Saints Still Control Control Their Playoff Fate – Just Barely
By Bob Rose
Sep 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) carries the ball as Atlanta Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (56) defends in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
WIN THE DIVISION (NFC South)
The simplest path for New Orleans is to win the NFC South.
They are 2 games behind the Atlanta Falcons (6-4), and although they have lost to the Falcons, they play against each other in the final week of the season at Atlanta.
They also still play Tampa Bay twice — and 2 out of the next 3 games from December 11-24th (with a road trip to Arizona in between).
The Saints do need additional help in this scenario, as they now do in almost any path that would lead them to the postseason.
Watching Atlanta play in recent weeks leads one to wonder if they aren’t once again starting to fall on their own faces.
This path to the playoffs would also guarantee the Saints at least one home game as well. I wouldn’t imagine any defensive coordinator would enjoy preparing for Drew Brees and the speed of this offense in the Mercedes Benz Superdome — should the Saints get lucky enough to come back and win the division with 6 games left to play.