Saints Still Control Control Their Playoff Fate – Just Barely
By Bob Rose
Dec 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) makes a 27-yard touchdown catch while defended by Detroit Lions cornerback Nevin Lawson (24) in the third quarter of the game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
TIE-BREAKERS
Tomorrow / Week #11 is far too early to get into specific tie breaker scenarios.
The possibilities are almost endless, and may be far more clear after the next two or three weekends.
There are major tie-breakers that are considered when determining division winners or playoff participants: head-to-head match ups, conference record, and even a team’s divisional record — where applicable.
The Saints currently have a 3-3 record within the conference. Not spectacular, for certain; but as mentioned above, all six remaining opponents are in-conference, and three of them are NFC South divisional match ups.
The Lions have a 5-2 record in the NFC at the moment, but every other team in this Royal Rumble-style battle has at least 3 conference losses as well.
New Orleans finishing with a record of 9-3 or 8-4 in the NFC (if they win out or win 5 out of their last 6 remaining games) is an extremely strong position, and would also give the Saints a head-to-head advantage against a number of their playoff competitors.