how tough is our schedule this year?

saintswhodi · 07-12-2005, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by WhoDat

I agree Whodi.

The way I see it:

The Panthers will be the team that is strong and out in front all season long this year (as the Falcons were last year and the Panthers were the year before).

The Bucs will continue to struggle and will play inconsistent football. 6-10 from them I think.

The Falcons will be the Panthers of last year. They'll start poorly 1-4 or 2-3. That wil set the tone for them and though they'll surge back and be tough late season, I see them at about 8-8 or 9-7.

The Saints will be the Saints.

Agreement right back at you WhoDat, but here's my one caveat: if we beat the Panthers opening day, I think we win the division. First, we are up in the division right out the gate, which is always good. Second, Atlanta's schedule is murder the first month. Third, and we ALL know this about our team, if we come close and lose to the Panthers, we will be in a downward spiral for weeks. This team hasn't had the psychology to bounce back from tough losses. But they seem to get a swagger when they get some wins. Problem is, those have been few and far between. I think it is a fight between us and the Panthers as to who wins this division, and the opening day winner has the leg up. Beating a beat up overachieving team to end last season was one thing, beating them fully healthy and fresh to start the season is a whole nother animal. We NEED that kind of confidence right out the gate. I don't wanna step too far over the line, but I think a win like that could carry us all year. Now if we get blown out, I don't see that as bad as losing 10-7 or something like that. You can dismiss a blow out. Just not the close but no cigar mentality again.

07-12-2005, 09:40 AM	#9
saintswhodi 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 6,941	Originally Posted by WhoDat I agree Whodi. The way I see it: The Panthers will be the team that is strong and out in front all season long this year (as the Falcons were last year and the Panthers were the year before). The Bucs will continue to struggle and will play inconsistent football. 6-10 from them I think. The Falcons will be the Panthers of last year. They'll start poorly 1-4 or 2-3. That wil set the tone for them and though they'll surge back and be tough late season, I see them at about 8-8 or 9-7. The Saints will be the Saints. Agreement right back at you WhoDat, but here's my one caveat: if we beat the Panthers opening day, I think we win the division. First, we are up in the division right out the gate, which is always good. Second, Atlanta's schedule is murder the first month. Third, and we ALL know this about our team, if we come close and lose to the Panthers, we will be in a downward spiral for weeks. This team hasn't had the psychology to bounce back from tough losses. But they seem to get a swagger when they get some wins. Problem is, those have been few and far between. I think it is a fight between us and the Panthers as to who wins this division, and the opening day winner has the leg up. Beating a beat up overachieving team to end last season was one thing, beating them fully healthy and fresh to start the season is a whole nother animal. We NEED that kind of confidence right out the gate. I don't wanna step too far over the line, but I think a win like that could carry us all year. Now if we get blown out, I don't see that as bad as losing 10-7 or something like that. You can dismiss a blow out. Just not the close but no cigar mentality again.