1st & 5:
Saints 2013 Schedule Outlook
The NFL Schedule Announcement for the new season is always a highly anticipated event. Fans, having gone through all of their football withdrawals since December & January, wait for this one day. Yes, we already knew the opponents we’d face, but the schedule is one of those Rubix Cube items that we look forward to. For the Saints, it features a very interesting layout to say the least. In case you haven’t seen it, let’s review the current schedule…
9/8 Atlanta 12:00PM
9/15 @Tampa Bay 3:05PM
9/22 Arizona 12:00PM
9/30 Miami 7:30PM *PRIMETIME – MNF*
10/6 @Chicago 12:00PM
10/13 @New England 3:25PM
**** BYE WEEK ****
10/27 Buffalo 12:00PM
11/3 @NY Jets 12:00PM
11/10 Dallas 7:30PM *PRIMETIME – SNF*
11/17 San Francisco 3:25PM
11/21 @Atlanta 7:25PM *PRIMETIME – TNF*
12/2 @Seattle 7:30PM *PRIMETIME – MNF*
12/8 Carolina 12:00PM
12/15 @St. Louis 12:00PM
12/22 @Carolina 12:00PM
12/29 Tampa Bay 12:00PM
So we start the season opening up against hated divisional foe Atlanta, which you can look at potentially as a ‘statement’ game. Just last like season, this will be an opener where all of the emotions will run at an all-time high. During the first six, I can easily see 4-2 going into the bye week. Chicago (10-6) will be a tough foe, and New England speaks for itself.
Coming off the bye week, Buffalo & New York are subject to classic ‘trap games’, but I still see us coming out on top there. Dallas is a primetime matchup, and historically, the Saints have owned the Cowboys in the last 8 meetings (7-1). At this point, there’s no reason the Saints couldn’t be 7-2.
Then enters the most brutal part of the 2013 schedule, which is obviously debatable, but you can either look at playing Chicago & New England back to back on the road, playing Dallas, San Fran, Atlanta, & Seattle in a four week stretch, or finishing out the season on the road 4 out of 6 games. But, I will stick to playing San Francisco at home, and then playing Atlanta on a short week, then traveling out the Seattle.
Having said all of this, and I realize it’s extremely early….12 wins is feasible, 11 seems reasonable. I see a potential split with Atlanta (as much as that pains me) or other NFC South foe, Chicago, New England, San Francisco, and Seattle. These serve as potential ‘problem’ games. Of the 2013 opponents that are non-NFC South, we played only Dallas & San Francisco. We get a chance to rectify last year, and the year before once more.
9/15 @Tampa Bay 3:05PM
9/22 Arizona 12:00PM
9/30 Miami 7:30PM *PRIMETIME – MNF*
10/6 @Chicago 12:00PM
10/13 @New England 3:25PM
**** BYE WEEK ****
10/27 Buffalo 12:00PM
11/3 @NY Jets 12:00PM
11/10 Dallas 7:30PM *PRIMETIME – SNF*
11/17 San Francisco 3:25PM
11/21 @Atlanta 7:25PM *PRIMETIME – TNF*
12/2 @Seattle 7:30PM *PRIMETIME – MNF*
12/8 Carolina 12:00PM
12/15 @St. Louis 12:00PM
12/22 @Carolina 12:00PM
12/29 Tampa Bay 12:00PM
So we start the season opening up against hated divisional foe Atlanta, which you can look at potentially as a ‘statement’ game. Just last like season, this will be an opener where all of the emotions will run at an all-time high. During the first six, I can easily see 4-2 going into the bye week. Chicago (10-6) will be a tough foe, and New England speaks for itself.
Coming off the bye week, Buffalo & New York are subject to classic ‘trap games’, but I still see us coming out on top there. Dallas is a primetime matchup, and historically, the Saints have owned the Cowboys in the last 8 meetings (7-1). At this point, there’s no reason the Saints couldn’t be 7-2.
Then enters the most brutal part of the 2013 schedule, which is obviously debatable, but you can either look at playing Chicago & New England back to back on the road, playing Dallas, San Fran, Atlanta, & Seattle in a four week stretch, or finishing out the season on the road 4 out of 6 games. But, I will stick to playing San Francisco at home, and then playing Atlanta on a short week, then traveling out the Seattle.
Having said all of this, and I realize it’s extremely early….12 wins is feasible, 11 seems reasonable. I see a potential split with Atlanta (as much as that pains me) or other NFC South foe, Chicago, New England, San Francisco, and Seattle. These serve as potential ‘problem’ games. Of the 2013 opponents that are non-NFC South, we played only Dallas & San Francisco. We get a chance to rectify last year, and the year before once more.
My Top 5 Matchups for 2013: Atlanta (Home Opener), @Chicago, @New England, San Francisco, @Seattle – speaks for themselves, but it is mostly the road opponents in fairly hostile territory. Just be thankful none of these key away games were in December.
Most Anticipated Matchup: Debatable, but I’m going to go with New England. There’s so much at stake potentially for this game, especially going into a bye week afterwards. One thing worth pointing out is New England comes off a road matchup against Cincinatti. I’m sure no one has forgotten 2009 either, especially Tom Brady.
Most Underrated Matchup: Miami (MNF) – I simply think given the number of changes this offense has made, we’re supposed to see a different Dolphins team. I originally scratched my head at this Monday Night Matchup, but it definitely makes more sense when you peel back to layers.
Worth A Look: New York Jets (because of Chris Ivory mainly, but all of the changes), will we see Geno Smith by here? Will Mark Sanchez be able to turn things around with a different style of offense?
Most Anticipated Matchup: Debatable, but I’m going to go with New England. There’s so much at stake potentially for this game, especially going into a bye week afterwards. One thing worth pointing out is New England comes off a road matchup against Cincinatti. I’m sure no one has forgotten 2009 either, especially Tom Brady.
Most Underrated Matchup: Miami (MNF) – I simply think given the number of changes this offense has made, we’re supposed to see a different Dolphins team. I originally scratched my head at this Monday Night Matchup, but it definitely makes more sense when you peel back to layers.
Worth A Look: New York Jets (because of Chris Ivory mainly, but all of the changes), will we see Geno Smith by here? Will Mark Sanchez be able to turn things around with a different style of offense?
Heading into 2013, we obviously don't know where we will finish, but we can always look to what we have as opposed to last season. My money is on Sean Payton will provide the leadership that was missing for last season, and Rob Ryan will help make us a very respectable defense. Look for a much better season!
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