Re: Saints picked to finish second in division by NFL network
 

That segment was pretty much a fact free zone. hmmm.

"The Saints have all the talent, great offense, great defense, great coaching, and the best QB in the division, if not the NFC..."

"BUT!!! worst to first happens in this division all the time. So it has to happen again this season..."

National media people value consistency (and large markets of course). Teams that win their division every year and go to the championship and SB all the time (Patriots) are unquestioned. Even though the Saints have been to the playoffs 4 of the last 5 years, and have had 4 10+ win seasons in the same span, that because they do not win the division each and every year, and do not show up in the championship game each and every year, their ability to dominate their division is questioned by the media each and every year.

To me the math is pretty simple. The Saints had a top 5 offense and defense last year. They have the same coaching staff. They improved their roster on both sides of the ball. None of the other three teams in the division pulled off all three since the end of last season.

It's a no brainer...

SFIAH

Re: Saints picked to finish second in division by NFL network
 

You could argue they have more injuries this year already then they did last year.

I think our only challenge will be the Bucs. I think we will blow them away but they could be a possible playoff team.

NO 13-3
TB 10-6, 9-7
CAR 6-10
ATL 6-10

Re: Saints picked to finish second in division by NFL network
 

They got exposed in the playoffs, I didnt think they were anything close to a sb contender. They just won 12 games against a arguably batch of beatable offenses.

Re: Saints picked to finish second in division by NFL network
 

Too many teams that should beat Atlanta played scared against them. I notice it too much.

Re: Saints picked to finish second in division by NFL network
 

you can't say that they couldn't compete last year when they won the division, which that post was referring too...

Re: Saints picked to finish second in division by NFL network
 

I for one hope TB doesnt win 11 or more games because of the copycat division placement trend Atlanta has after us. I look at these as bucs losses...
Rams
@Steelers
Saints(one of them at least)
@Redskins
@Lions

It comes down to if they beat Atlanta week 3 and sweep them. Then they win 11 games. If they lose to Atlanta they go 10-6 I think. This scares me though we host packers week 8 and they host vikings. Notice something there? One of us is going to lose.

Falcons I have surely losing to us, GB, Min or Chi, Bal or Cin, @TB, and @NY. It comes down to if they beat us once or bucs once.

These games scare me
@Atl
Min(because of starting out 2 games on the road)
@Dal(I think we can win but tread careful)
TB(even at home this could be a challenge)
GB
SF/Cin/Bal(home stretch against three good teams)
@Pit
@Chi
@TB

We have a test ahead, there are good defenses going up against our offense as well as good offenses going up against our defense and the vikings is a big time sleeper team.

Re: Saints picked to finish second in division by NFL network
 

In other words TB finishes 3rd or 1st

Re: Saints picked to finish second in division by NFL network
 

"It's just the facts."

Did he just say that with a straight face? His whole speech was facts that point to the Saints winning, and his reason for picking the Bucs was "sometimes teams go worst to first". NFL.com tries harder and harder every year to just...plain...suck.

Re: Saints picked to finish second in division by NFL network
 

Geeeeeeez I've stopped watching the NFL N

Re: Saints picked to finish second in division by NFL network
 

You listed almost everyone of our opponents lol...

I don't think any team is a match for us this year. We have an easy schedule compared to other years. AFC North is a joke, they are almost as over-hyped as the NFC east. Only team that concerns me this year is the Saints. If we play our ball with the talent we have no one can beat us.