Playoff berth and positioning
 

The NFC South division title may not be important this year. HFA isn't a factor this year due to empty/sparse crowds. What we need to do is make the playoffs and be in position to play the NFC East 'Champ' in the first round. Virtual bye week :D

Re: Playoff berth and positioning
 

That's actually good because it looks like Tampa Bay may get in our way. We still hold the head to head win if it comes down to that.

Re: Playoff berth and positioning
 

Yes and it's somewhat better if the Bucs do well and win the division. The media and sportsbooks will be all over Brady's nutsack, the Bucs will have all the pressure. We can go into the playoffs flying under the radar.

Re: Playoff berth and positioning
 

I wouldn’t count on that, a wild card for the Saints that is. So far, it looks like the North will provide a division winner along with a wild card, same for the West. The East will barely provide a winner. I just don’t see a wild card team coming out of the South, with the way the North and West are playing. Still a lot of football left though, including five more divisional games along with Chicago and SF. Bottom line, I would much prefer the Saints win the division without issues. The hype surrounding the “all-in” year won’t go away, regardless of record. Apparently..., now is the correct time to go “all-in” <sigh>. What happened to the last decade?

Re: Playoff berth and positioning
 

Don't forget there is a 3rd wild card this year. Even though the Saints are out of it at the moment in 8th position, there's still a lot of season to go yet.

SFIAH

Re: Playoff berth and positioning
 

Yeah, was aware of the 7th spot, also aware we are currently 8th, and unfortunately one doinked field goal away from being 11th. 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5, if memory serves, with only the one seed getting a bye. Regardless, “hoping” for a wildcard just isn’t my cup of tea.

Re: Playoff berth and positioning
 

I know play has been somewhat frustrating in the first 5 weeks. But the Saints are really in control of the division at this moment. We are the only team in the division without a division loss, have a head to head so far against the Bradys, and have one less conference loss than the Teddies and Bradys. All of this while tied in the loss column, which is the only column that matters.

So right now the only goal is to maintain the course by taking care of the next game. As the NFC Least proves year after year, winning the division is like two folks trying to get away from a bear: I don't have to run faster than the bear, I just have to run away faster than you.

SFIAH

Re: Playoff berth and positioning
 

At the start of the season I did not believe that Tampa had a chance. It looks like they are a better team with better players and coaching. Nonetheless I like our odds against them. We already beat them once and I'm ready to see it again to win the South.

Re: Playoff berth and positioning
 

Paging Jim Mora.......... " Playoffs?...."

Re: Playoff berth and positioning
 

I don't see the Saints becoming a great team this year, with that said they should still be able to pull out 10-11 wins and compete for a division title. As for the Bucs, I think their offense will slump down the stretch, but that may not matter if their defense keeps it up.