So I know we all enjoyed watching former LSU Tiger Matt Flynn give the New England Patriots a run for their money, but that Packers loss was huge for the Saints’ playoff chances. Wait a minute, is that picture Matt Flynn from his college days or Matt Damon in an LSU uniform?? I’m actually not sure. I will say Flynn’s mastery of the 2 minute drill was very reminiscent of his Les Miles schooling/coaching. Anyway, thanks to that Packers loss, here’s how things shake out for the Saints:
One win and they clinch a playoff birth. They can win at Atlanta or vs. Tampa, either one, and they are in the tournament. They could also make it despite losing both games, though they would then need some help. There is still a chance the Saints could win the NFC South, too, albeit a very slim one. They would have to win out, and Atlanta would have to lose out. That scenario is at least helped by the fact that the two teams play each other next Monday night, but Atlanta closes out the season at home against Carolina. Hard to picture them dropping that one.
Assuming the Falcons win the NFC South, which is a very safe assumption at this point, the competition for a wild card spot is as follows:
New York Giants at 9-5, Green Bay Packers at 8-6 and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 8-6.
The Saints are 10-4, and there’s two wildcard spots available. The Saints would thus have to lose their last two games for any scenario where they wouldn’t make the playoffs. The Giants also play the Packers next week, so one of those two is guaranteed to lose at least one more game. If the Packers lose to the Giants, they are eliminated. If those teams were all 10-6, it would come down to tiebreakers. That Packers loss last night was huge, because it put the Saints two games ahead of them (instead of one).
Tiebreaking scenarios:
If Saints lose out and Bucs win out – TAMPA BAY owns the tiebreaker over Saints due to better record against common opponents.
If Saints and Giants have the same record – NEW ORLEANS owns the tiebreaker over Giants due to better record against common opponents.
If Saints and Pakcers have the same record – GREEN BAY owns the tiebreaker over the Saints due to better record against common opponents (because this would assume Saints lose to Falcons).
So if we lose the last two games, we would make the playoffs if the Giants lost at least one game, and if one of the Packers and Buccaneers teams lost one more game. Basically it’s still complicated. The main the to take away from all this is: WIN ONE GAME AND THE SAINTS ARE IN.
Remaining schedules are as follows:
SAINTS
@ Falcons
vs. Buccaneers
FALCONS
vs. Saints
vs. Panthers
GIANTS
@ Packers
@ Redskins
PACKERS
vs. Giants
vs. Bears
BUCCANEERS
vs. Seahawks
@ Saints
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