Reducing my prediction of 12-4 for the New Orleans Saints
By Dean Mullen
A lot of fascinating events have occurred since the NFL Draft months ago. This is why the bold prediction of 12-4 has to be reduced. Sorry Who Dat Nation…
There is no doubt, that my 12-4 record prediction was the FIRST bold thing that came out of any reporters’ mouth for the New Orleans Saints in 2017 back a few months ago. That being said, there were plenty of “Debbie Downers” back then attacking. Ultimately, not many people jumped on the bandwagon with me for the 12-4 prediction.
Here was my full game by game predictions for 2017.
Plenty of experts probably scoffed at the article and my prediction. Still to this very second, there are plenty of doubters. Here are six knuckleheads from CBS right here.
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Five of the six writers have the Saints going 8-8, and the other EXPERT has the same ole 7-9 finish. Really? By the way, these records came from computers, experts, and the geniuses in Las Vegas. Also, this article was posted just a few weeks ago on Aug. 11, 2017. So that’s just one site with six similar predictions.
Let’s try another reputable national news source. USA Today back on July 24th picked us to improve to a hefty 8-8 record. That’s not exactly exciting either. Another source with little expectations.
One more try…Sports Illustrated back in March, took a stab at the Saints’ record for 2017. And again, I want to make clear there is no science to this. Experts and nuclear chemists can some up with all the algorithms they want. Nothing is certain, especially in the NFL.
Sports Illustrated was the biggest of the DEBBIE DOWNERS. On May 9th, SI predicted the Saints would fall to a never before 6-10 finish under Sean Payton. Ouch!
Enough of that
Ok enough already! Debbie Downer can go visit Atlanta. Obviously, there were many Atlanta fans celebrating way before the final 00:00 in Super Bowl LI. Perhaps Debbie slept in that day. Regardless, it’s now 2017 folks. And if any of y’all think that rose colored glasses have followed me in 2016: THINK AGAIN
Last year, the prediction from me was a 6-10 finish. But all that doesn’t matter. This is now and that was then. The New Orleans Saints have had an interesting off season to say the least. The NFL Draft was the high point in my opinion. After that, things got mucked up. The Saints have faced numerous injuries and even a suspension.
As a result, optimism has waned quite a bit till the preseason started. Then, the defense was born again. Ironically, it was the offense that struggled mightily in the preseason. The defense looked like a totally different bunch of ruffians.
The prediction
So where does that put us now? Sorry Saints fans, but the 12-4 record is just too optimistic for me this year. Reaching the pinnacle of 12 wins is just too difficult for this young team. Regrettably, that number was way too high.
However, there is a foundation that is solidly built with this 2017 team. Although I can’t go with a 12-4 finish, the record that fits this team this year will be 11-4-1! The one game that will change from the win-loss column to a tie, will be the game against the Los Angeles Rams. Somehow the Rams always play us tough. So there it is! The one tie game that will drop us from 12-4 to 11-4-1.
Props to WDSU’s sports reporter Fletcher Mackel. He is likely the sole reporter to pick the Saints to finish at a 12-4 record. Fletcher wins the optimism award for this years’ Saints. All in all, Who Dat Nation surely is gonna be happy with either 11 or 12 wins. This year is gonna a GREAT one.