how tough is our schedule this year?
 

i look at it and have to be honest i see us at best at 4-4 after the first 8 games. i mean we really have some tough games. not just because of the teams but where we are playing them also. i almost think that the last 5 or 6 games of the season makes or breaks us. which is good in some ways. if we can get rolling then that is good. if we can't who cares about the first half of the year anyway. if we come out of the first half of the season better then 4-4 i will be surprised and delighted.
but i want you guys to tell me how our schedule looks this year. because to me it is a pretty tough schedule. am i wrong?

The toughest team we play is ourselves -- If we start 4-4 its not because of who or where we play as much as it will be whether we play with heart and passion. We have enough talent to compete and win against most of the teams in the league == but talent doesn't mean much if they don't play as a team and with intesity

The first 4 home games are all very winable ... I'll rather play at Lambeau Field in October than in December ... we beat St. Louis in their house last year ... we beat the Panthers away from home, too ... nothing to cry about IMO.

Wanna talk about a tough early schedule? Look at the Falcons':
Philadelphia
@Seattle
@Buffalo
Minnesota
New England
They might well be 1-4 when they play us in week 6.

At first I thought we had a very tough schedule. After looking really looking at it, I think 10 and 6 is very possible if we can go 4-2 in the division. With our other 4 loses coming to the Vikings, Bills, Pats,and Lions. I think we can sweep either the Bucs or the Panther.

Okay, is there any particular reason people feel the Panthers will be cake next year? The fact that we split with them last year when they had 14 starters on IR? They kicked out arses the first time we played. If we are fighting anyone for the division, it's them. Hell, with just the people they lost coming back from injury, they are good enough to contend for the NFC title. Let's not mention free agency and the draft. I don't think we should be so cavalier about that team just cause they were down last year. Look at it this way, we had no better chance to sweep them than last year and it didn't happen. Let's just hope week 1 game 1 we at least compete at a high level, win or lose. We don't need a repeat of the Seattle game last year to start the season.

Have to agree 100% -- On defense they were already great and I think they improved in that area -- on offense they have a highly efficient QB, a decent line and 2 very good running backs -- their only weakness may be in age of the wide receivers -- If we beat them opening day in Charlotte I will be very excited about the Saints chances this year

You got that right. If we come out opening day and sock the Panthers in the mouth, I couldn't think of a better catalyst to what could be a special season. As of right now, I don't think anyone should be discounting the Panthers.

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.