So the NFC playoff picture is set now, with two rematches taking place during wild card weekend.  here's how it stacks up:

1) Saints

2) Minnesota

3) Dallas

4) Arizona

5) Green Bay

6) Philadelphia


The Saints will play the lowest-seeded winner from the matchups out of Dallas/Philadelphia and Arizona/Green Bay. Meaning, if Dallas wins the Saints will  play the winner of Arizona/Green Bay. But if Philadelphia wins, the Saints will automatically play them (since they're the lowest seed overall).

So who will you be "rooting" for in wild card games?

I think the Saints will match up well with both Arizona and Green Bay, although Green Bay scares me a little more than the Cardinals.  Regardless, I have no doubt the Saints could beat either of those teams, given they work the "can't score more than 17 points" thing out.  Philly is definitely beatable, as well, especially since the Saints have done so already once this season.  I know - they didn't have McNabb, but their running game was better and we were also on the road.  I don't think they'll come to NO and be able to win - and that means I can still hope the Cowboys lose.

  
I can't compete with Dave's write-up of the game, but I thought I'd share some pictures from a different perspective:  the very last row.  I flew in for this game from Ft Lauderdale under the auspices of visiting my mom for her birthday (although I really just wanted to go to the game--shhh), but my brother also drove in from Dallas with his kids.  It was the twins' first Saints game.  So, basically, they had to win, or else.  Photos after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

This past weekend marked the first time I'd ever gone to a game that was not held in the Superdome.  Awesomely enough, it was one of the most entertaining games I've ever attended, and the Saints' ability to rebound from an early 21-point deficit has convinced me that we really are really for real.  Really.  Some observations:

Continue reading this post »

I've been looking over Saints statistics a lot lately, trying to make sense of what makes this team seem so substantively different to everyone.  Brees is as good as ever, even if he doesn't throw for 300+ yards per game, and our defense has obviously benefited from the change of culture brought about by the acquisition of Gregg Williams, but there's something more that seems to be the catalyst:  a credible running game.

Continue reading this post »

As the draft approaches, NFL teams are sizing up prospects at a frenetic pace.  While many sports websites will report visits made by various players to certain franchises, there seems to be no comprehensive list of any given team's targets.  Since the draft is turning into a spectator sport itself, I thought it would be useful to see who the Saints are targeting--sure, most of the hype surrounds first-round picks, but it's important to know who else is on the radar.  So, compiled mainly from Scout.com, here's a list of the prospects in whom the Saints are allegedly interested.

Continue reading this post »

As the draft descends upon us, football fans everywhere are engaging in wildly unrestrained speculation, most of which is baseless and, usually, way off the mark.  But even though there's no way to predict with any accuracy what teams will do in the draft, using historical trends at least provides some justification for whatever crazy claims we can come up with.  And that's why I say, if the past is any indication, we simply must trade out of the #14 spot.  Because it's cursed.

Continue reading this post »

I thought safety was unambiguously our most pressing need?  That we've only looked at two--an aged Sharper and an AK-totin' Sensabaugh--is itself unsettling, but now the Rams have allegedly signed one of the more premier FS available, James Butler, to pair with Otogwe.  They also won the Bartell battle, and are visiting with Karney today.  (still some of that old NFC West rivalry, maybe?)  And what's the plan to address our biggest defensive question mark?  If we're banking on Malcom Jenkins (a) dropping to #14 and (b) being able to make the CB-to-FS switch, then I suppose it makes sense to sign someone like Sharper as a capable backup--and maybe we're delaying to try to get him at a cheaper price.  Regardless, having not signed anyone is a bit unnerving, especially since our best option is an XFL/Bengal reject...