Listen even if we go 4-4

SaintFanInATLHELL · 10-23-2004, 06:57 AM

To even talk about the Saints making the playoffs, you have to examine the rest of the conference and their schedules.

There are six slots, with 2 unavailable to the Saints. So who\'s in the driver\'s seat for the other 4 slots.

The hated Falcons are in firm control of the NFC South. Mora and his coaches have them playing inspired defense, something the Saints needs to pick up on. Like us they are playing the relatively weak NFC South, and the weak NFC and AFC west. They only have 3 potential playoff teams the rest of the way (Giants, Denver, Seattle) and 5 remaining division games against 3 teams who have yet to prove they can put a complete game together, much less a complete season. Unless the Saints defense wakes up, and the offense cuts down on its mistakes, along with a lucky break or two against the other two division foes, the Saints can pretty much kiss that division spot goodbye.

So that leaves the wild card spots. The three questions there are if the teams ahead of us will falter, can the Saints pick it up, and are there any teams behind us that can put a run together? The Giants have to pick up the two North divisions along with Atlanta and Arizona, while of course finishing out the tough NFC east. They could fall off the pace against week after week of tough defenses. However if they make it through, they\'ll be dangerous to whoever they meet in the playoffs.

Detroit is probably going to fall off the pace. They have to play the NFC East and the AFC South, two of the toughest divisions around.

Green Bay, Dallas, Washington, and Seattle/Rams are all toss ups.

Looking through the standings, the Saints really aren\'t in a terrible position. The problem is that they are playing terrible ball. On the other hand the wild card spots are still wide open.

But I agree with the assessment above. Until Venturi turns over the defense to someone competent, we\'re never going to get anywhere.

SFIAH

10-23-2004, 06:57 AM	#11
SaintFanInATLHELL The Professor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lithonia, GA Posts: 2,783	Listen even if we go 4-4 To even talk about the Saints making the playoffs, you have to examine the rest of the conference and their schedules. There are six slots, with 2 unavailable to the Saints. So who\'s in the driver\'s seat for the other 4 slots. The hated Falcons are in firm control of the NFC South. Mora and his coaches have them playing inspired defense, something the Saints needs to pick up on. Like us they are playing the relatively weak NFC South, and the weak NFC and AFC west. They only have 3 potential playoff teams the rest of the way (Giants, Denver, Seattle) and 5 remaining division games against 3 teams who have yet to prove they can put a complete game together, much less a complete season. Unless the Saints defense wakes up, and the offense cuts down on its mistakes, along with a lucky break or two against the other two division foes, the Saints can pretty much kiss that division spot goodbye. So that leaves the wild card spots. The three questions there are if the teams ahead of us will falter, can the Saints pick it up, and are there any teams behind us that can put a run together? The Giants have to pick up the two North divisions along with Atlanta and Arizona, while of course finishing out the tough NFC east. They could fall off the pace against week after week of tough defenses. However if they make it through, they\'ll be dangerous to whoever they meet in the playoffs. Detroit is probably going to fall off the pace. They have to play the NFC East and the AFC South, two of the toughest divisions around. Green Bay, Dallas, Washington, and Seattle/Rams are all toss ups. Looking through the standings, the Saints really aren\'t in a terrible position. The problem is that they are playing terrible ball. On the other hand the wild card spots are still wide open. But I agree with the assessment above. Until Venturi turns over the defense to someone competent, we\'re never going to get anywhere. SFIAH
	Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.