Reassessment of expectations (1 Viewer)

[WallyBB]

In my view, if you win your division you are a Super Bowl contender, full stop. Anything can happen, and things change in the season so once you get to the playoffs, it's a clean slate. I also think a strong wild card team can be considered a Super Bowl contender, it is about context.

As it stands now, the Saints look like a Super Bowl contender, so that's what I selected. Two of the best three teams in the NFC in terms of performance this year have been the Saints and the Bucs, so if you end up a wild card team under one of the best teams in the NFC, then you are also a Super Bowl contender.

I had a 12 win ceiling on the team this year, with an 8 win floor. I think thats still the range unless they make it out of their brutal first 6 games with 2 or more wins. If that happens I think it creeps up to something like 10-13.

 

[Madmarsha]

I voted wild card team. I think we get in, but i’m worried about the Bucs when it comes to our division. They look pretty tough as well.

I am thinking a thing but I don't want to say a thing. I'll spoiler it.

I just have this little thought in my brain that Tampa is going to start looking weaker through the season as we are looking stronger

 

[St. Widge]

I saw them as a 9 win team that could go either way. If things went wrong with the early season schedule as a result of the OL struggling early they could have been a 7 or 8 win team (or even 6 if the locker room turned due to the losing early in the season). But, if things went right with the OL and injuries, I thought they could be a 10 or 11 win team.

This early season success has moved up my expectations some. I now see them as a likely 10 or 11 win team that gets into the playoffs and has a shot to win a game or two. But, I think they lack the depth and another weapon or two on either side of the ball to be a Super Bowl contender. Still I hope I'm wrong and if you get hot in the playoffs, you never know what can happen.

 

[saint_drago]

Really strong idea for a poll. A reassessment of expectations was needed. I'm struggling to process how good this team has been through two weeks. I wasn't ready for this at all. I was expecting some improvement by default by good god on a golf cart, I wasn't expecting this.

I went with the division champ option. I'm going to hold off on the Super Bowl talk for at least one more game. If we drop another 40 something on the Eagles then yeah, we're probably going to win the whole damn thing.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Any thoughts on our division? Are we your favorites?

We can win the division but TB has won it 3 years running so you have to respect them right? I voted Wild Card team, still need to see more b4 I consider us dangerous. I'm worried about our receiving depth and depth in general. It's a long season and an injury to more than one of our move guys (Taysom, Kamara, Shaheed) could handcuff the offense.

Were dealing with one already and I'm curious to see how the offense adjusts.

 

[St. Widge]

I'll also say that I am trying to temper expectations for myself to avoid disappointment later. The way they look right now they are a Super Bowl contender and look like a 12 or 13 win team. But, it's a long season, injuries happen, teams adjust to what you are doing, and this team doesn't have a lot of depth. Still this is a very good coaching staff so maybe they can make those backups play at a higher level than I think.

 

[Deuuuuce]

We can win the division but TB has won it 3 years running so you have to respect them right? I voted Wild Card team, still need to see more b4 I consider us dangerous. I'm worried about our receiving depth and depth in general. It's a long season and an injury to more than one of our move guys (Taysom, Kamara, Shaheed) could handcuff the offense.

Were dealing with one already and I'm curious to see how the offense adjust.

I’m worried about Taysom’s injury for sure. No one else can fill all of the the roles he plays. It is also interesting that Tipton the rookie looks like the 3rd receiver for now. I don’t know if it will stay that way but it sort of speaks to the depth issue you’re talking about.

 

[DeuceMcAllisterFan]

I'll need 5 weeks of data before I can realistically make a prediction. We started 2-0 last year so that keeps me grounded.

The first test was Dallas and they passed with flying colors. The first 4 weeks are generally filled with teams catching the league off guard and they will usually fall back down to earth once teams have enough tape/data to scheme against. While I'm cautiously optimistic based on what we've seen, I want to see how Kubiak/Allen and the team manages when they figure out our tendencies and slow our offense down.

Still a lot of football left.

 

[SweetT]

We are Super Bowl contenders until our deficiencies rear their ugly head. If things go like they are now, then it’s Super Bowl. If we find ourselves needing to rely on a WR3, or better/consistent TE production, then kiss the Super Bowl goodbye. Which, these problems will arise, so the next man up better be ready. As of right now, we have yet to rely on those two, so I can not say definitively that we have those problems solved

 

[SaintsFanInLA]

I'm hopeful but it's still waaaay too early. I remember us staring 5-0 then losing like 8 to 10 straight games years ago. Too much football left to know for sure. We've seen teams start hot and fizzle, start slow and get hot, start hot and get hot, etc... We just don't know. Injuries, crazy officiating, more stuff on film for other teams to study and figure things out about us can all have a huge impact on us.

Last year we missed the playoffs due to a tie-breaker. We look demonstrably better, so I'm hoping we make it this season.

 

[Saint KayBee]

I'm hopeful but it's still waaaay too early. I remember us staring 5-0 then losing like 8 to 10 straight games years ago.

That happened in 1993

1993.

Thirty-one years ago.

Too much football left to know for sure. We've seen teams start hot and fizzle, start slow and get hot, start hot and get hot, etc... We just don't know. Injuries, crazy officiating, more stuff on film for other teams to study and figure things out about us can all have a huge impact on us.

Last year we missed the playoffs due to a tie-breaker. We look demonstrably better, so in hoping we make it this season.

 

[HouseCall]

Still a juggernaut schedule to open the season and a lot to unravel as to the ability to sustain this kind of success - but you have to feel like this is at minimum a playoff team.

I’d feel better if the Bucs didn’t also look so good the first two weeks - but I’m thrilled that the Saints are fun again.

 

[SaintsFanInLA]

That happened in 1993

1993.

Thirty-one years ago.

Maybe I'm not understanding your point. No shade but what does it being 31 years ago do to my point about it happening in our history?

 

[St4ever]

I’m going to stick to my guns with my original prediction.
Undefeated, Super Bowl Champs!

If you gonna dream, dream big until you wake up.

 

[fishing4food]

Since the start of the season, I haven't dozed off once sitting in my recliner. during the game It sure is nice to have something to cheer about again. If the team stays healthy, a 13 win season is and taking the division is doable. We have to keep an on the Bucs. They're a solid team.