Lose to playoff teams and you will be in a pressure-driven tight division race
 

We did start 0-2 but we also played two of the three locked in playoff teams with some questionable offensive usage and play calling. The 0-2 start inspired the team but we didn't just lose those games. We lost to the rams week 12 and that may have been how the vikings and pats games turned out where it's a tossup in the last five minutes as to who would win if we played them later on.

The 2009-2011 team had 3-1, 1-1, and 3-1 records against said teams, and I am talking about teams outside of our division. Because you want to make teams in your division scared? You beat the teams out of it that are good. Do we have a winning record against good non-divisional teams this season? No, we don't. In fact, we are actually 0-3 or 1-3 against them depending on if Detroit gets in(who is a weak playoff team this season to begin with) and that is why we are sitting here needing to win out to win the division. We could have clinched with one more win or perhaps last week because pressure to catch up in the division does affect the game performance.

Re: Lose to playoff teams and you will be in a pressure-driven tight division race
 

I totally disagree!

The Bills and Dolphins are still in the playoff hunt

You can't knock the Saints because they played a Rodgers-less Packers team

3 of the 4 teams that we have lost to are double-digit, 1st round bye division winning teams; splitting the season series with the failclowns happens more often than not

Saints could have folded the tent against the Lions and Redskins but we found ways to win those games

The Saints are legitimate Super Bowl contenders

Enjoy the ride!

Re: Lose to playoff teams and you will be in a pressure-driven tight division race
 

I really don’t see a Super Bowl this year. Just don’t. I would like to see us knock out Atlanta or Carolina though.

Re: Lose to playoff teams and you will be in a pressure-driven tight division race
 

I don’t either, but it’s been a great season and the team’s finally gotten out of the funk they were in. If we can solve our 3rd down issues on offense then I think we’ll have a great shot at it next season.

Re: Lose to playoff teams and you will be in a pressure-driven tight division race
 

The 3d down issues and SP getting in his own way are synonymous.

Good luck.

Pete Carmichael as play caller is the only option.

Re: Lose to playoff teams and you will be in a pressure-driven tight division race
 

How many of us saw an 8 game win streak, double digit win season, or the Saints not losing to a team with a losing record?

Re: Lose to playoff teams and you will be in a pressure-driven tight division race
 

So zero credit to the man for having another top 5 Offense? If you’re putting the season to bed shouldn’t you acknowledge some of the key injuries suffered?

Re: Lose to playoff teams and you will be in a pressure-driven tight division race
 

Non-issue.

Playoff teams SOV (strength of victory)

1. Carolina Panthers - .520
2. Kansas City Chiefs - ..518
3. New England Patriots - .487
4. New Orleans Saints - .486
5. Pittsburg Steelers - .465
6. Minnesota Vikings - .465
7. Atlanta Falcons - .460
8. Los Angeles Rams - .433
9. Philadelphia Eagles - .417
10. Jacksonville Jaguars - .378
11. Tennessee Titans - .365
12. Baltimore Ravens - .307

Only 3 playoff teams have a higher strength of victory than the Saints. The reason the Saints still haven't clinched the division is because the NFC South is the best division in the NFL this year and has 3 playoff contending teams

Re: Lose to playoff teams and you will be in a pressure-driven tight division race
 

Only tomorrow matters at this point.

Re: Lose to playoff teams and you will be in a pressure-driven tight division race
 

Like said above, it’s been a great season. It’s entertaining and we have been competitive all year. We are in the drivers seat to win the division. As long as we have a shot all season without getting too far behind I’m happy. Games will have meaning until the final time ticks off the clock against Tampa.
We also have a good young group on a team that looks like it’s on the upswing.
Less penalties and converting 3rd downs would really help us out. I would really try and make a push for Foles this offseason. I think he would be a good replacement for Drew when the time comes.

Re: Lose to playoff teams and you will be in a pressure-driven tight division race
 

I give zero credit to the man responsible for three consecutive 7-9 seasons.

If we miss the playoffs again?

Who should get the blame?

The injury bug?

Grow up.

Re: Lose to playoff teams and you will be in a pressure-driven tight division race
 

The third down issues are troubling and that can't be blamed on injuries

We went into this season with only Michael Thomas as an established receiver and he's only a second year player, behind him there are Tommy Lee, Fleener, Josh Hill, Ginn, Snead and Coleman.

I don't trust any of those guys going up against an above average CB, most of those guys can't even get open against a Linebacker.

Teams know on third down if they cover the flats and take away Ingram or Kamara, none of the other guys except Michael Thomas can beat them.

With all that said, let's have a bit of cheer, we are normally eliminated from the playoff race by now. We have 10 wins and hopefully finish with 12, this team is certainly trending in the right direction.

Our D has dealt with adversity all season and they are currently ranked 15th, imagine how good we'll look after the off-season and draft, not to mention injured defensive players coming back.

EDIT - Just checked the defensive stats and we are actually tied for 10th in Scoring D, allowing 20.1 points per game.

Allen has done a tremendous job and Ireland has hit it out of the ball park with the last few drafts.

Re: Lose to playoff teams and you will be in a pressure-driven tight division race
 

3 seasons of all out offense did not work.

Instead of looking for who gets the credits for the season we are having why not look to what has changed and who was to blame for what.

Rob Ryan is at the heart of the issue on both sides of the ball.

I have :deadhorse2:on this topic.

Rob Ryan's wish list required the Saints to spend their off season so heavily investing on defense it left little for the offense.Ryan required an entire personal change.

Allen on the other hand has an approach of making the most of what you have and add pieces that have the most impact. Look at what he has done in the short time he has been here without sacrificing the offense. Instead he has allowed the offense to retool itself at the same time.

Just go back look at the drafts, the FA added and the FA let go. The difference in Rob and Dennis is so different. DA is a coach. Rob was a drug induced dreamer.

Allen gets the big picture and that is why he got his shot as a HC and Rob is unemployed sitting home.

As for the losses this thread start off talking about, hey we are having a season that is really beyond reality. Amazing what a few key pieces in the draft picks and FA can do for a team. Sure lady luck has her hand in it but so do the coaches.

Nothing worse than getting B-Slapped right out of the gate while a bunch of new faces gel. But to put on a streak like this is unreal and joy to ride.

Key loses to what have turned out to be the main players in the draft actually makes me feel better despite the complications they cause.

Now with the IR list growing and a chance get back at those teams in a playoff rematch is actually more thrilling to find out what this team really made off deep down the bench. It sets up FA and the draft for next to maintain and improve on to compete on the same level.

If DA can pull this off he is the DC of the year hands down.

Enjoy the ride and all the gut turning complications it has. :bng:

Bring on the Falclowns and get the job done.

Re: Lose to playoff teams and you will be in a pressure-driven tight division race
 

We should've beaten the Falcons already and clinched the division. Today will be payback at home in a big way! Saints 43 - Falcons 22