It's been 7 years since a team made the Super Bowl without a 1st Round bye. And it gets worse. (2 Viewers)

[superchuck500]

Odds schmodds

 

[mdharper]

This year, there's not much separating the top six to eight teams. The Super Bowl is wide open, so there's a good chance that a first week player winds up as champion. Most seasons there's a bigger divide between the teams with a bye and the withouts. That's the primary reason the teams with a bye usually win.

 

[BiloxiSaint1]

And if we are the #3 seed, so be it. This team can beat anyone, anywhere. I'd love to go play the 49ers in SF.

I agree.

Looking at matchups and probable teams to make it out of the wildcard round this season, I really like the #2 or #3 seed to be honest. #2 is preferred of course because of one less game to play. For me the one less game is not only the rest factor but more importantly the injury risk that comes from playing one extra game.

If Saints are #3, a win on wildcard weekend against the #6 seed (Vikings) at the Dome will send them on the road to play the Packers - that's much better IMO than going on the road the second game and playing the Niners coming off 2 weeks rest - which is what the #4 seed and below will face IF the Saints end up #3 seed.

If the Saints get the #2 with the Packers #1, the Saints rest 2 weeks and probably play the #3 Seahawks in the Dome. In this scenario (Saints #2 seed), the more likely divisional playoff would have the Niners (if #5) play the Packers (if #1) - which could set up nicely for a NFCCG in the Dome against the Niners if the Saints win against the Seahawks in the Dome.

Finally, if the Saints get the #2 seed because of a Lions win over the Packers (not likely), the Saints likely play the Packers in the Dome for the divisional and could play the Niners on the road for the NFCCG or the Seahawks in the Dome for the NFCCG.

I think I got all those correct. Lol

 

[cadman70454]

Since the modern playoff format was introduced, 79% of Super Bowl participants got the bye.

Every week announcers tell us stuff like, this kicker hasn't missed an extra point in 87 years. Then he misses his first one. Then later in the game he misses his second one. Before 2010 no team with a losing record had ever won a playoff spot. The 7-9 Seahawks beat the 11-5 Saints in the Wild Card playoff game. That's how statistics work. They are not facts.

 

[Saint Spud]

Every week announcers tell us stuff like, this kicker hasn't missed an extra point in 87 years. Then he misses his first one. Then later in the game he misses his second one. Before 2010 no team with a losing record had ever won a playoff spot. The 7-9 Seahawks beat the 11-5 Saints in the Wild Card playoff game. That's how statistics work. They are not facts.

Sure. But the “misses” stand out more. Why? Because they’re the outliers.

I would much prefer to have the odds in our favor compared to needing to rely on being an outlier.

 

[FGE413]

Of all the Payton-Brees era teams, this one may be the best equipped to win a cold weather game. We can run the ball, we can play D, and we almost never throw the deep ball anymore.

If our chances of making the SB depended on a big time performance from Kirk Cousins in prime time, then our chances dropped exponentially before the game was even played.

But look, we ARE a GOOD road team this year. Yes, if we have to play in a blizzard in GB, that's not good, but otherwise I think playing on the road is just a manageable hurdle.

 

[BBarnes]

I love things like this.

It’s kinda like:

“There’s never been a team lose their final three games and make the SB”

We’ve been known to shatter these common tendencies

 

[ndcc]

Let's put it another way (for all the Negative Nancys & Debbie Downers):

If, hypothetically, you were a NEUTRAL team having a chance to play any of the six (6) playoff teams (49'ers, Seahawks, Saints, Vikings, Packers or Eagles/Cowboys), which team would you say has the best roster (starters & backups) in all 3 phases of the game.

If you pick any team other than the Saints... put the pipe down and get some oxygen to the brain.

I don't just like our chances, I LOVE our chances this year!

WhoDat!!!

 

[Saint Taysom]

The Saints are good enough to beat the Vikings, beat the Packers @ Green Bay, and beat the 49ers @ San Fran... I’m certain of that.

The refs and the Saints themselves are their biggest threats to another heartbreaking end coming our way.

 

[Seapea]

I've been known to be a negative fan about my Saints for a while when it comes to this, but I feel strangely good about them being on the road for the playoffs. For some strange reason this team just plays better away from home, better yet I feel like that "unstoppable home field advantage" crap got to their heads and is the reason why they've played sloppy in the dome n recent memory.

It's nice to have the 1 seed or a bye but we're not getting anything lower than the 3. Enjoy the ride and whatever happens happens, after two heartbreaking meme/jobbings I'm ready for anything.

 

[Icon]

1-5 on the road and that took the greatness of Drew Brees to pull that lone win out in Philly.

Did you actually watch that game?

Brees was 20 of 30 for 250 yards.....1 TD and 2 INTs.

While Brees did play a much better 2nd half than 1st.......and had some timely QB sneaks........you're underselling what Ingram and Khiry Robinson did if you're gonna put all that on Brees.

 

[AgnesT]

No way in hell we are winning 4 games in the playoffs. We aren't built for it.

1-5 on the road and that took the greatness of Drew Brees to pull that lone win out in Philly.

Why so much optimism? Saints might as well quit right now.

 

[showstopper]

2005 Pittsburgh was the 6th seed and won it all.

 

[Swimmer]

I think we should all go to Pat Os and commit mass suicide - lol or celebrate 13-3 without Brees for 6 games

 

[DABOOT162]

Never been a fan of stats like this. It was also 60 something years before we won our first super bowl... just sayin.