Seahawk domino effect (Saints)

[HawkWow]

What should be worrying the Saints as much as their trip to Seattle, is the games immediately following that trip to Seattle. Teams don't do real well after playing us, so the Saints can pretty much plan on losing their next 2. That puts them at 9-4 rolling into StL.

After facing the Hawks D, then Carolina's, the Saints will be plenty dinged both physically and mentally. A loss to StL is not improbable. Suddenly they're 9-5 and about that time we're sayin' Saints...Who dat? Who dat?

Hosting Carolina in the NFC C game (again) wouldn't shock me. Probably the most physical match up of any game, from either conference, thru-out the playoffs. BUT...Carolina lost the first game of their season to us and they'll lose the last game of their season to us. Go Hawks!

 

[Wartooth]

So let it be written. So let it be done!

 

[MizzouHawkGal]

It is known.

 

[bestfightstory]

The Rams beat the Saints with A J. Feeley at QB a couple years ago. Rams were 14 point underdogs for a damn good reason and they won.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/footba ... recap.html

The Saints are NOT a good road team.

They ARE, however, a challenge for anybody in New Orleans.

Basically like Seattle, in that regard, of years past.


The Saints will be hard pressed to win their division.

 

[AROS]

Saints barely escaped the Falcons with a win...Not taking the Saints lightly by any means but we should pound them on MNF.

 

[ivotuk]

I posted in the NO/ATL thread that I wouldn't be surprised if New Orleans loses out.

They have to face Carolina twice and that front 7 is going to eat Drew Brees alive. Cam Newton is on fire and if Matt Ryan can almost beat NO, then the Panthers should have no problem kicking their butts.

Mike Glennon this season has 11 TDs, 4 INTs, and in the last three games has 8.0 YPA, and a 72% completion ratio. The Tampa Bay defense is coming alive led by Gerald McCoy and they are climbing in the rankings currently at #15.

Then there's the St Louis Rams. Chris Long and Robert Quinn will be licking their lips hoping to get an Ahmad Brooks type hit on Brees.

If not for a rookie fumble and a collision that broke up a Trufant INT, Atlanta might have won tonight.

I chuckle to think that the hit that lost the game for SF, may have put enough hurt on the 34 year old Drew Brees that he might be stiffening up. He sure looked off out there tonight and will probably throw a couple of INTs a week from Monday. Gee, thanks SF!

 

[lukerguy]

I agree. I believe the saints lose 3 out of the next 4. Seattle, Carolina once, and STL.

 

[HawkWow]

I think most of us have been keeping a watchful eye on Carolina for a couple / few years now. I don't like what I'm seeing. Newton (similar to Romo in this respect) kept me comfortable. You knew no matter how good his supporting cast became, he'd find a way to lose. I'm not feeling this in 2013.

Without giving it much thought, or looking at the numbers, I have to think Cam is one of the biggest surprises of the year. He might be one of the most improved players of the year (certainly among QBs). He seems like he's really starting to get it and appears to have done a lot of growing up as well. The dude was always a physical freak... now he's seeing the field like an NFL QB. I don't like it at all.

Good point above on Glennon. I doubt the kid could beat Peyton in a foot race, but he throws a beautiful ball and puts it where it should go...and he's not very "short". Excellent / strong move removing Freeman from the team. No need for Glennon to be looking over his shoulder. TB, like the Eagles, apparently have their future QB(s). The Skins too...but he's on the bench.

 

[Uffda]

Saints vs. Falcons 17-13, Seahawks did much better on the same field against the same team.

They are a less worry than I thought, though every game ...

 

[HawkGA]

I wouldn't read too much into the Saints struggling last night. Thursday night game on the road against a divisional opponent with a HUGE game right around the corner. The Hawks had a few close games that shouldn't have been close too.

Now, I hope it isn't a close game because, well, blowouts are so much more relaxing. But it wouldn't surprise me at all if the Saints bring it on Monday. Given the remaining schedules, this might well be a more important game for the Saints than it is for the Seahawks.

 

[volsunghawk]

Saints barely escaped the Falcons with a win...Not taking the Saints lightly by any means but we should pound them on MNF.

Seattle barely escaped the Rams and Bucs with a win.

People need to stop acting as if one game defines how a team plays all season long. It wasn't true of the Seahawks (as the Falcons and Vikings discovered) and it's not true of the Saints.

Now, if you wanted to talk about multiple game samples and trends, that's a better argument. The Saints are a less explosive team on the road - they have been held under 400 yards of offense in 4 of their 5 road games (while at home, they've gone over 400 yards in all but one game). The offense is about as careful with the ball on the road as they are at home, but their defense forces FAR fewer turnovers in road games (5 in 5 road games versus 12 in 6 home games).

As long as Seattle's D plays an inspired game (as they often do with the 12th man) and the offense protects the ball, I think Seattle should beat New Orleans without too much drama.

As for New Orleans' remaining schedule, they face us, St. Louis, and Carolina on the road. That's a slate of damn tough defenses, and I'd be surprised if the Saints went any better than 1-2 in that stretch. They should be able to handle Tampa at home (Tampa's been playing better, but not "go into the Superdome and beat the Saints" better) and then the Carolina game will be another tough matchup. It's not an enviable schedule remaining. Still, I think they can take the 2 seed as long as they handle business at home and take 1 on the road (putting them at 12-4) and as long as Detroit continues to do Detroit-type things.

 

[MidwestHawker]

Saints barely escaped the Falcons with a win...Not taking the Saints lightly by any means but we should pound them on MNF.

Seattle barely escaped the Rams and Bucs with a win.

People need to stop acting as if one game defines how a team plays all season long. It wasn't true of the Seahawks (as the Falcons and Vikings discovered) and it's not true of the Saints.

Agreed. This "transitive property of pro football" effect is not a real one and is a poor way to assess things. The Saints won a road game and have nothing to be ashamed of from last night.

That said, I like our odds next week.

 

[Natethegreat]

It really makes no sense for a Seahawk fan to be touting the Saints performance last night as reason to believe we will beat them. We struggled against a lot of poor teams this year and yet we won those games just like the Saints and as has been mentioned it was a Thursday night game following a very tough battle against the whiners.
I do believe we win at home but I highly doubt the Saints lose 4 to 3 games in a row. Especially with Brees at quarterback and a much improved defense.

 

[jblaze]

Brees is a very good QB with great anticipation but I like our secondary against him. They're kind of a timing and finesse offense and we do well to disrupt timing and play underneath man with over the top help to play things tight. I think we might see a couple of INT's monday night.

Let's get a Vernon Davis type hit from Kam on Graham and let's see how he reacts after being shaken up. He's a big guy but I don't know how tough he is. I'll take a 15 yd penalty for a tone setter like that any day.

 

[Hawks46]

Agree with Hawkwow. Cam Newton had all the tools, it was character holding him back. Once he matured a bit, he's looked good. I saw it in the Seattle game; he didn't throw a lot of wild passes, was patient and took what the Defense gave him. He didn't have good stats, but he only really has one good WR and our defense doesn't give up much on the back end.

I think people want to compare a common opponent in Atlanta, both played in ATlanta when talking about NO. It's somewhat relevant from a matchups standpoint, but yea, it's not a guarantee.

What scares me (for them) is playing us, then Carolina, then going to STL to face that DL. I give them at best a 50% chance to win that game.

 

[HawkWow]

Agree with Hawkwow. Cam Newton had all the tools, it was character holding him back. Once he matured a bit, he's looked good. I saw it in the Seattle game; he didn't throw a lot of wild passes, was patient and took what the Defense gave him. He didn't have good stats, but he only really has one good WR and our defense doesn't give up much on the back end.

I think people want to compare a common opponent in Atlanta, both played in ATlanta when talking about NO. It's somewhat relevant from a matchups standpoint, but yea, it's not a guarantee.

What scares me (for them) is playing us, then Carolina, then going to STL to face that DL. I give them at best a 50% chance to win that game.

Agreed. After watching this progress of Newton, I wonder if there's still hope for Kaep(?). I think SF should give him a 100 mil deal and lock him up, just in case.


To make it simple, one question we should be asking ourselves is this: On NEUTRAL turf, what would the Hawks / Saints game look like? I will side on the side of caution and call it a tie (though I think we win). So if we agree the two teams are dead even at a neutral site, what edge do you want to give the Hawks for HFA? The industry standard for HFA varies from 3- 6 pts. There will be nothing standard about this particular night in Seattle. Most will argue, but I think our HFA is no less than 7 pts, any given Sunday. You can add a FG to that in this instance. Yes, I said it. Seattle's HFA will be between 7-10 pts. No less.

My current prediction (obviously) takes other factors into account on top of that: 31-17 Seattle. And the Saints meltdown will be under way.

 

[lengai]

What should be worrying the Saints as much as their trip to Seattle, is the games immediately following that trip to Seattle. Teams don't do real well after playing us, so the Saints can pretty much plan on losing their next 2. That puts them at 9-4 rolling into StL.

After facing the Hawks D, then Carolina's, the Saints will be plenty dinged both physically and mentally. A loss to StL is not improbable. Suddenly they're 9-5 and about that time we're sayin' Saints...Who dat? Who dat?

Hosting Carolina in the NFC C game (again) wouldn't shock me. Probably the most physical match up of any game, from either conference, thru-out the playoffs. BUT...Carolina lost the first game of their season to us and they'll lose the last game of their season to us. Go Hawks!

Conversely, it could be that the Saints manage to beat the Seahawks on MNF and both teams go to 10-2 with the Saints being the #1 seed with HFA over the Seahawks. Then, the 49ers pull out a hard fought win with a tough D and the Seahawks are dinged up after facing the Saints and 49ers D and the resurgent Giants take the Hawks to 10-4 with the Cardinals and Rams still on the schedule. My point is, no one knows what will happen...just what we hope happens...and anything CAN happen. The good part is that both teams will make the playoffs in some fashion. HFA is nice, but is not as helpful for the 1 seed making the SB as it may seem. And, if they make it to the SB they still have to win it. If we get eliminated from the playoffs and Seattle is still in I will be pulling for you guys, just so you know. I have no ill will towards the team.

 

[lengai]

Let's get a Vernon Davis type hit from Kam on Graham and let's see how he reacts after being shaken up. He's a big guy but I don't know how tough he is. I'll take a 15 yd penalty for a tone setter like that any day.

He is an absolute beast monster. He has been playing with a torn plantar fascia ligament since the NE game. We would all be on morophine and in bed and he's making plays like the 44 yard TD okie doke he put on the Falcons last night. You did see him drag the DB for 8 yards into the endzone? He's done that about 5 times so far. He seeks contact and delivers crushing hits on DBs and LBs. The Bucs had a safety spear him in the side of his chin with his helmet and he kept playing. Vernon is fast, but is no Graham. Olsen is not even in the same league. If I was going to compare him to somoen it would be Antonio Gates in his prime. It's also the last year of his rookie contract and he is playing for the big bucks so he is extra motivated.

 

[HawkWow]

What should be worrying the Saints as much as their trip to Seattle, is the games immediately following that trip to Seattle. Teams don't do real well after playing us, so the Saints can pretty much plan on losing their next 2. That puts them at 9-4 rolling into StL.

After facing the Hawks D, then Carolina's, the Saints will be plenty dinged both physically and mentally. A loss to StL is not improbable. Suddenly they're 9-5 and about that time we're sayin' Saints...Who dat? Who dat?

Hosting Carolina in the NFC C game (again) wouldn't shock me. Probably the most physical match up of any game, from either conference, thru-out the playoffs. BUT...Carolina lost the first game of their season to us and they'll lose the last game of their season to us. Go Hawks!

Conversely, it could be that the Saints manage to beat the Seahawks on MNF and both teams go to 10-2 with the Saints being the #1 seed with HFA over the Seahawks. Then, the 49ers pull out a hard fought win with a tough D and the Seahawks are dinged up after facing the Saints and 49ers D and the resurgent Giants take the Hawks to 10-4 with the Cardinals and Rams still on the schedule. My point is, no one knows what will happen...just what we hope happens...and anything CAN happen. The good part is that both teams will make the playoffs in some fashion. HFA is nice, but is not as helpful for the 1 seed making the SB as it may seem. And, if they make it to the SB they still have to win it. If we get eliminated from the playoffs and Seattle is still in I will be pulling for you guys, just so you know. I have no ill will towards the team.

Good points, and I have nothing against your team...but bro....it just ain't going to happen. All bias aside. Yours is a very good football team in a VERY bad situation. My Gramps and Tom Benson were friends. They served together in the Navy and Benson, all class, stayed in touch with my Gramps until he passed last year. You may have seen Benson do ceremonies at half time for his shipmates. That obviously makes me like Benson, and the Saints, but what you guys are walking into..well, there's no way to duplicate it, prepare for it, or stop it. It will be so insanely intimidating that I don't even expect our normal number of terrible calls. Those officials know it's a long way back to SeaTac....anything can happen along that route. LOL.

If you guys should be down by 2 scores in the 4th, Payton would be wise to pull your starters. It won't happen, but I'm serious. If we start teeing off on Brees, you will have little chance vs. Carolina. When Carolina starts teeing off on an already uncomfortable Brees, your chances against STL will also be reduced. Look at the next game played by all of our opponents after playing us. You will see what I mean. Better to escape with 1 loss than 2 or 3. I wish you, Mr. Benson and your team good health.

 

[OrFan]

I feel that given the schedule for the Saints, plus the hangover affect after playing us, Carolina wins the South.