New Orleans Saints: Just how important is the No. 1 seed?

New Orleans Saints: Just how important is the No. 1 seed for New Orleans?

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after throwing a nine-yard touchdown pass to running back Darren Sproles #43 and breaks the single-season passing record in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 26, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Analysis: What Does This All Mean?

When you look at the numbers, the message is pretty clear: be the No. 1 seed. All teams from the last six Super Bowls, with the exception of Atlanta, because, of course, were either the No. 1 seed or beat the No. 1 seed on their path to the Super Bowl.

Notably, Baltimore was the only team that did not have a first-round bye and made it to the Super Bowl. It’s pretty telling that out of the past 12 teams to play in the Super Bowl, only one got there through the Wildcard round – and it was six years ago.

Several reasons insinuate the significance of a No. 1/No. 2 seed:

1. Extra week of rest and recovery from injury, potentially gaining back key players as a result.

2. Comparably, the other teams get beat up and risk losing players to injury in the Wildcard round.

3. If you ask the bookies (I don’t), home-field advantage is worth three points.

4. Insight gained from seeing the opponent’s best game plan in the Wildcard matchup.

Most importantly, a top seed obviously requires the best record, so it should come as no surprise that their success continues into the playoffs.