New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Stealthman 2013 NFC CONTENDERS' CORNER (Playoff Contenders' Info) Week 10

If you are disappointed over the loss to the Jets last week, don’t say “Oh, me…” Instead, say “Who Dat!” We are into the second half of the season, and the focus for every team (depending on their W-L record) is now on one of two “P-s:” Playoffs, or Picks (in the draft).

The Panthers are in the thick of things because of their slam-dunking the Falcons last week. Make no mistake about it, each and every game is important. And if you think some are GIMMIE games, just look back to the Dolphins upset win over the Bengals (who were considered one of the best if not THE best in the AFC).

The Saints still control their own destiny. It is not improbable that they win-out from here on. They have had long winning streaks before. If the Saints close the season with wins, they will own homefield advantage throughout the playoffs with a 14-2 record. Easy? No freaking way is it easy. Possible? You better believe it. And should the Saints win the next two at home (vs. the Cowboys and 49’ers), they will be 8-2 heading into the game vs. the Seahawks on the road.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves: It’s time to take things a week at a time. That’s the only way to ensure you give your best effort each week. All who are still on the Black and Gold train, gimme a WhoDat! Let’s look at the games that will impact the NFC standings going into Week 10:

Week 10 Bye teams (4 AFC): Browns, Chiefs, Jets, Patriots.

Thursday November 7th

Week 10, Game 1: Redskins (3-5) @ Vikings (1-7)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Neither appears to be in a position to make a serious postseason run, but their loss totals have them still in contention mathematically. For this reason, pull for the team with the higher number in the LOSS column.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Vikings.

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

d. Vegas odds on this game: Redskins by 2.

Sunday November 10th

Week 10, Game 2: Eagles (4-5) @ Packers (5-3)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Packers just received a devastating blow when QB Aaron Rodgers was injured (fractured collar bone). The Packers are playing at home, but might be shaken enough to be vulnerable to the visiting Eagles (who got a big lift when QB Nick Foles tossed an NFL-tying record 7 TD’s last week. Eagles are a roller coaster team, and you never know which version will show up on any given week.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Eagles. Given the two teams’ W-L records, it is to the Saints’ advantage when you have a front runner slide back a bit in the standings.

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

d. Vegas odds on this game: Packers by 9- ½.

Week 10, Game 3: Jaguars (0-8) @ Titans (4-4)

N/A: AFC teams. (Possible Upset Special: Jags will likely cover the points in this one).

Vegas odds on this game: Titans by 13- ½.

Week 10, Game 4: Bills (3-6 ) @ Steelers (2-6)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Steelers by 3.

Week 10, Game 5: Raiders (3-5) @ Giants (2-6)

a. Why it is important: Giants are an NFC rival, and usually get hotter and hotter with each passing week after the midpoint. Giants are still not out of it (only 2- ½ games behind the Cowboys in the loss column), and could close to within a game and a half of the cowboys with a win vs. the Raiders along with a Saints’ win vs. Dallas on Sunday night. Giants are going to be focused at keeping their playoff hopes alive.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Raiders (…easy pick, since this is an interconference game).

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

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

Week 10, Game 6: Rams (3-6) @ Colts (6-3)

a. Why it is important: Rams are an NFC rival.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Colts (interconference game).

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 7 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Colts by 11- ½.

Week 10, Game 7: Seahawks (8-1) @ Falcons (2-6)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals; Falcons are NFC South foes. Saints and Seahawks are in serious contention for a first round bye and possible #1 seed in the postseason.

b. Desired outcome: All kidding aside, pull for the Falcons. I know the Falcons are the team we like to hate. But this is now serious business. We need to be rooting for the Dirty Birds to play their game of the season, and come away with an upset. The Falcons are so far behind in the division that it would take a complete meltdown by the Saints AND Panthers in order for the Falcons to have a shot at the division.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 4.5 out of 10 (I smell an upset by the Dirty Birds!)

d. Vegas odds on this game: Seahawks by 6.

Week 10, Game 8: Bengals (6-3) @ Ravens (3-5)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Bengals by 2.

Week 10: Game 9: Lions (5-3) @ Bears (5-3)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals, and in a 3-way tie for first place in the NFC North. Lions are not the same team on the road, and the Bears are a very good team at home.

b. Desired outcome: Pull for the Bears, because the Saints own the tiebreaker with the Bears because of having beaten Chicago earlier this season.

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

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

Week 10: Game 10: Panthers (5-3) @ 49’ers (6-2)

a. Why it is important: Both teams are NFC rivals. Panthers are an NFC South rival.

b. Desired outcome: There are some who may want to have the Panthers knock off the 49’ers, and that would be a fairly good argument. However, the first priority in securing a playoff goal is winning your own division before going for higher seeding in the playoffs. For this reason, I say we’d want the Panthers to slip back another game and give the Saints a little more breathing room.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 6.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: 49’ers by 6- ½.

Week 10, Game 11: Texans (2-6) @ Cardinals (4-4)

a. Why it is important: The Cardinals are an NFC rival. They are at the .500 mark, and can move well into the thick of things in the playoff hunt should they beat the disappointing Texans. The wheels are starting to fall off of the Texans’ bandwagon, and their head coach collapsed on the field at halftime last week. When things go bad…

b. Desired outcome: Interconference game (…pull for the Texans).

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

d. Vegas odds on this game: Cardinals by 1.

Week 10, Game 12: Broncos (7-1) @ Chargers (4-4)

N/A: AFC opponents.

Vegas odds on this game: Broncos by 7.

b](SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL)[/b]

Week10, Game 13: Cowboys (5-4) @ Saints (6-2)

a. Why it is important: Cowboys are an NFC rival, and leading the NFC East. This is an important NFC matchup for the Saints, and will undoubtedly have playoff implications.

b. Desired outcome: Saints are coming off a very disappointing road loss to the Jets. This may be the worst time for the Cowboys to get the Saints, who will be very fired up for this one:

1) the game is on national TV;
2) Rob Ryan is getting his guys ready to play the team that fired him last season;
3) Sean Payton will have time to devise a scheme with available players; without Darren Sproles.

The obvious option is for the WhoDat Nation to pull for the Saints.

c. Confidence factor for a good outcome: 6.5 out of 10.

d. Vegas odds on this game: Saints by 7.

Monday November 9th

Week 10, Game 14: Dolphins (4-4) @ Buccaneers (0-8)

a. Why it is important: Buccaneers are an NFC South rival.

b. Desired outcome: Interconference game; but we don’t want the Bucs to have a GREAT pick in the 2014 draft. For this reason, I say pull for the Bucs (…and let the Jags get the #1 pick)!

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

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

News from Enemy Camps (Week 10):

NFC East Leader:

(Cowboys): Dallas Cowboys Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

NFC North Leaders:

(Bears): Chicago Bears Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

(Lions): Detroit Lions Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

(Packers): Green Bay Packers Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily

NFC West Leader:

(Seahawks): Seattle Seahawks Rumors & News: Pro Sports Daily