If we win in SD I think we could get to 2-3 but division rivals are 2-0 on the road so far.

This is where I see what makes or breaks us. We have not gone 3-3 under SP ever after trailing. The best is 4-4. 3-3 is better than 4-4 because that one game is a difference in making stronger pushes late in season.

Week 7 at KC
I don't see this being a bad defensive game for us, but what about for the offense? Week 2 at giants was tough. This is the kind of games Brees needs to win. These have not been his strengths. So far this season we lost two games that were actually to Brees' strength.

Week 8 vs Seattle
This was a tough game before season started and Graham is starting to get going and they bring in Spiller. The oline is bad for them though. And this is gonna be another game Brees will need to bring it. I can see defense playing well but Brees is gonna have to rise above this.

Those two games will test the offense's ability against strong defenses.

Week 9 at SF
SF is a tale of two teams. They get ran all over when traveling but they are not that at home. They play better defense in Santa Clara but it very well could be that atmosphere. It has not been good for teams that are pass-first. One of the few teams that won there easy last year, Cincinatti, ran the ball. Another game I think where the offense is challenged.

Week 10 vs Denver
I thought they would regress but they haven't yet. Their defense is still strong and will likely be no worse than 2 losses when we play. The offense though could give us problems but they are on back to back road games after going to Oakland. This looks to be a game where defense will lose some situations but win in others. Offense needed again to win the game.

So week 7-10 the teams are more defensive than offensive and only one of them has a true playmaker which is Maclin. Receivers have not been our issue, the running game has and these teams can run the ball but they are not going to do what Atlanta did.

Week 11 at Carolina
This is a game we probably lose. Though three days rest favors the better offense. But that's probably not gonna matter here. It will be hard to sweep.

Week 12 LA
This could be a trap only because of the media stirring the pot. The rams have won the last two against us, both ugly for us. That's the measuring stick to say we have problems against this team. Nvm we beat them in 2010, the last time we hosted them. Gurley will likely be a issue but this is really all they have on offense. If an upset happens here it's going to be because of the exaggerated "rams have our number" card. This is otherwise a game defense could do well in.

Week 13 Detroit
They look stronger than expected offensively. This will be a showdown if offense this time gets up for it early. Will defense lose this one?

Week 14 at TB
I honestly feel our chances are better at TB than at home. I'll give us win here.

Week 15 at Arizona
Arizona is off to a poor start. If that's the case week 15 we have a chance to win but chances are they will be back to normal again. However offense is not all that threatening. We played well defensively against them last year but offense struggled. So I'm seeing this coming down to offense.

Week 16 TB
Hard to sweep a division rival in two weeks. TB will likely have the better offensive game here. It comes down to the offense to match them.

Week 17 @Atl
Matchups go out the window here. I believe we win this one.

Most of the games outside of Detroit and TB present a bigger challenge for offense. When this season is concluding I think we will be talking about the offense more than the defense having issues.

Well since the general opinion of just about everyone is that our defense cannot stop a nosebleed, I would say how Brees plays is not exactly paramount.