NFC South Scenarios: How the New Orleans Saints’ Playoff Journey Can Go
By John Hendrix
The NFC South is sadly one giant headache right now with all three potential division contenders sporting sub-.500 records. Trying to make sense of how things can play out in the final weeks is no easy task.
Luckily, ESPN has a 2014 NFL Playoff Machine that generates scenarios. With the New Orleans Saints winning against the Chicago Bears, they now move into possession of first place. However, things can go south very quickly if the Saints do not take care of business and beat the visiting Atlanta Falcons in Week 16.
Using the generator, here’s the scenarios the Saints look at in the NFC South:
Week 16 Scenarios
CLE beats CAR + NO beats ATL = NO in 1st
CAR beats CLE + NO beats ATL = NO in 1st
CAR beats CLE + ATL beats NO = CAR in 1st
CLE beats CAR + ATL beats NO = ATL in 1st
Week 17 Scenarios (Hold onto your butts)
If NO beats ATL, CLE beats CAR
NO beats TB = NO NFC South Champs
TB beats NO + ATL beats CAR = NO NFC South Champs
TB beats NO + CAR beats ATL = NO NFC South Champs
If NO beats ATL, CAR beats CLE
NO beats TB + CAR beats ATL = CAR NFC South Champs
NO beats TB + ATL beats CAR = NO NFC South Champs
TB beats NO + ATL beats CAR = NO NFC South Champs
TB beats NO + CAR beats ATL = CAR NFC South Champs
If ATL beats NO, CLE beats CAR
NO beats TB + ATL beats CAR = ATL NFC South Champs
NO beats TB + CAR beats ATL = NO NFC South Champs
If ATL beats NO, CAR beats CLE
NO beats TB + ATL beats CAR = ATL NFC South Champs
NO beats TB + CAR beats ATL = CAR NFC South Champs
Simply put, if the New Orleans Saints do not beat the Atlanta Falcons, it’s almost a moot point as to how Week 17 goes, as the Saints and their fans would have to hope Johnny Manziel can take care of the Panthers in Week 16, and then the Panthers would take care of business against the Falcons. A win against the Falcons will help the Saints control their destiny, so to speak.
Of course, the hideous truth of it all: the Saints will have to break a four game losing streak at home. They haven’t won a home game since October 30th against the Carolina Panthers, and lost their previous contest to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.