Game 9: Eagles (2-3) @ Buccaneers (0-4)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC Rivals; Bucs are also an NFC South rival.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Bucs. Yes, the Bucs are a division rival, but let’s see the Eagles slide one more game this week.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Eagles by 1- ½.

Week 6, Game 10: Jaguars (0-5) @ Broncos (5-0)

N/A: AFC opponents. Wouldn’t this be a weird game for the Broncos to lose their perfect record? Buddy D. would certainly say: “Take the Jaguars and the points.” The oddsmakers have given the Jags too many points. This is Jacksonville’s Super Bowl (…mark it down)!

Vegas odds on this game: Broncos by 27- ½.

Week 6, Game 11: Titans (4-0) @ Seahawks (2-2)

a. Why it is important: Seahawks are an NFC rival, and sit atop the NFC West with a 4-1 record. It’s still early, but should the Seahawks slip up this week while the Saints win at New England, the Saints would have an early cushion in the homefield advantage race. Again, it’s too early to look hard at this, but it will start becoming important after the midway point (Week 9).

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Titans.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4 out 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Seahawks by 13- ½.

Week 6, Game 12: Saints (5-0) @ Patriots (4-1)

a. Why it is important: Saints want to keep the winning streak going, and move closer to a playoff berth. Belichick and Brady remember the embarrassing loss in the Superdome in 2009, and they will pull all the stops. Sean Payton and his coaching staff will also do some serious strategic game planning.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Saints. WhoDat!

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 5.5 out of 10

d. Vegas odds on this game: Patriots by 1- ½.

Week 6, Game 13: Cardinals (3-2) @ 49’ers (3-2)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Saints already own the tiebreaker with the Cardinals.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Cardinals.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 3.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: 49’ers by 11- ½.

(SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL)

Week 6, Game 14: Redskins (1-3) @ Cowboys (2-3)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Cowboys just lost a heartbreaker vs. the Broncos last week (48-51). The Cowboys and Redskins have a storied and long rivalry. This game should be interesting. Don’t forget: RG3 has a modest fan base in Texas, being that he is a graduate of Baylor.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Redskins.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Cowboys by 6- ½.

Monday October 14th

Week 6, Game 15: Colts (2-2) @ Chargers (1-3)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Colts by 2.

News from Enemy Camps (Week 5):

Saints’ next opponent:
(Patriots): New England Patriots Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

NFC East Leaders:
(Cowboys): Dallas Cowboys Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

NFC North Leaders
(Bears): Chicago Bears Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

NFC West Leaders:
(Seahawks): Seattle Seahawks Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily