Match Up Know Who To Pull For (KWTPF), Week 3, 2023 (1 Viewer)

[ndcc]

Well, here we are at Week 3. As you've noticed, I'm not the Dotless One (St Dude), nor am I the infamous "Bill" ...oh, wait. I go by NDCC, but my first name also happens to be Bill. Welp, that and 50-cents might get you a cup of coffee.

For those new to KWTPF, it is a pretty straightforward thread. Week by week, we kick the can around and discuss which teams, should they win or lose, will help the Saints. There's nothing scientific about it, but here are a few things that should remain consistent every week:

1. AFC facing any NFC team... pull for the AFC team. This is going to be true during the first half of the season, but very rarely, something quirky might make us want to pull for the NFC team. It would only come into play if it affects seeding for the playoffs (or potential draft pick). Confused? Don't be, because we won't think about NOT pulling for the AFC opponent until late in the season. Again, for now, AFC vs. any NFC team... pull for the AFC team.

2. AFC facing another AFC team... we really don't care (as Saints fans). Now, if you have a favorite, by all means pull for them. For example: Many WhoDats like to pull for the Bengals because Joe Burrow is their QB. Bottom line: Do whatever floats your boat.

3. NFC team facing another NFC South team: Pull for the non-NFCS team. Early in the year, this will hold true. But later in the year, as teams are jockeying for potential playoff spots, there is a "method to the madness" in pulling for one team or the other. In fact, later in the season, there may be a chance that we're pulling FOR another NFCS team if it can help the Saints in postseason seeding. As the season goes along, we'll point these things out MATCHUP-by-MATCHUP.

With that, here are the games of interest for the Saints. Note: I will not list any AFC vs. AFC matchups in the KWTPF discussion:

WEEK THREE (3):​

Thu. Sep 21st
NY Giants (1-1) @ SF 49ers (2-0): The 49'ers have started this season with two impressive wins, and appear to be the real deal. We need the Giants to move them down a notch. PULL FOR THE GIANTS.

Sun. Sep 24th
Atlanta Falcons (2-0) @ Detroit Lions (1-1): The Falcons, as a division rival of the Saints, are who we are NOT pulling for! PULL FOR THE LIONS.

San Diego Chargers (0-2) @ Minnesota Vikings (0-2): Both teams are looking for their first win. But since the Vikings are an NFC team, we must PULL FOR THE CHARGERS.

Buffalo Bills (1-1) @ Washington Commanders (0-2): Easy pickins, since the Commanders are an NFC team. PULL FOR THE BILLS.

Carolina Panthers (0-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (1-1): This one is a bit tricky, since the Seahawks may be more of a threat as the season moves ahead. However, since we are still early in the season, we need to pull against our division rival. PULL FOR THE SEAHAWKS.

Dallas Cowboys (2-0) @ Arizona Cardinals (0-2): Dallas has gotten out of the gates fast this season, and are currently rated as the #1 team in the entire NFL. This one could get very ugly for the Cardinals, since they seem to be outmatched in every phase of the game. Even so, we want to PULL FOR THE CARDINALS to pull off an unlikely upset.

Chicago Bears (0-2) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-1): Kansas City should cover the spread in this one. Of course, we want them to beat this NFC team. PULL FOR THE CHIEFS.

New Orleans Saints (2-0) @ Green Bay Packers (1-1): Saints open as a 2 point underdog in this one. That means, the game would be even if it was on a neutral field. This is the Saints second consecutive road game, and they are starting to believe in themselves. We know the growing pains that the offensive line has gone through, and it won't be any easier with this week's formidable opponent. But on the bright side, the O-line has been under the microscope for 2 weeks, and they have moved to correct areas where they appear to be vulnerable. Marcus Maye is suspended for three games, and it's next-man-up in the secondary. The Saints' D-line has been kicking arse, and could become even better. Why haven't I been talking about the Packers? It's because this game will hinge on what our boys go out and do. The Packers aren't a scrub team, and this matchup will show what the Saints are truly made of! Without a doubt, PULL FOR THE SAINTS.

Mon Sep 25th
Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0): Tampa is a mild surprise early this season. Baker Mayfield is overachieving right now, but we believe that the Eagles will bring him and his team back to earth. Looking at this one more carefully, it could be one that would be to the Saints' advantage if the Bucs win. But each and every season the priorities are: FIRST: Win your division, then go for other goals that are attainable. For this reason we say: PULL FOR THE EAGLES.

Los Angeles Rams (1-1) @ Cincinnati Bengals (0-2): Joe Burrow has not played up to par thus far, but he is definitely one who always rises to the occasion when the bright lights are on. In this case, he and his team will be under the lights of Monday Night Football. Without a doubt, we want to PULL FOR THE BENGALS to beat the Rams. "Who Dey!"

Again, this is early in the season, and things will take better shape once we get beyond week 5 or so. In the meantime, let's pull for our boys in the BLACK AND GOLD!

Who Dat!

 

[Artifactual]

First I want to say Thank You to (OP) NDCC for posting this thread. I saw you posted it in week 1 but I didn't see it in week 2. The KWTPF thread was started on this site years ago by St Dude, who always had some witty brain tiks leading into the subject at hand. In his absence "Bill" has carried the torch for this thread subject the past few years, and he too has done a fantastic job. Again I Thank You All!

I was a 9 year old kid when John Gilliam ran the opening kickoff back 94 yards for a touchdown on the very first play in franchise history against the Los Angeles Rams. I was forever hooked on the Saints.

In 1970 the NFL and the AFL merged and with realignment the league created 2 conferences with 3 divisions in each. They added the first "Wildcard " playoff spot to the postseason. The 3 division winners qualified and the team in each conference that had the best record without winning a division also qualified. The playoffs then had 8 teams. Through the years the league has expanded and added additional Wildcard teams to the playoffs. Now there are a total of 12 teams that qualify.

11 years passed from that initial kickoff return with no hope of making the playoffs as the Saints were always mathematically eliminated from the post season by mid season. 1978 was the 1st season that the Saints were close enough throughout the year to give hope of a playoff appearance. I was then a 20 year old with a better understanding of mathematics, possibilities, and probabilities. That for me was when I began to look at the entire league schedule in early November and start the process of Knowing Who To Pull For. Some members here believe in the tradition of waiting to mid season to start KWTPF. I now believe in starting this process from week 1 and onward throughout the season. IMHO all games matter one way or the other.

In regards to the games included herein I differ on 2 that I will be pulling for. While I agree with the standard rules of thought for KWTPF I consider some other factors to apply this early in the season. Pulling for the opponent against one of our division foes later in the year is a no brainer. However, this early in the year it's already obvious that Carolina won't be a threat to win our division. I think Seattle stands a better chance of challenging for a playoff spot at years end. I also think it best to have our division opponents win a few games so they are not picking at the top of the draft, but not enough to challenge for a playoff spot. Therefore, I will be pulling for the Panthers to win ugly against the Seahawks.

A little trickier is another game involving a division opponent with a match up of the Buccaneers against the Eagles. There is little doubt that the Eagles are a formidable team that more than likely will either win their division or be in the hunt for a Wildcard spot. A loss here could effect seeding come playoff time. The Buccaneers, while being our division opponent and also 2-0 are driven by a Studebaker. I don't think they will hold up all year long to that standard. QB Mayfield has overplayed his hand to this point. I don't believe he can do it week in and week out. We have 2 chances to knock them down with one coming at home next week. With that said, I would rather the Buccaneers play terrible but somehow win on a fluke play.

Each week the picture gets clearer. By the end of week 6 there will be several elite teams, several bottom feeders, and a larger group in the middle. It's a long season. As D.A. said, Keep Stacking Them!

 

[Madmarsha]

I've always appreciated the KWTPF as a sort of fan remedial aide playoff tracker as the season goes along and things get trickier. Only time I can remember it not being necessary to go through all the machinations was in 2009, as the Saints got to 13-0 in December and locked everything up so that no miracle scenarios were needed. That was certainly refreshing but I admit it is kind of fun watching to see which other games "go our way".

That probably won't happen so ..

 

[ndcc]

Here’s to the Saints in sole possession of 1st place (NFCS) after this weekend, with even loftier goals in their sights beyond that!

 

[ShadowMan]

I enjoy these threads so much, Thank you for doing this!!