st thomas

Is anyone expecting anything more then another slow start out of the box from our beloved Saints.

Here’s the eye thing , there’s other games that I’m getting more drawn to then my own saints and it’s the clowns that start with the Rams The panties and the vikes . The yucks (Winston looked like shiiit in preseason )against the 9ers It’s a measuring tool for me . Could the whole division start with L’s .
We all know it has to be the division that propelled us to the promised land.

foreverfan

You think? I say 16-0.

SaintFanInATLHELL

As the front runner, the Saints really don't have to worry about other teams in the division for the moment. Virtually all of the issues in the division occur in the second half of the season. For the 1st half games 2-5 with LA Rams, Seattle, Dallas, and Tampa are the crucial games for a good start. Tampa of course because it's a division game, the other 3 because they are all likely going to be playoff competition this year. So winning head to head will put them in the Saints rearview when it comes to playoff seeds in January.

As with every regular season, while all games are important, not all games are equal. I generally track through a lens with about 4 tiers:

1. Division games. Going 6-0 in the division goes a long way to setting up for a long playoff run. It has the double whammy of putting the Saints in the playoffs and keeping the rest of the division out of the playoffs.

2. NFC games against potential playoff teams. This year that is likely the LA Rams, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago. Critical for seeding and head to head is always the 1st tiebreaker.

3. Other NFC opponents. Both common opponents (mostly shared with division rivals) and NFC standings depends on winning against NFC competition, especially against non-likely playoff teams. This year that's Arizona and San Francisco.

4. AFC teams. Only part of the common opponents for division teams and no impact on the conference standings beyond the overall standings.

From a feel standpoint division games feel worth 1.5 games while AFC games feel more like 0.75 games. So while for example a slow start on Monday Night football would be a bad look against the Texans, it has much less impact than the 4 games that follow.

Given that in an ideal world the Saints would be 5-0 heading into October. That and winning division games would set up the team in really good playoff position this season.

SFIAH

Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO

Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

AsylumGuido

I'm not expecting a slow start at all.

SaintsBro

First string in the Jets game. The TD drive with Drew throwing beautiful rainbows like his Purdue days, including one crazy laser throw to Thomas in double coverage, where if it had been thrown four inches to either side, left or right, it probably would have been a pick. Then Kamara like a dervish, getting six yards a pop by just plowing into the line, blowing through, regardless of whether he had a hole to run through or not. And then the Lattimore strip and fumble recovery like two plays later, deep in Jets' territory.

It all happened really fast, it didn't last long, Payton immediately snapped the playbook shut and pulled everybody important, after the Lattimore strip. But that first part of the 1st quarter with the Saints at full strength was crazy fun to watch.... I'm not expecting a slow start at all.

blackangold

Tough opening schedule but I like the team this year more than last year. I could see us going 4-0 to start, but I can also see 2-2. It’s a tough travel schedule along with very good teams. If we start 4-0 it should be another very good season in the 13-3 range.

We have more x-factor type players on the team this year, Murray is one of those guys. Teams are going to dismiss his pass catching in the first few weeks.

The Dude

I don’t care as long as we win the last game in February
I do think we are going to have a slow start. We should beat Houston but we have a tough stretch there. I think we bounce back and run the table the second half of the season.

Rugby Saint II

I haven't gotten to see a game yet.....but the feel is the same as when we start slow. we're banged up and still looking for players. That's not a comforting thought.

st thomas

Dam rug
You can stream the games in preseason I believe, unless u work in a gold mine.

Rugby Saint II

I don't work in a gold mine.....it's a coal mine. Just sayin';

Rugby summer 7's has been in full swing and I'm usually travelling on the weekends refereeing and driving home on Sunday or Monday. Either that or I'm not getting the game on CBS at home with AT&T. I looked into streaming but Fox carries the regular season games which is what really matters.

I watched some of the game at the rugby party after the tournament Saturday night but it was hard to focus between the drinks, friends and the athletic women rugby players.