We will (probably) know within the next 7 weeks (1 Viewer)

[Bill]

I am in that group who still can't fathom how the Saints can only be 4-4 with the kind of schedule we were given for the first 8 weeks of this season. It would be easy to point out the small handful of breakdowns that legitimately cost the Saints 2 or 3 additional victories during that stretch. But for the most part that's just a common tactic that is used to convince yourself (and/or others) that a team is better than they really are. 'You are what your record says you are.'

The next 6 games (in 7 weeks) will almost certainly tell the tale as to whether there is any real hope for our Saints to not only win the NFC South, but also to make a big splash in the playoffs this season. An important factor in our next two games will be the question of the health of the opposing quarterbacks. While Justin Fields will almost certainly be ready to start in the Superdome next week, the Achilles tear suffered by Kirk Cousins will likely have him sidelined for most or all of the remaining 2023 season. (Injuries are bad. )

Then in between the Vikings & Falcons road games, the Saints will get an extra week to lick their nagging injuries during our scheduled BYE week. Even though December will start off with big test at home against the Lions, the following two home games against the Panthers & Giants should paint a clear picture of where our team is going this season. (Or, where they deserve to go.)

While it's said that counting eggs and expecting the same amount of chickens is unwise, it's hard to imagine that anything worse than a 4-2 record during that span could ever be interpreted as an improving team who is ready for the playoffs. Frankly the Saints must do no worse than 5-1 in order to assume that we've turned any sort of 'corner' in our development as a potential contender.

I know; I know... 'One game at a time'; yada, yada, yada. But I can't help but feel that with the hand that we have been dealt during this part of our schedule, by the end of the Giants game we won't have to ask if we are a playoff caliber team. By then we will know.

 

[dutar76]

Finishing 12-5 would mean that we figured it out and we finally have the team we expected coming into this season.

Finishing 11-6 would mean that we figured it out and it's "okay" to get our hopes up a little for at least a "any given Sunday" playoff run.

Finishing 10-7 would mean we're better than we were, but still need some work. Probably good enough for a playoff appearance.

Finishing 9-8 would mean we are who we are, and not much hope. Possible playoff appearance with some help.

Finishing 8-9 or worse would mean we just aren't a good team, with plenty of ammo for the blame-game. Pick your narrative, pick your villains.

 

[Paul]

If they play like they did yesterday while still improving, then the Saints are a double-digit win team, hands-down. Consistent focus on improvement is the key, but that’s not easy for many teams.

 

[meily]

A Team cannot be figuring things out on offense during the season, that's why we are 4-4. Defense is top 5.

 

[tk421Saint]

It doesn't matter that our defense is in theory top 5, if our offense cannot consistently score.
Our defense will degrade if you keep giving the other team opportunities.

Look, I will always cheer for the Saints but let's not kid ourselves. We can of course make the playoffs being in the league's worst division, but we are not built to make a run.

The Saints are not a top 5-10 football club anytime soon. It's the coaching.

I love watching the Saints, but I can see what the league's top teams are doing. And we have not demonstrated it ANY WEEK this year or last year.

 

[Bill]

If they play like they did yesterday while still improving, then the Saints are a double-digit win team, hands-down. Consistent focus on improvement is the key, but that’s not easy for many teams.

But even with double digit wins the question still might be: Are we a double digit winning team because we are playoff caliber or are we a double digit winning team because of who we beat?

I don’t pretend to know the answer to that question, but I think a lot of the answer might depend more on HOW we won those games… not just who we managed to beat.

 

[dutar76]

A Team cannot be figuring things out on offense during the season, that's why we are 4-4. Defense is top 5.

A team can figure things out and improve during the season. With new training camp rules, more and more teams are doing this.

Its not ideal, and it should have been figured out a lot sooner, but our best hope is that what we are seeing is growth on the fly. If it is, then it's just in the nick of time.

 

[Paul]

But even with double digit wins the question still might be: Are we a double digit winning team because we are playoff caliber or are we a double digit winning team because of who we beat?

I don’t pretend to know the answer to that question, but I think a lot of the answer might depend more on HOW we won those games… not just who we managed to beat.

I think that people get too hung up on the “how” when it comes to wins. You can only play who is on your schedule and nobody is just going to sit back while you score 40 and put up 400 yards of offense every week. Your opponents are really trying to win and go somewhere too. Additionally, players, coaches, et. al are humans and WILL make mistakes in every game - they’re not robots.

Suppose the Saints go 11-6 and manage to beat some of the better teams in the playoffs with smart ball control and great defense, but all the games are close, nail-biters. In the end, they’re hoisting their 2nd Lombardi. How many people are going to say, “ well yeah they won it all, but….”?

Remember the Tom Brady/Randy Moss Patriots that went undefeated and lost the SB? They were trucking teams throughout the regular season. The 2011 Saints’ histroric offense that terrorized most of their opponents only to fall short in the playoffs? It was a pretty offense to watch but resulted in what? Records? Great.

You want, I want, we want this team to win it all and I know I can only speak for myself but I don’t care how they look doing it.

 

[St.Dan]

Finishing 12-5 would mean that we figured it out and we finally have the team we expected coming into this season.

Finishing 11-6 would mean that we figured it out and it's "okay" to get our hopes up a little for at least a "any given Sunday" playoff run.

Finishing 10-7 would mean we're better than we were, but still need some work. Probably good enough for a playoff appearance.

Finishing 9-8 would mean we are who we are, and not much hope. Possible playoff appearance with some help.

Finishing 8-9 or worse would mean we just aren't a good team, with plenty of ammo for the blame-game. Pick your narrative, pick your villains.

10-7 is the ceiling for the current roster, and that’s counting the outside of the roof as part of the ceiling

Carr, so far anyway, is only a slight upgrade over what we saw the past two seasons. He’s not accurate enough for the Saints to run the table, definitely. You’d have to have prime-era Brees under center for that to happen. 9-8 or even 10-7 is doable, but the passes thrown behind open receivers has to go away.

 

[Bill]

It doesn't matter that our defense is in theory top 5, if our offense cannot consistently score.
Our defense will degrade if you keep giving the other team opportunities.

Look, I will always cheer for the Saints but let's not kid ourselves. We can of course make the playoffs being in the league's worst division, but we are not built to make a run.

The Saints are not a top 5-10 football club anytime soon. It's the coaching.

I love watching the Saints, but I can see what the league's top teams are doing. And we have not demonstrated it ANY WEEK this year or last year.

There’s no doubt that the Saints must get better from a purely scoring standpoint. No doubt this is why many Saints fans are excited to see us roll up some impressive offensive stats the last 6 quarters.

Obviously what we saw yesterday must continue to improve as the season progresses to even consider this to be a positive trend. However, if the Saints DO show steady improvement on offense and handily win these upcoming games, it will be hard not to think that the staff and the players are turning the corner offensively and making it possible to contend with the better teams in the conference.

Let’s face it… we’ve already seen some pretty big upsets around the league this year. Crazy things can happen when all of our ‘weapons’ come to play with their season on the line. Who knows, by then Carr may have even learned a few things about how to make this offense rock!

It’s not likely, but it’s not impossible either!

 

[RJS]

A Team cannot be figuring things out on offense during the season, that's why we are 4-4. Defense is top 5.

The 49ers and Bengals were both 4-4 last year before "figuring things out". They both ended up in the conference championship game. It happens pretty frequently.

 

[OldTimeGamer1966]

It's the division games against the Falcons which are going to be tough and Tampa who has 1 game up against us and if they win it's a sweep and that could hurt.

I think it truly will be the division games that will seal the fate or help bring success this year.

 

[Bill]

I think that people get too hung up on the “how” when it comes to wins. You can only play who is on your schedule and nobody is just going to sit back while you score 40 and put up 400 yards of offense every week. Your opponents are really trying to win and go somewhere too. Additionally, players, coaches, et. al are humans and WILL make mistakes in every game - they’re not robots.

Suppose the Saints go 11-6 and manage to beat some of the better teams in the playoffs with smart ball control and great defense, but all the games are close, nail-biters. In the end, they’re hoisting their 2nd Lombardi. How many people are going to say, “ well yeah they won it all, but….”?

Remember the Tom Brady/Randy Moss Patriots that went undefeated and lost the SB? They were trucking teams throughout the regular season. The 2011 Saints’ histroric offense that terrorized most of their opponents only to fall short in the playoffs? It was a pretty offense to watch but resulted in what? Records? Great.

You want, I want, we want this team to win it all and I know I can only speak for myself but I don’t care how they look doing it.

You’re right, I personally don’t care how the Saints win. But all too often when a team squeaks by for a victory against a poor team it turns out to be ‘fool’s gold’, without the kind of production needed to win the big games that really count. Yes, I do value even those ‘cheap’ victories, because they ALL matter. But those kind of victories may not indicate the kind of team you really are.

For right now, no victory is cheap to me!

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

A Team cannot be figuring things out on offense during the season, that's why we are 4-4. Defense is top 5.

Plenty of teams do

 

[St4ever]

The whole plan is to be peaking at the beginnings of the playoffs