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First things first: 0-2 is not where we wanted to be after games against 2 beatable opponents. That being said, the following points are also worth considering.
- The total margin of victory for those 2 games is 4 points. The Saints competed in both games, so there's plenty there to build on.
- The offense shined against the Raiders. The defense shined against the Giants. The two main pieces are there, the staff and the team just needs to find a way to put them together and play complementary football.
- The Bucs, Falcons, and Panthers are all 1-1. That puts the Saints one game back with an entire season to go. We're in a hole, but it's a shallow one. Take care of business in our division games against three teams that have already shown they can be beaten, and that's all it takes.
Of course, it's not all sunshine and daisies. Injuries are already piling up. The rest of the division, while flawed, are no pushovers. And I think it's safe to say that this team has a confidence problem.
Do I think that the team will turn it around and race to a 14-2 finish? Of course not. This team has shown flashes that would indicate that it could end up in a battle for top of the NFC South, but also exposed its flaws that could lead to another disappointing sub-8-win season. At this point, it's anyone's guess really, and it's totally up to the staff and players to show what kind of season they want to have.
So where does that leave you and me?
Personally, I'm going to enjoy each win, however sparse or narrow they might be. As for the inevitable losses that will come our way this year, here's my advice: Take a moment to look around at the people you're watching the game with. Your family, friends, that random guy that you don't know but shares your passion for the Black & Gold. Take a moment and realize that whatever the numbers on the scoreboard are when the clock hits 00:00, you're alive. You're alive, and you just got to spend three hours watching Saints football with people you love and the rest of the greatest fanbase in the NFL. Eat, drink, laugh, and cheer. That's what football is all about.
- The total margin of victory for those 2 games is 4 points. The Saints competed in both games, so there's plenty there to build on.
- The offense shined against the Raiders. The defense shined against the Giants. The two main pieces are there, the staff and the team just needs to find a way to put them together and play complementary football.
- The Bucs, Falcons, and Panthers are all 1-1. That puts the Saints one game back with an entire season to go. We're in a hole, but it's a shallow one. Take care of business in our division games against three teams that have already shown they can be beaten, and that's all it takes.
Of course, it's not all sunshine and daisies. Injuries are already piling up. The rest of the division, while flawed, are no pushovers. And I think it's safe to say that this team has a confidence problem.
Do I think that the team will turn it around and race to a 14-2 finish? Of course not. This team has shown flashes that would indicate that it could end up in a battle for top of the NFC South, but also exposed its flaws that could lead to another disappointing sub-8-win season. At this point, it's anyone's guess really, and it's totally up to the staff and players to show what kind of season they want to have.
So where does that leave you and me?
Personally, I'm going to enjoy each win, however sparse or narrow they might be. As for the inevitable losses that will come our way this year, here's my advice: Take a moment to look around at the people you're watching the game with. Your family, friends, that random guy that you don't know but shares your passion for the Black & Gold. Take a moment and realize that whatever the numbers on the scoreboard are when the clock hits 00:00, you're alive. You're alive, and you just got to spend three hours watching Saints football with people you love and the rest of the greatest fanbase in the NFL. Eat, drink, laugh, and cheer. That's what football is all about.
