We Aren't Blowing It Up, So What Now?

Saint KayBee said
I’m one of the most optimistic idiots here and I predicted 11-6 when the schedule released, and haven’t moved off that until now since it’s essentially not going to happen.

That prediction relied on a few things that haven’t gone the way I expected. Mainly, injuries hit this team the way a cannonball hits a sailboat, vs. the usual manner of scattershot injuries and “nobody’s ever 100% in December” that every team deals with. It flipped some expected wins to losses, turned what I predicted as a 6-1 start into a 2-5 one, and now the team has to go 9-1 down the stretch to hit 11-6 on the year. There’s 4 games before the official bye week, 6 after. It’d take a lot to run off a 9-1 record, because it means they basically can’t afford any sub-optimal games, so instead I’m more focused now on how this team plays out the back half. Do they fight for each other and the fans and show what they’re capable of at full health, or do they go in the tank and start trying to figure out their next moves? Time will tell - let’s hope for the best, being sour won’t do me any favors.

:gosaints:

I wouldn't have bet on 11 wins, but thought 10 was feasible. I was basing this off an average offense and DA's typical stout D which hasn't been correct.

After the first 2 games, I'm willing to give this whole season a pass unless the D fails to improve.

Of course, football is a team game. The D cannot win when it' son the field 40 minutes and the O scores nothing. So, 9 and 8 seems feasible and that's where I'll stand.

I have never been one to use statistics as a predictor, but the stats with Hill in vs Hill out are pretty freaking amazing. It's as if we're playing with one extra man on the field at all time and that guy plays any position at any time so with him back it may be like a light switch Sunday.

WE'll see.