Man in Green wrote:If the Saints were totally healthy they would have a great shot to win it all. They are the most complete team in the NFL. I think the Buffalo game was the only game were all of the starters were healthy, and we saw how that turned out.
Maybe so, but you dance with the girl you brought.
The Eagles would be an entirely different team too had Sproules not gone down early in the season and Carson Wentz, possible NFL MVP, had not been lost for the season late.
See you in Philly.
That’s true, but the Saints have been hit extra hard with injuries all year: Armstead missed the first 6 games or so, Strief goes down in game 1, Lattimore missed a couple of games, Klein, Fleener, Peat, Okafor, and Vaccaro are on IR. It’s the next man up mentality in the NFL. I just hope we don’t run out of men.
All teams have lost key players and just trudge on. That's a real testament to the coaches left standing as they all have had to deal with subbing for key players, and yet have kept their teams in it. Zimmer lost his top QB and top pick RB! Pats lost Edelman and multiple D-linemen. Steelers were without the best player on the outside (and still limited).
I would point to 3 seasons recently where the overwhelming fav going into the SB was beat - Giants over Pats (twice) and Saints over Colts. You could also argue Broncos over Panthers (although anyone with Cam Newton at QB shouldn't be a favorite) and I believe Seahawks over Broncos was also a mild upset.
And lest I point out that it's 7 straight Conference Championship appearances and 12 of the past 17 now for the pair that is Belichick and Brady. Not sure there has been another pair with consistent greatness in sports history. Not even Auerbach-Russell lasted that long.
I don't buy that they're breaking up, but if they do, this may be an unmatchable run the way franchises handle assets nowadays.
That was awful technique any way you slice it. I've seen a lot of arguments saying he had to duck to avoid a penalty. If that’s the case, it still supports my point of him using poor technique, especially for an NFL DB.
Tulane Greenbackers
"If you want to win you have to have good players." Vince Gibson
Man, do I feel badly for you Saints fans. That was a helluva a way to lose a football game. Unbelievable. It's so much fun to watch Payton and Brees manage a game, then pfffft! big brain f@rt.
Rotorooter wrote:Man, do I feel badly for you Saints fans. That was a helluva a way to lose a football game. Unbelievable. It's so much fun to watch Payton and Brees manage a game, then pfffft! big brain f@rt.
Me too. Because of Tulane and New Orleans, the Saints are my second favorite team, and not in a Dallas Cowboys way either. With the incredible comeback I was sure that early season banter I had here with someone about an Eagles-Saints NFC Championship was going to come true. Up until that missed tackle I figured the Vikings would run out of time.
Not sure how the Eagles will fare next Sunday. With Foles it’s been a prayer so far but one never knows.
Fan since 1974 living in Phelps seeing the upper bowl of Tulane Stadium
The 49ers game in the 2011 playoffs was worse. They fought back like champs and let it get away. I'm a fan again because of this team so I'll never forget them.
And may our enemies, if they exist, be unconscious of our purpose. - From The Lady Vanishes
Feel bad for y'all. That was a tough way to go. I even had my kids rooting for the Saints (or as my daughter misread the screen when I first turned it on, the "Santas"). No offense TUPF, but I dislike all four remaining teams now. Blech.
PeteRasche wrote:No offense TUPF, but I dislike all four remaining teams now. Blech.
None taken. After Wentz went down, I keep waiting for Wile. E. Coyote to realize gravity takes over.
However, I would like nothing better than to knock the smugness off of Brady/Belechek if we somehow manage to pull off a second playoff win as underdog over Minnesota.
Fan since 1974 living in Phelps seeing the upper bowl of Tulane Stadium