The Panthers are sitting at 5-0 and the Falcons have only dropped down to 5-1 after losing to the Saints this past Thursday. I know what you’re thinking, at 2-4 it’s already impossible for the Saints to catch either team… and you would be correct. 3rd place in the NFC South is probably the best case scenario. But the Saints making the playoffs as the last wild card? Not as crazy as you think.
Currently the woeful 3-2 Vikings hold the final spot in the playoffs. That means the Saints are just 1.5 games behind in the wild card race. Now there’s a lot of teams in the mix with the 2-3 Cowboys, 2-3 Eagles, 2-4 Redskins, 2-4 Bears, 2-3 Bucs , 2-3 Rams, 2-4 Seahawks and 2-4 49ers. Looking at this list I would still give the Seahawks a strong edge… but you know what all these teams have in common so far this season? They’re all pretty bad if not terrible. And the 3-2 Vikings are maybe the least convincing of all. So as ridiculous as the idea of making the playoffs might be, don’t laugh too soon. Of course if the Saints get mauled by the Colts and Giants the next two weeks (entirely possible), 2-6 would most likely signal the end. They’d have to run the table or go 7-1 the rest of the way to get in. Again, their schedule is so soft it’s not impossible. What makes it impossible is the team’s lack of consistency.
This reminds me of the mediocre at best 8-8 Saints in 1990 led by Steve Walsh. That team somehow snuck into the playoffs and played a competitive game in Chicago. It wouldn’t be that crazy for this team to finish 8-8 with this schedule and find their way into that last spot. I still think the Seahawks finish 8-8 or better, but do you really see any of the other teams I just listed getting to 8-8? I don’t. Maybe the Rams or Eagles.
So here’s the question, do you want a mediocre season that will go deep into December for a shot at that 6th and final playoff spot or would you prefer a 4-12/5-11 type year with a better draft pick?
My thoughts: You never know when you’ll get another chance/taste at the postseason. A high draft pick promise nothing in the unknown that is life after Drew Brees/possibly Sean Payton. Until it’s mathematically impossible you should root for it to happen. Why? Because there’s no guarantee the 7th selected player will be any better than the 17th selection anyway. I’d much rather a good scouting staff that nails picks in the 4th round over a spot 6 slots up. As bad as the Saints have drafted before 2015, a competent scouting staff is much more needed than a high draft selection. So I’m rooting for a way to sneak in. Especially if it makes the season more fun in the process.
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