Playoffs, we're talking about playoffs.
First the good news.
The Saints finished the season with a remarkable 11 – 5 record,
completing their regular season turn around from three straight 7 – 9 records.
They won the super tough NFC South which yielded both wild card teams in the NFC.
They get a home play-off game.
They won the super tough NFC South which yielded both wild card teams in the NFC.
They get a home play-off game.
They have the probable defensive Rookie of the Year in Marshon Lattimore.
They have the probable offensive Rookie of the Year in Alvin Kamara.
Kamara and Mark Ingram became the first pair of running backs to each have 1500 yards from scrimmage.
Kamara ran back a kick for a touchdown Sunday, joining Gale Sayers as the only rookies to ever have at least 5 rushing, 5 receiving, and 1 return touchdown. It also just happened to be the longest return in Saints history.
Drew Brees set an NFL record for completion percentage at 72%, and is now third on the all-time yardage list behind New Orleanian Peyton Manning, and Kilnian Brett Favre having gone over 70,000 yards. About 40 miles I figure. Pretty amazing.
Michael Thomas caught more passes in his first two seasons than any other pass receiver in history.
Cameron Jordan may be the Defensive player of the year.
Their draft, all of whom made the team, may be the best single draft of all time.
Best good news: I’ll probably get out of the prognostication business. I was none too happy after the draft as I assumed the Saints had just had their worse draft ever, mainly because they hadn’t addressed their need of an edge rusher (a weakness I still think will cost them). Let’s just say Mel Kiper won’t be making room for me on the panel anytime soon.
Then, there’s my Gruden rematch Super Bowl picks of Tampa Bay vs. Oakland who can now officially blame me for their awful seasons.
They have the probable offensive Rookie of the Year in Alvin Kamara.
Kamara and Mark Ingram became the first pair of running backs to each have 1500 yards from scrimmage.
Kamara ran back a kick for a touchdown Sunday, joining Gale Sayers as the only rookies to ever have at least 5 rushing, 5 receiving, and 1 return touchdown. It also just happened to be the longest return in Saints history.
Drew Brees set an NFL record for completion percentage at 72%, and is now third on the all-time yardage list behind New Orleanian Peyton Manning, and Kilnian Brett Favre having gone over 70,000 yards. About 40 miles I figure. Pretty amazing.
Michael Thomas caught more passes in his first two seasons than any other pass receiver in history.
Cameron Jordan may be the Defensive player of the year.
Their draft, all of whom made the team, may be the best single draft of all time.
Best good news: I’ll probably get out of the prognostication business. I was none too happy after the draft as I assumed the Saints had just had their worse draft ever, mainly because they hadn’t addressed their need of an edge rusher (a weakness I still think will cost them). Let’s just say Mel Kiper won’t be making room for me on the panel anytime soon.
Then, there’s my Gruden rematch Super Bowl picks of Tampa Bay vs. Oakland who can now officially blame me for their awful seasons.
Now the bad news.
The Saints needed help from their good friends the Atlanta Falcons Sunday to win the division. Atlanta beat Carolina to ensure their own playoff spot.
While they were doing that, The Saints were giving up a final minute touchdown to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to lose a game they had in their back pocket.
After the game there was a not-to-classy exchange between Sean Payton and Bucs coach Dirk Diggler, or whatever his name is. Not Sean’s best moment, but we will have to face the fact that he’s not the nicest guy in the world, which is fortunately not a football coach requirement.
The Saints needed help from their good friends the Atlanta Falcons Sunday to win the division. Atlanta beat Carolina to ensure their own playoff spot.
While they were doing that, The Saints were giving up a final minute touchdown to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to lose a game they had in their back pocket.
After the game there was a not-to-classy exchange between Sean Payton and Bucs coach Dirk Diggler, or whatever his name is. Not Sean’s best moment, but we will have to face the fact that he’s not the nicest guy in the world, which is fortunately not a football coach requirement.
So what’s ahead for the Saints? Well let’s hope a tidy little 4 game winning
streak.
It will have to start with a 3rd victory over Carolina, a difficult proposition. It’s hard to beat any team 3 times in one year, but the Saints will have a Superdome crowd to help. Then, they will likely have to win two on the road, where they haven’t set the world on fire this year. If my “it takes a great quarterback to win” theory holds true (don’t make any wagers) wouldn’t conference finals of Brees vs. Matt Ryan (in the dome) and Brady vs. Roethlisberger be an enjoyable Sunday in January?
It will have to start with a 3rd victory over Carolina, a difficult proposition. It’s hard to beat any team 3 times in one year, but the Saints will have a Superdome crowd to help. Then, they will likely have to win two on the road, where they haven’t set the world on fire this year. If my “it takes a great quarterback to win” theory holds true (don’t make any wagers) wouldn’t conference finals of Brees vs. Matt Ryan (in the dome) and Brady vs. Roethlisberger be an enjoyable Sunday in January?
Maybe this cold weather is prepping us for a Minneapolis trip
early in February?
Who's in?
Who's in?
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