New Orleans Saints @ Seattle Seahawks Playoff Thread (1 Viewer)

[proninja]

Golden Tate this morning on the return on Percy Harvin. As you can read he goes on and on about Percy and effect on the offense. Certainly doesn't sound like a guy that is iffy on if he will play Saturday.

Question: Is it realistic to think he can just plug and play Saturday?

Tate: "Well if you think a few weeks back he wasn't 100% healthy and first time he touches a kick return he takes it 58 yards, the first time he gets a seam he pretty much one hands it. So if that's him not healthy, what's he gonna be like 100%? With that being said I don't see the Seahawks changing their entire offense like "Of my god we gotta have this big package for Percy", I don't see that happening. I think we're going to stay with what we do. Run the ball well, hit them big with explosive plays and I think we're gonna have some things for him.

Teams haven't gameplanned for Percy right now and we're in the playoffs and you gotta do whatever it takes to win at the end of the day. We're out here fighting for our lives and this is another guy they don't have on film so I see that as a big positive for us.

Special teams you have to worry about, Are they going to kick it deep to him? Our kickoff return team is already great, we have great blockers. Is he going to give us great field position? Are you going to punt it to me? Wow we have Percy out here on the seam against a linebacker some strange way. Is he going to run right by him and catch a big play? You never know and you have to gameplan that so we're excited to have him back. I'm actually getting excited just thinking about it.I feel like it's perfect timing to get one of the fastest, most explosive guys in the league back, that's exciting to me.

http://icestream.bonnint.net/seattle/kiro/2014/01/c_brockanddanny010714_9965932.mp3

Some good analysis on what the hawks might do with Percy here - http://www.fieldgulls.com/football-breakdowns/2014/1/7/5285394/percy-harvin-injury-practice-seahawks-saints

 

[ImTheScientist]

Golden Tate this morning on the return on Percy Harvin. As you can read he goes on and on about Percy and effect on the offense. Certainly doesn't sound like a guy that is iffy on if he will play Saturday.

Question: Is it realistic to think he can just plug and play Saturday?

Tate: "Well if you think a few weeks back he wasn't 100% healthy and first time he touches a kick return he takes it 58 yards, the first time he gets a seam he pretty much one hands it. So if that's him not healthy, what's he gonna be like 100%? With that being said I don't see the Seahawks changing their entire offense like "Of my god we gotta have this big package for Percy", I don't see that happening. I think we're going to stay with what we do. Run the ball well, hit them big with explosive plays and I think we're gonna have some things for him.

Teams haven't gameplanned for Percy right now and we're in the playoffs and you gotta do whatever it takes to win at the end of the day. We're out here fighting for our lives and this is another guy they don't have on film so I see that as a big positive for us.

Special teams you have to worry about, Are they going to kick it deep to him? Our kickoff return team is already great, we have great blockers. Is he going to give us great field position? Are you going to punt it to me? Wow we have Percy out here on the seam against a linebacker some strange way. Is he going to run right by him and catch a big play? You never know and you have to gameplan that so we're excited to have him back. I'm actually getting excited just thinking about it.I feel like it's perfect timing to get one of the fastest, most explosive guys in the league back, that's exciting to me.

http://icestream.bonnint.net/seattle/kiro/2014/01/c_brockanddanny010714_9965932.mp3

This to me is the X factor and the difference maker in the game. Percy is amazing.

I would love to see him in the backfield with Lynch and a LBer covering him. Saints LBer speed is awful....maybe worst in the league.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Golden Tate this morning on the return on Percy Harvin. As you can read he goes on and on about Percy and effect on the offense. Certainly doesn't sound like a guy that is iffy on if he will play Saturday.

Question: Is it realistic to think he can just plug and play Saturday?

Tate: "Well if you think a few weeks back he wasn't 100% healthy and first time he touches a kick return he takes it 58 yards, the first time he gets a seam he pretty much one hands it. So if that's him not healthy, what's he gonna be like 100%? With that being said I don't see the Seahawks changing their entire offense like "Of my god we gotta have this big package for Percy", I don't see that happening. I think we're going to stay with what we do. Run the ball well, hit them big with explosive plays and I think we're gonna have some things for him.

Teams haven't gameplanned for Percy right now and we're in the playoffs and you gotta do whatever it takes to win at the end of the day. We're out here fighting for our lives and this is another guy they don't have on film so I see that as a big positive for us.

Special teams you have to worry about, Are they going to kick it deep to him? Our kickoff return team is already great, we have great blockers. Is he going to give us great field position? Are you going to punt it to me? Wow we have Percy out here on the seam against a linebacker some strange way. Is he going to run right by him and catch a big play? You never know and you have to gameplan that so we're excited to have him back. I'm actually getting excited just thinking about it.I feel like it's perfect timing to get one of the fastest, most explosive guys in the league back, that's exciting to me.

http://icestream.bonnint.net/seattle/kiro/2014/01/c_brockanddanny010714_9965932.mp3

Some good analysis on what the hawks might do with Percy here - http://www.fieldgulls.com/football-breakdowns/2014/1/7/5285394/percy-harvin-injury-practice-seahawks-saints

Great article!

 

[Breesisdaman]

Prepare Saint fans to be blown out again. You guys are in denial if you think it will be close.

You know being confident that your team will win is fine but you take it way beyond that. No one is in denial here, I expect the Saints to put up a fight this time. They are not going to just roll over. They will be much more careful with the ball too. Last game the hawks were gifted a few score and the Saints got behind early and it took them out of their game plan. I don't see that happening again. Fans like you need to act like you have been here before. Your team has exactly the same amount of trophies in its trophy case as the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans.

 

[Henry Ford]

Seattle's run D has stiffened considerably the last few weeks. I don't think the Saints are going to be able to establish a run game. They will be forced to pass and Brees is going to struggle. Case in point is Zac Stacy of the Rams. He went for 200 in the 1st meeting and went for 15 on 15 carries in the rematch. I see a lot of Saint fans saying how you will need to run to win. That will be the big problem in my opinion. You will not be able to run.

Stacy lost half his offensive line at the end of the year.

 

[Henry Ford]

Prepare Saint fans to be blown out again. You guys are in denial if you think it will be close.

Is this going to be one of those where the opposing team's fans say "It didn't count, you guys injured our QB?"

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Factoid:

The Seattle Seahawks have only one (1) 1st half offensive TD in their last 3 games (vs the Giants (a), Cards (h) & Rams (h)). They have none in the last 2 games.

@SF: after 2 2nd Qtr TDs, only 3 points in the 2nd half

@ NYG: 1st offensive TD came with 5:30 in the 2nd

Vs the Cards: 1st offensive TD came with 7:26 in the 4th

Vs the Rams: 1st offensive TD came with 2:21 left in the 3rd

**************

In their playoff games under Carroll, the Seahawks have:

Fallen behind ATL 20-0 (3rd) (L)

Fallen behind to WAS 14-0 (2nd) (W)

Fallen behind CHI 28-0 (3rd) (L)

Fallen behind NO 10-0 (1st) (W)

Collective 72-0 early deficits in 4 playoffs games under Carroll.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

No. 1 seeds are 7-9 in divisional round, post-bye. - Last year, they were 1-1 as BAL beat No. 1 Denver (38-35) and No. 1 ATL beat Seattle (30-28). In 2011, it was 1-1 again as No. 1 NE beat Denver 45-10 (Tebow) and NYG won at No. 1 GB 37-20. In 2010, they went as 0-2 as both Nos. 1 lost as NYJ beat No. 1 NE 28-21 and GB beat No. 1 ATL 48-21. As we all know in 2009 Nos. NO & Indy won out, so they were 2-0, but that was the only one time both Nos. 1 seeds won out in many, many years.

So No. 1 seeds are 2-4 the last 3 years. One win was a squeaker, by two points, the other involved Tebow at QB.

The Seahawks are 2-2 after bye weeks under Carroll, including their 34-7 devastation of the Saints week 12, 2013, in 2012 they lost 24-21 at MIA, in 2011 they lost 6-3 in CLE.

“You get out of routine,” Tate said. “This league, really, it’s just all about routine. For 17 weeks straight, not counting the bye, on Wednesdays you know what you’re going to get. On Thursday you know exactly what you’re going to do – the preparation Friday, Saturday, (and) so on.

“To kind of get out of that and have time to rest is good for your body, but you kind get a little rusty. You’ve got to knock that off. I think Coach Carroll did a good job of having us come back in Monday just for a workout and had like a bonus day Tuesday where we knocked the rust off. (Wednesday) we should be back into gear. I know guys are extremely excited to go.”

Following the bye week in 2011, the Seahawks lost, 6-3, at Cleveland to start a three-game losing streak.

Carroll said prior to this year’s hiatus he would prefer to keep playing.

“We’re just feeling very good about where we’re going with guys coming back to health and all of that, but you don’t get that choice,” Carroll said. “We’ll know more again today, but not until game time will we really know how well we’ll handle the bye.”

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/11/28/2918853/hawks-back-in-saddle-after-bye.html

 

[Statorama]

Saints first half betting lines look interesting

+5 spread

+220 first half ML

Not hard to imagine they could play them tough for a half. Looking hard at both of these.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Saints first half betting lines look interesting

+5 spread

+220 first half ML

Not hard to imagine they could play them tough for a half. Looking hard at both of these.

Take a look at the above - Collective 72-0 early deficits in 4 playoffs games under Carroll.

 

[Hooper31]

This thread is similar to the Seattle-Washington pregame travishamockery from a year ago. Some (not all) are hunting and searching for some form of justification to make themselves feel better about the potential win/loss. Seems an awful waste of time.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

This thread is similar to the Seattle-Washington pregame travishamockery from a year ago. Some (not all) are hunting and searching for some form of justification to make themselves feel better about the potential win/loss. Seems an awful waste of time.

No doubt (admitted grasping of straws here), but if the Seahawks fall behind early in a playoff game yet again hopefully the locals start to ask questions.

 

[Hooper31]

This thread is similar to the Seattle-Washington pregame travishamockery from a year ago. Some (not all) are hunting and searching for some form of justification to make themselves feel better about the potential win/loss. Seems an awful waste of time.

No doubt (admitted grasping of straws here), but if the Seahawks fall behind early in a playoff game yet again hopefully the locals start to ask questions.

Questions? I strongly disagree. I guess I'm a bit more slow in forming my opinions. I can confidently say that my opinion of Pete Carroll (or anyone on either team) will not change based on the outcome of a single game.

EDIT: Felt I should qualify my statement above. I have a fairly strong positive opinion of Pete Carroll after following the team closely this past few years (or at least a closely as any random fan can follow the team). I like that he's a very positive person. I like that he keeps the long term goals in mind. I like that competition is more than just a cliche to him. Its a way of life and encompasses the entire team. Its a mantra that backs up all the personnel decisions. Contracts don't dictate playing time, performance does. Even if Seattle somehow gets blown out in this game I'm still going to be glad that the Schneider/Carroll regime is still firmly in place here because I think they have a formula for continued success. Of course these opinions can change, but not based on the result of a single game, or even a small handful of games.

IMO the average NFL fan is overly reactionary. For instance, I still think Coughlin is a great NFL coach. His team had a bad year, but my opinion of him didn't change because of this season. There are layers of reasons for success and failure. Credit and blame are too flippantly credited by fans and media alike.

Didn't mean to ramble. Just my random thoughts with regard to fandom and perceptions of success and failure.

 

[Gadabout]

If an alien were to come to Earth and not know anything at all about football, one look into this thread and he would walk away thinking that Seattle has never lost a game and has won the last 26 Super Bowls.

 

[MarcO]

If an alien were to come to Earth and not know anything at all about football, one look into this thread and he would walk away thinking that Seattle has never lost a game and has won the last 26 Super Bowls.

or that based on a very similar game played a month ago in which one team dominated the other, that Seattle is the better team and is expected to win?

look, I expect the Seahawks to win and I think they win in the same situation 7 or 8 out of 10 times. But this is football, and at this level it doesn't take much to tilt the field one way or the other. If the Saints can make some key plays and keep the game close, anything can happen - it wouldn't be a huge surprise if the Saints win this in the end if the game is close throughout.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Word is 100% chance of rain, temp in the 40's.

This about right?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

The Saints have played 5 of their last 7 games on the road now.

This will make it 6 of 8.

The Saints have the 3rd best road record in the NFL since 2006 and 2nd best since 2009.

 

[Gadabout]

Word is 100% chance of rain, temp in the 40's.

This about right?

Saints will appreciate that tropical climate up there.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Word is 100% chance of rain, temp in the 40's.

This about right?

Saints will appreciate that tropical climate up there.

Yeah no kidding.

 

[MarcO]

Word is 100% chance of rain, temp in the 40's.

This about right?

yeah, as of now it looks like we're in one of those rain spells with no end in sight. But it rarely rains hard enough up here to impact a football game.

 

[Doug B]

Don't know if Brees has in the past ever said anything in general about weather preferences and passing the football. I do remember Kenny Stabler once talking about how he didn't care about rain, but that wind really messed up his passes.

 

[Gadabout]

Don't know if Brees has in the past ever said anything in general about weather preferences and passing the football. I do remember Kenny Stabler once talking about how he didn't care about rain, but that wind really messed up his passes.

I'm not sure, but I'll be happy if I didn't see him try to hit any slant patterns on the left side of the field.

 

[CapnJB]

The Saints have played 5 of their last 7 games on the road now.

This will make it 6 of 8.

The Saints have the 3rd best road record in the NFL since 2006 and 2nd best since 2009.

So what your saying is they've won 2 of their last 5 road games but at least they're 2nd best since 2009?

This season they were tied for 14th best on the road. Even Jacksonville won as many road games as New Orleans.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

The Saints have played 5 of their last 7 games on the road now.

This will make it 6 of 8.

The Saints have the 3rd best road record in the NFL since 2006 and 2nd best since 2009.

So what your saying is they've won 2 of their last 5 road games but at least they're 2nd best since 2009?

This season they were tied for 14th best on the road. Even Jacksonville won as many road games as New Orleans.

So what your saying...

No.

What I'm saying is the Saints have been living on the road, they have been facing good teams on the road for a while now (3rd toughest road record in the NFC), they've already been to Seattle, and it's almost like they have been oddly prepared for this.

They've played in rain heavier than what they'll see Saturday, and they've played in even tougher places to win (New England).

And the fact that they have done so well on the road in the past means there is nothing specially difficult about being a dome team on the road, and there is nothing different this year except maybe the opponents and a few things that have gone wrong here and there. The fact that they are 2-3 also means they are likely to be edging closer to their 23-17 overall road record.

File it under straw grasping if you will, that's ok.

 

[Hooper31]

Weather update:

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Seattle+WA+USWA0395:1:US

I'm generally one of the people telling others what "rain" is really like in Seattle. We get a constant sort of misting. Its rarely heavy rain. That said, if you take a look at the link above it specifically says POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY RAIN on Saturday. Not quite sure what to make of that. I just might have to turn my wipers past intermittent for the first time in forever.

 

[CapnJB]

File it under straw grasping if you will, that's ok.

Fair enough

 

[Zigg]

Word is 100% chance of rain, temp in the 40's.

This about right?

That should be accurate through March.

 

[proninja]

It amazes me how many irrelevant stats get posted in here. If the Saints beat the Seahawks, which is a real possibility, it won't have anything to do with #1 seeds and their records in divisional games, the Saints road record, the Seahawks last couple games, or any of that. It'll be because they beat them. And that's ok.

But, if there wasn't this dreck, then I guess there wouldn't be anything to talk about pregame. The Seahawks are a better team, they've already proven that in a couple different ways this year. Can an inferior team beat a superior team by playing better on any day? Sure. That's what the Saints will have to do. Any given Sunday.

It's a dice roll, and Saints fans are hoping the 20% comes up instead of the 80% comes up.

 

[ScottyDog]

.

 

[mad sweeney]

The Saints have played 5 of their last 7 games on the road now.

This will make it 6 of 8.

The Saints have the 3rd best road record in the NFL since 2006 and 2nd best since 2009.

So what your saying is they've won 2 of their last 5 road games but at least they're 2nd best since 2009?

This season they were tied for 14th best on the road. Even Jacksonville won as many road games as New Orleans.

BUT SEATTLE NEVER WON A SB!!!!! ALL THE PAST DOESNT MATTER EXCEPT THAT!!!

 

[proninja]

The Saints have played 5 of their last 7 games on the road now.

This will make it 6 of 8.

The Saints have the 3rd best road record in the NFL since 2006 and 2nd best since 2009.

So what your saying is they've won 2 of their last 5 road games but at least they're 2nd best since 2009?

This season they were tied for 14th best on the road. Even Jacksonville won as many road games as New Orleans.

BUT SEATTLE NEVER WON A SB!!!!! ALL THE PAST DOESNT MATTER EXCEPT THAT!!!

That's another good example of things people talk about that have zero bearing on the game

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Guys just enjoy or ignore the stats, they are not predictors of future outcomes, it is discussion of recent outcomes of teams in similar situations and the fact that the Saints are, contrary to common opinion, good on the road, and have practically been living with a road schedule in difficult venues for 8 weeks now so they are more than comfortable with the situation. No less, no more.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

By the way hold off on the inferior/superior talk until after the game. No actually it's not settled.

 

[proninja]

By the way hold off on the inferior/superior talk until after the game. No actually it's not settled.

They have a better record in a better division and they flat whipped the Saints the last time they played. They are a better team right now, period.

It remains to be seen which team plays better this weekend.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

By the way hold off on the inferior/superior talk until after the game. No actually it's not settled.

They have a better record in a better division and they flat whipped the Saints the last time they played. They are a better team right now, period.

It remains to be seen which team plays better this weekend.

Yes, will be glad to discuss after.

 

[Gadabout]

The Saints have played 5 of their last 7 games on the road now.

This will make it 6 of 8.

The Saints have the 3rd best road record in the NFL since 2006 and 2nd best since 2009.

So what your saying is they've won 2 of their last 5 road games but at least they're 2nd best since 2009?

This season they were tied for 14th best on the road. Even Jacksonville won as many road games as New Orleans.

BUT SEATTLE NEVER WON A SB!!!!! ALL THE PAST DOESNT MATTER EXCEPT THAT!!!

That's another good example of things people talk about that have zero bearing on the game

It only serves as reminder, I guess.

 

[proninja]

By the way hold off on the inferior/superior talk until after the game. No actually it's not settled.

They have a better record in a better division and they flat whipped the Saints the last time they played. They are a better team right now, period.

It remains to be seen which team plays better this weekend.

Yes, will be glad to discuss after.

After won't change the fact that right now the Seahawks are a better team this season. They were a better team and lost to the Colts too. If NO wins I'll congratulate you, say they were a better team that day, and root for the Saints in the next round, but whatever happens this weekend won't change the facts as they are right now.

If I bet you even money that I can flip a coin 3 times in a row and land on heads each time, you take it, and I flip heads each time, it was still a good bet for you at the outset.

 

[proninja]

The Saints have played 5 of their last 7 games on the road now.

This will make it 6 of 8.

The Saints have the 3rd best road record in the NFL since 2006 and 2nd best since 2009.

So what your saying is they've won 2 of their last 5 road games but at least they're 2nd best since 2009?

This season they were tied for 14th best on the road. Even Jacksonville won as many road games as New Orleans.

BUT SEATTLE NEVER WON A SB!!!!! ALL THE PAST DOESNT MATTER EXCEPT THAT!!!

That's another good example of things people talk about that have zero bearing on the game

It only serves as reminder, I guess.

Which is awesome if you're here to troll, I guess

 

[Kuz]

Guys just enjoy or ignore the stats, they are not predictors of future outcomes, it is discussion of recent outcomes of teams in similar situations and the fact that the Saints are, contrary to common opinion, good on the road, and have practically been living with a road schedule in difficult venues for 8 weeks now so they are more than comfortable with the situation. No less, no more.

Did you think they played well last week against the Eagles? not trying to get any Saints homer mad but I didn't think they looked all that great on offense. If they don't play much better they will be in quite some trouble this week.. But I won't say they don't have a chance. Just need to play better than last week. But a win is a win on the road..

I'm just hoping for a good game.

 

[Gadabout]

The Saints have played 5 of their last 7 games on the road now.

This will make it 6 of 8.

The Saints have the 3rd best road record in the NFL since 2006 and 2nd best since 2009.

So what your saying is they've won 2 of their last 5 road games but at least they're 2nd best since 2009?

This season they were tied for 14th best on the road. Even Jacksonville won as many road games as New Orleans.

BUT SEATTLE NEVER WON A SB!!!!! ALL THE PAST DOESNT MATTER EXCEPT THAT!!!

That's another good example of things people talk about that have zero bearing on the game

It only serves as reminder, I guess.

Which is awesome if you're here to troll, I guess

It seems like it puts the trolls in place.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Guys just enjoy or ignore the stats, they are not predictors of future outcomes, it is discussion of recent outcomes of teams in similar situations and the fact that the Saints are, contrary to common opinion, good on the road, and have practically been living with a road schedule in difficult venues for 8 weeks now so they are more than comfortable with the situation. No less, no more.

Did you think they played well last week against the Eagles? not trying to get any Saints homer mad but I didn't think they looked all that great on offense. If they don't play much better they will be in quite some trouble this week.. But I won't say they don't have a chance. Just need to play better than last week. But a win is a win on the road..

I'm just hoping for a good game.

There ya go, actual football.

They looked better than they have on the road for most of the year. I think it was a dominating performance until Lewis and Haralson went out.

Facts are facts though, Brees is not the high flying 40 point scoring QB on the road that he is at home this year. I think it's because teams have simply been daring the Saints to run and they haven't fully ever taken the bait, maybe Payton is finally turning that corner. On the other hand, Brees 1. missed Sproles and 2. missed Stills and 3. had the inevitable pick to the LB hanging out in open space.

The Saints' stat when they hold opponents to under 20 is ridiculously good, like 46-4 good. But they lost @CAR giving up 17 (which was 10 until 20 seconds left). I've learned over time that teams and players don't just magically show up, but they can change.

 

[proninja]

The Saints have played 5 of their last 7 games on the road now.

This will make it 6 of 8.

The Saints have the 3rd best road record in the NFL since 2006 and 2nd best since 2009.

So what your saying is they've won 2 of their last 5 road games but at least they're 2nd best since 2009?

This season they were tied for 14th best on the road. Even Jacksonville won as many road games as New Orleans.

BUT SEATTLE NEVER WON A SB!!!!! ALL THE PAST DOESNT MATTER EXCEPT THAT!!!

That's another good example of things people talk about that have zero bearing on the game

It only serves as reminder, I guess.

Which is awesome if you're here to troll, I guess

It seems like it puts the trolls in place.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, huh?

 

[Gadabout]

The Saints have played 5 of their last 7 games on the road now.

This will make it 6 of 8.

The Saints have the 3rd best road record in the NFL since 2006 and 2nd best since 2009.

So what your saying is they've won 2 of their last 5 road games but at least they're 2nd best since 2009?

This season they were tied for 14th best on the road. Even Jacksonville won as many road games as New Orleans.

BUT SEATTLE NEVER WON A SB!!!!! ALL THE PAST DOESNT MATTER EXCEPT THAT!!!

That's another good example of things people talk about that have zero bearing on the game

It only serves as reminder, I guess.

Which is awesome if you're here to troll, I guess

It seems like it puts the trolls in place.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, huh?

It looks like some have went that route, yes.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I prefer the stats/background posts over most of the others.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

By the way hold off on the inferior/superior talk until after the game. No actually it's not settled.

They have a better record in a better division and they flat whipped the Saints the last time they played. They are a better team right now, period.

It remains to be seen which team plays better this weekend.

Yes, will be glad to discuss after.

After won't change the fact that right now the Seahawks are a better team this season. They were a better team and lost to the Colts too. If NO wins I'll congratulate you, say they were a better team that day, and root for the Saints in the next round, but whatever happens this weekend won't change the facts as they are right now.

If I bet you even money that I can flip a coin 3 times in a row and land on heads each time, you take it, and I flip heads each time, it was still a good bet for you at the outset.

Hm was wondering if I should get into this.

I see what you're saying. But I think what I had in mind is in the unexpected event the Saints win let's not hear 'oh the better team lost today because of excuse 1, 2, 3'. I personally think these are the two best teams in the NFC this year. I also do not think that over the last 4 weeks the Seahawks have been really great nor do I think the Saints (or 9ers or CAR) have been. I really do not think this has been determined yet. I believe the Saints would be better than the Hawks in the Dome. We know for a fact that the Seahawks were waaaayyyyy better than the Saints in Seattle in week 12. But I do believe the tale has yet to be writ on this season. I'm guessing come Sunday morning maybe this is moot if the Saints lose, we know that script, we will be full on humble pie and will ask for extra helpings even. But Seahawks fans if they lose? Hopefully, again, none of this 'inferior team happened to win yesterday like we were tossing a coin in the air' business.

 

[proninja]

By the way hold off on the inferior/superior talk until after the game. No actually it's not settled.

They have a better record in a better division and they flat whipped the Saints the last time they played. They are a better team right now, period.

It remains to be seen which team plays better this weekend.

Yes, will be glad to discuss after.

After won't change the fact that right now the Seahawks are a better team this season. They were a better team and lost to the Colts too. If NO wins I'll congratulate you, say they were a better team that day, and root for the Saints in the next round, but whatever happens this weekend won't change the facts as they are right now.

If I bet you even money that I can flip a coin 3 times in a row and land on heads each time, you take it, and I flip heads each time, it was still a good bet for you at the outset.

Hm was wondering if I should get into this.

I see what you're saying. But I think what I had in mind is in the unexpected event the Saints win let's not hear 'oh the better team lost today because of excuse 1, 2, 3'. I personally think these are the two best teams in the NFC this year. I also do not think that over the last 4 weeks the Seahawks have been really great nor do I think the Saints (or 9ers or CAR) have been. I really do not think this has been determined yet. I believe the Saints would be better than the Hawks in the Dome. We know for a fact that the Seahawks were waaaayyyyy better than the Saints in Seattle in week 12. But I do believe the tale has yet to be writ on this season. I'm guessing come Sunday morning maybe this is moot if the Saints lose, we know that script, we will be full on humble pie and will ask for extra helpings even. But Seahawks fans if they lose? Hopefully, again, none of this 'inferior team happened to win yesterday like we were tossing a coin in the air' business.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the guy you want to be arguing with. I've said before, if the Saints win it will be because they played better football that day. Which, for games of this point spread, has been about 20% of the time. There's a 1 in 5 chance I'm doffing my cap to you after this weekend.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I prefer the stats/background posts over most of the others.

Yeah, I know me too, I like the season stats and historical and situation stuff, generally.

It's just interesting.

I love football history. Look the Saints and Seahawks are building quite the little series here between the two games in 2010 and the two games this year.

Two newish franchises with histories as underdogs too, lots of common ground here.

 

[Zigg]

Guys just enjoy or ignore the stats, they are not predictors of future outcomes, it is discussion of recent outcomes of teams in similar situations and the fact that the Saints are, contrary to common opinion, good on the road, and have practically been living with a road schedule in difficult venues for 8 weeks now so they are more than comfortable with the situation. No less, no more.

Did you think they played well last week against the Eagles? not trying to get any Saints homer mad but I didn't think they looked all that great on offense. If they don't play much better they will be in quite some trouble this week.. But I won't say they don't have a chance. Just need to play better than last week. But a win is a win on the road..

I'm just hoping for a good game.

Yes, they played well. They dominated the #2 offense at their place with Lewis in the game(looks like he plays Saturday), and won with a bad game by Brees. Very few have caught on to the fact that this is a very different Saints team. #4 D, #4 PA, #4 sacks, Brees doesn't need to carry the '13 Saints, and the run game carried the offense against a run D that was essentially the statistical equivalent of the Seahawks. Of course, the 'Hawks pass D, pass rush is significantly better, that's why 3rd and reasonable is essential.

The Seahawks are a horrible match-up for the Saints passing game. The Saints ran the ball 16 times in December, and if that is repeated, the score will be too. But it amazes that people have completely ignored the evolution of the Saints. This team can beat you 13-10, and I think Seahawk fans are in for a surprise. Unfortunately, I don't think Carroll will be as easily surprised. Fingers crossed.

Disclaimer: My hope is based 100% on Payton calling a similar game as against the Eagles.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

By the way hold off on the inferior/superior talk until after the game. No actually it's not settled.

They have a better record in a better division and they flat whipped the Saints the last time they played. They are a better team right now, period.

It remains to be seen which team plays better this weekend.

Yes, will be glad to discuss after.

After won't change the fact that right now the Seahawks are a better team this season. They were a better team and lost to the Colts too. If NO wins I'll congratulate you, say they were a better team that day, and root for the Saints in the next round, but whatever happens this weekend won't change the facts as they are right now.

If I bet you even money that I can flip a coin 3 times in a row and land on heads each time, you take it, and I flip heads each time, it was still a good bet for you at the outset.

Hm was wondering if I should get into this.

I see what you're saying. But I think what I had in mind is in the unexpected event the Saints win let's not hear 'oh the better team lost today because of excuse 1, 2, 3'. I personally think these are the two best teams in the NFC this year. I also do not think that over the last 4 weeks the Seahawks have been really great nor do I think the Saints (or 9ers or CAR) have been. I really do not think this has been determined yet. I believe the Saints would be better than the Hawks in the Dome. We know for a fact that the Seahawks were waaaayyyyy better than the Saints in Seattle in week 12. But I do believe the tale has yet to be writ on this season. I'm guessing come Sunday morning maybe this is moot if the Saints lose, we know that script, we will be full on humble pie and will ask for extra helpings even. But Seahawks fans if they lose? Hopefully, again, none of this 'inferior team happened to win yesterday like we were tossing a coin in the air' business.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the guy you want to be arguing with. I've said before, if the Saints win it will be because they played better football that day. Which, for games of this point spread, has been about 20% of the time. There's a 1 in 5 chance I'm doffing my cap to you after this weekend.

Yeah I can tell that, you're more than fair and yes, and I sure don't.

 

[Hooper31]

Yes, will be glad to discuss after.

A single game won't provide justification for whatever it is you really want to discuss.