Will the Monday Night game help the Saints?

[BullHawk33]

If they were playing at home it might help them. They are in our house though and no help will be found for them in our house.

 

[Hawks46]

Of course, if we kick the living shit out of them on MNF it will help them by letting them know what awaits them in the playoffs.

You beat me to this, but on the opposite side of the coin.

This game helps them if they win. They'll have confidence they can do it again in the playoffs.

As for the noise, Brees is a vet, and a professional. Most of his skill players have been here before. I don't think the noise will come as a surprise. Plus, the 12th man has a way of taking it to the next level come playoff time. Many folks were saying the NFCCG in 05 was louder than when we broke the record for noise.

 

[mikeak]

1) There is a really simple way to counter this. Everyone stay quiet during the first game against the Saints......... :sarcasm_off:

2) I do think it will help them. I think it is easy to understimate being told that you will have an issue communicating. If the players then come here and realize o crap we couldn't hear anything then they will have a completely different focus on silent counts etc leading up to a playoff game

 

[BocciHawk]

if they have to come back here for the NFC Championship? If we end up the 1 seed and they end up the 2, they will be coming here again. No doubt. I'm hoping they don't get a good feel for us in our stadium and somehow get used to the noise... what do you think? New Orleans is the only team that can beat us IMO

Did it help the all-world Kraepper when he played here last December then again in week 2? Yes Bree's is better than Papaki but it may work against the saints as well. If we win they are thinking Oh S, we have to go and play at that place AGAIN in the playoffs?

This. This is my opinion. If we take care of business on December 2nd, and kick their butts, they will not be looking forward to NFCCG in January... especially if the weather is worse (probably will be) and crowd even more rowdy (assuredly will be). Brees is mentally tougher, way tougher, than Kap, but conversely, the environment definitely gets into the head of the opponent...

 

[OrFan]

Like has been said already, did it help the Whiners? No.

I do think it will help our team. To know that you beat the opposing team in the same situation or location helps to build confidence that you can do it again. Like anything in life, winning in football is a muscle memory type of experience, if you have done it before, you can do it again.

 

[Lords of Scythia]

I don't like the Saints getting a reg season run-through on the 12th man--it can only help them if they have to come back in here.

They'll still lose.

 

[Blitzer88]

If both of us make it to the NFCCG and we have home field advantage than, yes it soul very well give them an advantage. However, how often lately, have the playoffs played out like everyone thought they would?

 

[plyka]

if they have to come back here for the NFC Championship? If we end up the 1 seed and they end up the 2, they will be coming here again. No doubt. I'm hoping they don't get a good feel for us in our stadium and somehow get used to the noise... what do you think? New Orleans is the only team that can beat us IMO

After watching the 49ers go into their stadium yesterday with the offense they have and make it so difficult to where the saints needed that penalty to tie it up and win, I just don't believe that the saints have a shot. Kap is a good QB because of all his tools, but the man is no Wilson. Wilson would torch them in New Orleans, they have no shot here at all.

 

[BlueTalons]

Not so sure the Saints even win their division...Panthers could catch them. Even so, one will be a Wild-Card.

 

[scutterhawk]

Of course, if we kick the living shit out of them on MNF it will help them by letting them know what awaits them in the playoffs.

X2 -THIS.

 

[Exittium]

I think everyone's giving the saints too much credit, I'm not selling them short, but IMO carolina is more of a challenge then the stains. The 4whiners kept punch for punch with them. I think we'll be fine it WILL BE CLOSE but we'll be fine, ahead, and win both times, that is if its even them and not carolina.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Yes it helps. It helps create a gnawing pit of despair in your soul having to come in here twice in one year to have the 12's wall of noise make your ears and eyes bleed.

 

[had2bhawk]

Naah, the Saints will have their hands full without the noise! The 12th man isn't anything a team can prepare for, no matter how many trial runs ya get. Too many variables from game to game.

 

[Vpk0718]

The 49ers were a questionable call away from beating the Saints in their own home yesterday. Them winning in the second round is not even close to a guarantee. Either Carolina or SF would have a decent shot.

 

[WilsonMVP]

Why are we assuming the Saints actually win their Division???

They have to play us, rams and panthers all away still, and panthers again at home.

Just taking the records into account right now, if Carolina beat the saints twice they would be 9-3 and saints would be 8-4 needing 2 wins to pass the Panthers

The Saints are also 6-0 at home this year but just 2-2 on the road.

On OFFENSE
Home 33.1
Away 22.25

On DEFENSE
Home 15.8
Away 22

For comparison to Seattle
Offense
Home 32.4
Away 24

Defense
Home 15.4
Away 17

At home both teams are almost identical but the saints are worse on the road than we are. They also still have to play @Seattle, @Carolina, and @Rams

 

[bigcc]

I dunno OP how did it work out for the 9ers after last year?

 

[HawkHack]

I think everyone's giving the saints too much credit, I'm not selling them short, but IMO carolina is more of a challenge then the stains. The 4whiners kept punch for punch with them. I think we'll be fine it WILL BE CLOSE but we'll be fine, ahead, and win both times, that is if its even them and not carolina.

Agreed. I would rather play the Saints in the playoffs than Carolina.

Of course, playing Carolina in the NFCCG would be a repeat of '05 where we ... shut ... them ... down.

Go Hawks!

 

[Hasselbeck]

Ask the 49ers how that worked out.

 

[pmedic920]

It may help them. But that's where coaching/game planning comes in. The staff just needs to be aware of the situation, and change things up enough to hold the advantage.
Nothing can be done about a returning team getting a feel for the clink.
That being said, I'd much rather play a team that had not played us recently.

 

[pmedic920]

Edit: double post.