Getting back in the playoff race
 

We have several games in a row that I feel as though we could win if we play well. I feel like we can conceivably win our next 5 games in a row leading up to the Panthers game as long as the team keeps progressing.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

I do not believe the playoffs are realistic, but until the Saints are mathematically eliminated there is always hope!!!

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

I'm not even going to talk about the playoffs (this is where someone posts the video of Jim Mora's rant, as if that's never been done before).

I'll say this, though... Our best chance to win games moving forward is by doing exactly what we did last night. I've been saying all year that Drew stands in the pocket too much. When he has an alley to step into he just stands there and gets hit. You gotta help the line as much as they help you, especially when your line isn't very good.

Sean Payton took that decision out of his hands by calling boot legs and MAKING him get out of the pocket. That gave him time and space, and he was able to get the ball 15-25 yards down the field, instead of just dink and dunk. It got he and the receivers in a rhythm, and that's what good offense is all about. Now if they could only run the ball... But this was a game where it looked like the old Sean Payton, with some imagination. Drew still can't throw the bomb, but if he will give himself time like he did tonight, he can get the ball downfield enough to get the job done.

Defensively, as I said in another thread, playing tighter coverage (particularly over the middle) is what worked, and it needs to continue. Cam played possessed, and that has to be the effort of that whole front four. They've looked dead up until last night. Still struggling to stop the run.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Making plays makes the difference.
Actually making the catch on 3rd and long...
Actually making the tackle on 3rd and long...
The little things all game long that turn the tide.
The cover guy only has to be great when the ball is thrown his way.
His other 54 plays are insignificant in the whole scheme of things.
The forced fumbles, the sacks, the db break-ups, the Watson catches were all in the moment.
The catches could have easily been just another drop.
The fumbles could have been easily recovered by ATL because our guy was twiddling his thumbs and not attentive.
We could have once again, had 12 penalties for 95 yards and gave away 1st downs, but we didn't.
Our guys have to play in the moment and make plays...ALL game long.
All of the remaining games "CAN" be won.
Let's see if we can make some more plays.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

One game at a time.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

10 games left, I can see us realistically winning 6 or 7 of them.

We'd need a few good bounces to finish 8-2. Its possible but there's no margin for error.
10-6 probably gives us a 50% shot at a wildcard.
9-7 will require some luck.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

I was completely prepared for a loss to the hated clowns. After last night, I think anything is possible.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Yeah looking at our schedule there is no reason we can't go 9-7 or maybe better. But the only ones holding us back are ourselves. We have not shown we can string 2 decent games back to back. If we can play hard and disciplined against the Colts like we did Atlanta I will believe a little more.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Great win, but I'm not ready to pat Sean on the back just yet.
If we break even in the next two weeks with games like last night then we may have something.

We simply must keep the defense off the field.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Just a hunch but if we score more points than the team we are playing, we should win!

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

This team at 9-7 is off to a good start. This team at 10-6 is nothing short of amazing. Playoffs? Miracles do happen so why not? I'm just pleased we have shown that we are improving and some of these new kids can really play. Onward. Upward.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

looking at the Falcons' schedule, I can't see us catching them.
they have the Colts and Panthers, and no one else with a winning record

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

no. not even close. best we can hope for is a few spoiler games like this. we just dont have it this year so dont even set yourself up for disappointment. Enjoy one game at a time and enjoy watching players like Snead, KIKI, Anthony, etc grow up.

Next year we should have a pretty bad ass D tho7ugh.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

it starts next week.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

I'm not getting my hopes up. But, I will keep watching -- hoping for the best. This team was totally amazing last night. Who knows?

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

You guys are letting me down...

Can't believe no one has put the obligatory Jim Mora whinny b*tch playoff video "Playoffs? Playoffs?!?"

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Realoistically we are out of the playoffs. But the fans want a win every week. Still, it's possible to make the playoffs just highly unlikely.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Ok, for posterity's sake, ;) :

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Carolina looks like they might be for real.
Is it possible to go 5-0 without a single legitimate WR? Apparently so.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Right now we have a 1 in 8 chance of playoffs.

Like Danno said, we need 8 more wins to think about getting in, and that's not a lock - only about 70% at this point...


New Orleans Saints What If?


Let's get to .500 first and then we can worry about caring who wins and who loses besides us.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Making that 'one and done' playoff appearance very likely. :-)

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Highly doubtful on that playoffs thing. That said, why don't we just shut up about it until we can demonstrate that we can win more than one game in a row, and get to .500.

Who's up? Colts. Hangover, anyone?

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Because we're fans, its in our job description.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Let's just see 2 good games in a row and we'll go from there......

the Panthers could lose their next 3 pretty easily so you never know, but the falcons schedule is not too difficult so we would still have to catch them

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

I was looking at the season and +.500 is definitely doable.

In short, we got this.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Bad news- other than Carolina, the teams we lost to are 8-8. with Arizona also now going in the wrong direction after losing to a 3rd string QB

The good news is that other than the division leaders, everybody else sucks too

You can pencil the Falcons and Panthers in, leaving one spot. Technically we are a game and a half behind Minnesota, so I think 10 wins will be enough
We have 8 winnable games left... depends if Jekyll or Hyde shows up

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

The cream will rise to the top.

If we really are as bad as our record shows, it will be revealed over the next 5 or 6 games.

I think we're better than what our record says and we'll win most of our remaining games. I do have a sickening feeling that the Tampa loss may be the game we look back on as the one game that kept us from making the playoffs.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Play like we played Atlanta we will be no push over. They play like pre-season and the games we lost 5-11 at best.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

first thing I thought.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

My first reaction is:

hahahahahahahaha

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

im mainly concerned with the colts, thats a hard game

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Lets slow are roll right there. PLAYOFFS PLAYOFFS.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Got to thinking and you have to look at it this way. Last year this whole division sucked. Some won the last few games and some won more in the season early. We had a real shot at winning the division until that last Panthers game in spite of a losing record at the time. Who is to say that the division has improved all that much? We have arguably had the hardest schedule out of any of our division rivals already having played 3 division games and a good Arizona team. We could have easily won every game except the Eagles debacly. We beat ourselves more than the other teams beat us. Who is to say Atlanta and Carolina dont drop 4-5 in a row?

We almost beat Carolina in their own house in spite of some injury and shoddy play. Carolina did just beat Seattle but I dont think Seattle sees the playoffs this year.

Atlantas offensive line just got exposed and our young players are really starting to step up. I also see heart and attitude again on this team.

stranger things have happened.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

I think we are precisely 2 and 4. We are not good and if I'm being honest I don't see us making the playoffs. I will hope and pray and beg but I don't see it. Of course I hope I'm wrong and we win 12 games. I hope I hope I hope...


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Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Hope to squeak in a wild card spot. Gotta get our head above water & see .500 first. Very excited about our young guys getting it together after 6 games.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Carolina might actually be for real.
Atlanta has been exposed, but will make the playoffs based on their schedule. They will travel to Arizona or who knows in the NFC East and lose, 1 and done.

Minnesota is still the team in our cross hairs (thanks Slo, for the false hope this week)

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

Minnesota, Arizona. We need those teams to start losing some games.

Re: Getting back in the playoff race
 

I'm growing more optimistic as our young defense gels. Kikiha, Anthony, Breaux, and Swann have rally solidified two positions of need that have plagued us for years. I believe Byrd being healthy has really helped Vacarro as well.

Offense is my concern. Brees worries me. The lack of receivers worry me. The inability of Payton to stick with what is working concerns me. Mark Ingram dominated. I would have kept running the ball down their throats last night. Instead we kept seeing Khiry Robinson get the carries whenever CJ Spiller isn't on the field being used terribly. We should he actively pursuing weapons on the trade block, even if it means giving up a #1. Send the Lions whatever they want for Megatron and send that 6th rounded for Cordarelle Patterson. Bet our offense looks like 2011 then.