First of all let's acknowledge that this year's version of the Saints has won 10 games, after 3 consecutive years of the same losing 7-9 record. Given their schedule, and the incredibly poor performances in games 1 and 2, nobody in these parts was talking a 10 win season, the strong possibility of a playoff berth and the still alive possibility of winning the NFC South. Most people resigned themselves to another 7-9, maybe a 8-8, but not to many thought 10 or more. So for that we are thankful and congratulate the Saints for a strong turn-a-round.
Now with all that being said, who would have thought that a 10 win Saints team might be faced with a struggle to still win the South outright and still need to battle strong for a great seed in the playoffs? The NFC is stout this year so the Saints, even after victory # 10 can only secure their own destiny with wins over the next two weeks. The opponents will be the ever difficult Atlanta Falcons and the pesky but bad Tampa Bay Bucs.
The Saints got unexpectedly hot in rattling off 8 wins in a row after the sad looking 0-2 start. But lets go back to the last of those 8 victories, the exciting but alarming win over the Redskins. The comeback made for a great story and to hear fans talk about destiny. But reality was the Redskins outplayed the Saints for about 75% of that game. There were big plays, out of place defense and a lackluster offense until the end of the game. The positive of course is that the Saints had the stuff to still pull off the victory and keep themselves in red hot contention. But those red flags in some of the not so great parts of the game manifested themselves the following week in a loss to the Rams. The Rams are very good this year and losing to them, in L.A., in a game that was still in dispute is not all bad. But for week two in a row there were big plays surrendered on defense and some lethargic periods of ho-hum offense. Yet the Saints returned home and beat a good Carolina team for the 2nd time this season before the dreaded Thursday night loss against Atlanta. So here we sit at 9-4, 2 losses in the last 3 games and a tough fight against the Falcons that game them life and left a bunch of individual Saints injured.
Today's win against the Jets was once again the win we need on one hand, and another overall performance full of errors and a lack of sharpness and understanding that the foot must be down all the way on that playoff accelerator. 2 fumbles, 1 interception, points being taken off the board all do not bode well for finishing strong and whatever playoff appearance the Saints attain. Before we tangle with the Falcons again there better be a sharpening of the saw; some much needed improvements in execution and reeling in the turnover bug.
I think the Saints can win both of the final two which would lead to 12-4; an excellent season. But maybe they split these games and go 11-5; another excellent season. What the Saints can ill afford to do is lose these 2 and waste a 10-6 because that might not be enough. Sadly, the NFC is having a great year and already happy in are Philadelphia and Minnesota. The Rams are ahead of the Saints too, owning the tie-breaker, and Carolina has the same identical record as the Saints, although we own that tie-breaker. And there sits Atlanta, who can finish in a tie with the Saints and beat us out since they would own the tie-breaker.
So it is that simple, the Saints need to win out and a much hoped for victory against Atlanta would be huge. Nothing we can do but watch and cheer and hope the Saints take care of business. For tonight, I am thankful for victory # 10 and am counting on some more!
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