Whatifsports NFC South rankings

[ncbobcat]

They figure this stuff out by running thousands of simulations and taking the averages. Again, these are simulations. They tend to be fairly accurate, but not extremely accurate in all cases. They'll nail some predictions, but others can be a good bit off.

The reason they say our schedule is so much harder is we play two first place teams in our non-rotational schedule. The Saints have to play two third place teams. I know two games shouldn't make that big of a difference, but apparently it is.

[QuasiYoda]

Most Exploitable Weakness: Schedule - As mentioned above, the Panthers play a remarkable 13 games against teams we project to be .500 or better. They play seven games against 2008 playoff teams and nine games against teams in our 2009 playoffs. There are deficiencies with everything about this team besides the running game and they will be exploited throughout the season by the great teams on the schedule.

Most exploitable weakness is schedule, cool, I can see that but they miss one of the more difficult facets of our schedule. The 3rd week Bye!

To have a Bye on the 3rd week added to the 2nd or 3rd toughest schedule in the league is a load of crap handed to us by the League. As if they are loading the schedule against us to keep us out of Post season because they want the large market teams for such play. Maybe Maybe not. Still Sucks either way.

We'll likely be hurting come December with no Patsies in sight

The League should have a strength of schedule chart and then award early season byes to those teams with the easiest schedules

[Galvatron]

schedules don't mean anything until half way into the season anyway.

It's funny, every year everyone makes predictions KNOWING how unpredictable the NFL is.

Amnesia, Its not just for soap operas anymore.

[beastson]

Its amazing how people always love the Aints and they always F it up

Isn't it? :nonod:

[Happy Panther]

Most exploitable weakness is schedule, cool, I can see that but they miss one of the more difficult facets of our schedule. The 3rd week Bye!

To have a Bye on the 3rd week added to the 2nd or 3rd toughest schedule in the league is a load of crap handed to us by the League. As if they are loading the schedule against us to keep us out of Post season because they want the large market teams for such play. Maybe Maybe not. Still Sucks either way.

We'll likely be hurting come December with no Patsies in sight

The League should have a strength of schedule chart and then award early season byes to those teams with the easiest schedules

This would be a great analysis to run...to see if bye week is correlated with win-loss record. To prove your theory.

[carpanfan96]

2003 - bye week - week 3 - playoffs - SB

2004 - bye week - week 3 - 7-9

2005 - bye week - week 7 - playoffs - NFCCG

2006 - bye week - week 9 - 7-9

2007 - bye week - week 7 - 7-9

2008 - bye week - week 9 - playoffs - NFCDG

2009 - bye week - week 4 - ????????

[Delhommey]

I can't disagree with anything that article says. I also can't disagree with the fact our season hinges on our pass defense.

[Kyle82]

Life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life?

-Aldo Nova

[panthers55]

They figure this stuff out by running thousands of simulations and taking the averages. Again, these are simulations. They tend to be fairly accurate, but not extremely accurate in all cases. They'll nail some predictions, but others can be a good bit off.

The reason they say our schedule is so much harder is we play two first place teams in our non-rotational schedule. The Saints have to play two third place teams. I know two games shouldn't make that big of a difference, but apparently it is.

But part of that is offset by the fact that they play us twice and we were 12-4 and we play them twice and they were 8-8.

[ncbobcat]

But part of that is offset by the fact that they play us twice and we were 12-4 and we play them twice and they were 8-8.

True, but I did have a typo. I totally forgot that the Saints were last place. It's hard to believe, but the Bucs finished in 3rd. That means the Saints have the mighty Rams and Lions to play while we have the Cardinals and the Vikings to play.

Off the top of my head, that's what, like a 13 game victory discrepancy when looking at those four teams. That's just the REGULAR season not counting the Cards postseason wins.

edit-The difference in win totals for the above mentioned teams is 17 GAMES, 20 if the Cards 3 postseason games are counted.

Due to those games alone, the Saints will be given credit for 2 wins.

[bigdog_10_2002]

It's going to be a tight race in the south this year and I think the first one to 9 games wins the division

[ncbobcat]

I think someone hits 10 wins, but no more. What If simulated our games close and stated we could feast or famine in those close games. I guess we could be like the 2003 team, hopefully on the winning end of a bunch of close games. Realistically, we are not going to blow the door off of many of our opponents. This team will have to man up in those close games to pull them out.

The reason I give What If a lot of credence is bacause their trends and predictions are more correct than not. Last season they close to spot-on with the Panthers.