Speculate: Path to the Super Bowl (1 Viewer)

[SaintsW1n]

I know, I know. We're not even guaranteed a spot in the playoffs at this point. But it's the bye week, I'm bored, and I feel like speculating.

Here's a realistic recipe for getting back to the big game:

1) lock up the #3 seed, host and beat NYG/DAL/ATL in the wild card round
2) Head to San Fran for the divisional round and show them the postseason "exit" door

Then .....

a) go to Lambeau for the NFCCG and ruin the Packers' season

Or ....

b) hope that the Bears clinch the #5 seed, beat either DAL or NYG in the wild card round, then go to GB and upset their rivals in the divisional round ....

ultimately resulting in the NFCCG in the Dome: Bears @ Saints, 2006 NFCCG rematch.

WUG SaintsReport?

 

[bornnraisedwhodat]

We'd be gassed out by the time we get to Lambeau.

Man Im just hoping for a miracle that we can land a 1st round bye.

 

[SaintsW1n]

Man Im just hoping for a miracle that we can land a 1st round bye.

I looked at that possibility. Basically, we have to win out and the 49ers have to lose 3 of 7.

They are @Bal and home vs. Pitt, but the rest of their games are all vs the NFC West.

Even if we end up with the same record, they'll almost certainly win the tiebreaker (conference record).

 

[TheDeuce53]

We'd be gassed out by the time we get to Lambeau.

Man Im just hoping for a miracle that we can land a 1st round bye.

Green Bay did it last year with the #6 seed. But I agree that getting a first round bye is very important.

 

[SaintsMan209]

Sean Payton and company should be doing their homework on any of the unknown teams (SF)/DALLAS right now. That way we don't need the bye. We'll most likely have done on homework on all the other teams because we've already played them. Also, if is out of our reach then we can use the week before the playoffs start to rest our guys since we'll already have the division locked up.

 

[Sarcastic]

Gonna have to play 3 games and 2 on the road...don't see any other way around it

 

[SaintsW1n]

Gonna have to play 3 games and 2 on the road...don't see any other way around it

I know it seems like an extreme longshot, but Bears @ Packers in the divisional could produce an upset.

So hypothetically, we could go home-road-home.

 

[bornnraisedwhodat]

Green Bay did it last year with the #6 seed. But I agree that getting a first round bye is very important.

Yeah, Im not saying we cant do it. I just know our Saints. Thats a tough stretch to have to continue to play at a high level.

 

[Bartyboy]

b.) Its not whether or not Saints could do it it is can the Bears do it?
If Bears or any other wild card team wins their first playoff game then they would play GB next. If that team beats GB then they would play the winner of Saints second game
Saints playoff schedule would be other wild card team at home, SF in SF then winner of the GB game and the Bears.
Do you like it?
Do you love it?

I love it.

 

[Saint Droopy]

1. GB (Of course...)
2. SF (I don't see them losing any of their division games, which is why they'll get the #2 seed, but we'll see)
3. NO - (Man we could use a 1st round bye, but a playoff game in the Dome won't hurt)
4. Dallas (I hate these bums, but with them having a soft schedule down the stretch, and NYG running thru the gauntlet... I can see these scrubs winning the East)
5. Chicago (They're alot tougher now that they actually have an identity on offense)
6. ATL (I think they'll get in... I hope they don't so that their fanbase can implode, but they'll get in)

Wildcard weekend

ATL at NO - Yeah we'll whoop their *** for the 3rd time
Chicago at Dallas - Bears will send those bums home

Div Playoffs

NO at SF - Will be a tough game offensively, but we'll score enough points, and the defense will come up with 1 more Big Play than the 9ers, and we'll prevail

Chi at GB - The bears will look for redemption from last year's NFCCG, but they won't be able to stop GB on the game winning drive to win by a FG.

NFC Championship game

NO at GB - TBC...

 

[SWJJ]

I agree right now I'd expect host Dallas, to San Fran, to green bay.

 

[Brad01]

We'd be gassed out by the time we get to Lambeau.

Man Im just hoping for a miracle that we can land a 1st round bye.

Even without clinching a bye, there's a good chance the Saints could have the #3 seed wrapped up before week 17. If that happens and there is no shot at the #1 or 2 seeds by then, I would expect most of the key starters to sit that final game against the Panthers. So basically that week would be treated as a bye and/or preseason game.

As for the playoffs... if the Saints do not finish with a bye, I'm pulling for a rematch with the Bears. I think they're the best matchup for the Saints. They pose absolutely no threat in the passing game to take advantage of Shanle, Dunbar, or Harper. And their propensity to run 7 step drops plays right into Gregg Williams's hands.

Their defense is also straight forward and doesn't blitz much. Great QBs take advantage of that.

 

[DallasRene]

Cowboys over GB and Saints over SF in the Divisional round. Saints over Cowboys in the Dome for the NFCCG.

 

[Rekyht]

Having just found out I have an exam on the 16th, Whichever route makes the Saints game on the 14th of January as opposed to the 15th...

(I'm from the UK, and 8pm ET = 1AM GMT, This plus an exam the next day, is a bad, bad combination!)

 

[jbourque]

Cowboys over GB and Saints over SF in the Divisional round. Saints over Cowboys in the Dome for the NFCCG.

Yes, Yes and more Yes!