How are you thinking about the rest of the Saints season? (1 Viewer)

[perret318]

What does this season mean to you now?

 

[Paul]

In my heart, I want the Saints to win out, make the playoffs, and win at least one game in the post-season. That is how I feel.

In my mind, the 7 game losing streak looks like too large of a hole to climb out of, especially with so many NFC teams ahead of us record-wise:

Tampa
Atlanta
Washington
Philly
Detroit
Green Bay
Minnesota
San Francisco
Seattle
Arizona
LA Rams

These are my very simplistic views. The team has to go out there and play and we’ll just wait to see how everything shakes out.

 

[texasjefe]

Big picture, I'm feeling good. I want to enjoy the last stretch of games. Dennis Allen, a non-HC, is gone. Gayle signaled that she knows Loomis is stubborn and myopic, even if he's "in the will."

Rizzi has the "relationship" and "passion" pieces down. Kubiak has the offense producing. Defense has settled in.

Marshon was traded. That's a stupid $31M dead cap hit in 2025, but then he's off the books.

It's still another bastage season, but I wanted the team to play well and show a foundation to build on, and I'm seeing nice signs of that now.

 

[AARPSaint]

This ^^^^^^. I’ll still be irritated when the Saints mess up and happy when they make a good play and/ or win. More losses mean better draft position, so there’s consolation. It’s actually kind of a relaxed vibe.

Edit: the ^^^^ was for Paul’s post but can apply to jefe’s post as well.

 

[NatureBoy]

Not thinking about it at all. I’ll be much more engaged in the off season when we are searching for a HC, heading into the draft and hopefully looking for a new GM.

 

[MSUSousaphone]

I've been in full on Saints mode and haven't been looking at anything else but this is just too many injuries and players not on the field. Either something is horribly wrong with the medical/training staff or we need to shift our draft/free agency focus on getting tough players instead of these marshmallows. It's so maddening I might start clubbing baby seals if another injury happens.

Anyways, I'm done with this Saints season. I've been blocking anything Pelicans related so now I'm going to go back and start focusing on them from preseason on. They're going to be a much more exciting team to watch. We have CJ, Zion, Jose.....and Herb and TMIII never get injured so that's a plus. AND we traded for Murray! He's probably averaging a triple double and I've been missing it to watch the Saints. Excited about that Matkovic guys, too. This should be a fun month of catching up.

 

[SWJJ]

In my heart, I want the Saints to win out, make the playoffs, and win at least one game in the post-season. That is how I feel.

In my mind, the 7 game losing streak looks like too large of a hole to climb out of, especially with so many NFC teams ahead of us record-wise:

Tampa
Atlanta
Washington
Philly
Detroit
Green Bay
Minnesota
San Francisco
Seattle
Arizona
LA Rams

These are my very simplistic views. The team has to go out there and play and we’ll just wait to see how everything shakes out.

We still play:
Rams, Commanders, Packers, Bucs

As it sits right now, it doesn't look likely that 10-7 gets you a wild card spot, unless both the commanders and packers hit a free fall. The NFC west has to play each other a bunch, so the best chance for playoffs is to win the division, which is doable at 10-7.

We are 3 games back on the last wild card spot, but 2 games back in the division. Winning the division is the easier route. Falcons still have the chargers, the vikings, and the commanders (in Washington) Falcons could very feasibly end the season 9-8.

We are 1 game back of the Bucs, and we play them last week of the season, they have the chargers and the cowboys left on their schedule. A loss to either of them could move us a game ahead.

If we beat the Rams and gain momentum, we could win the division at 10-7, with the bucs and falcons both ending behind us at 9-8.

 

[Paul]

This ^^^^^^. I’ll still be irritated when the Saints mess up and happy when they make a good play and/ or win. More losses mean better draft position, so there’s consolation. It’s actually kind of a relaxed vibe.

Edit: the ^^^^ was for Paul’s post but can apply to jefe’s post as well.

Agree with both AARP and Jefe.

Additionally, and I’ve said this before, once the ball is kicked off, it doesn’t matter if we’re 4-7 or 7-4, I’m into it like it’s a playoff game. Destroy the other team.
This is my team and I don’t really know how else to be.

 

[Mike Evans is a Nice Guy]

I voted to tank.

 

[BreesusSaves]

TACOES.

I want the Saints to win out, but not for a chance at the playoffs.

If Rizzi can cement himself as a serious Head Coach this year by winning all his games, that will be way more important for the long term success of the Saints. It avoids the rat race of everyone fighting for Ben Johnson and the other one or two top tier candidates with everyone else hoping the guy that wasn't their first pick, or that retread, or some past their prime hire will work.

Yes, there will be risks with having a HC who isn't an expert in Xs and Os on offense or defense, but if a guy wins eight straight games in the NFL as the interim, that's serious. You have to take a chance on him because he's shown he's a winner. Period.

 

[Grumpy Old Manatee]

I guess the middle option most fits me. There’s nothing I can do to control the outcomes, so I’ll just spend more time on all the other stresses in my life that I can have some effect on.

 

[Winter]

We might be able to afford one more loss and still make the post season. And there are a couple legitimate tests to see if Rizzi has really turned this team on or just caught a wave of momentum. This Rams game is going to answer a lot of questions. With them losing to the Eagles, and their division race being so close, this would be a serious victory if the Saints can pull it off. Especially coming off the bye. The Saints haven't beat a legitimate, playoff caliber team since Payton left.

Its a long shot for playoffs but still fun to dream and have some care in the other game's results. The main thing I'm watching for is how Rizzi finishes out the season and whether or not he's the guy that should be a serious candidate for the HC job. Otherwise, with Washington, GB and TB on the schedule, Saints have the chance to play spoiler. I'm not worried about the draft. Going from pick 12 to pick 8 in one draft isn't going to turn the franchise around.

 

[SWJJ]

We might be able to afford one more loss and still make the post season. And there are a couple legitimate tests to see if Rizzi has really turned this team on or just caught a wave of momentum. This Rams game is going to answer a lot of questions. With them losing to the Eagles, and their division race being so close, this would be a serious victory if the Saints can pull it off. Especially coming off the bye. The Saints haven't beat a legitimate, playoff caliber team since Payton left.

Its a long shot for playoffs but still fun to dream and have some care in the other game's results. The main thing I'm watching for is how Rizzi finishes out the season and whether or not he's the guy that should be a serious candidate for the HC job. Otherwise, with Washington, GB and TB on the schedule, Saints have the chance to play spoiler. I'm not worried about the draft. Going from pick 12 to pick 8 in one draft isn't going to turn the franchise around.

I dont think 9-8 makes a wild card, and I dont think we win the division at 9-8.

We need to win out to make the playoffs.

 

[Paul]

I guess the middle option most fits me. There’s nothing I can do to control the outcomes, so I’ll just spend more time on all the other stresses in my life that I can have some effect on.

The fact that you’re a manatee that has internet access and types in perfect English - I can’t even imagine the stress you deal with. Having to hide your talents from humans and I’m sure the other manatees are seething with jealousy. I see you, GOM, I see you.

 

[Winter]

I dont think 9-8 makes a wild card, and I dont think we win the division at 9-8.

We need to win out to make the playoffs.

Mathematically we still can, but I agree.