With us only being a week shy of the halfway mark of the season, each fanbase begins to form their grounded opinions regarding their team, primarily, if the fruits of a playoff appearance will be rewarded for their team when the season closes.
For Saints fans, they know their 1-6 record doesn't tell the whole story for their franchise. Watching their team show flashes of being a capable squad, the thought of the Saints still becoming competitive in the division isn't completely out of the question.
Rising steadily in the NFL Power Rankings, fighting from dead last, if all the stars can align, string up their first few win streak, we'll see momentum build that'll make noise in a NFC South division that's potentially up for the taking,
Have Faith in the Storm Settling Over New Orleans, Their Oppourtunity is Now
Following their two matchups against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers & the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans will have back-to-back divisional rivals. If it goes its way, the team could be in contention for 1st in the division or sitting at second. But for those who question the probability of such an outcome, taking a deeper look into the next month could signal a turning point for the Saints.
Knocking off two tough opponents early in the season could spell trouble for the two teams sitting at 2nd & 3rd, ahead of New Orleans. Taking on the Bucaneers sitting at first won't be an easy task, but on the road without veteran Mike Evans, the Saints have an opportunity they need to seize this upcoming Sunday.
As if that would be difficult enough, the Saints then face a hot Rams squad who, in the Saints' favor, will be without their biggest threat, Puka Nacua. In addition to the Panthers' next two games being the Bills then Packers, and the Falcons facing the Patriots then Colts, these next two weeks are where we see New Orleans make their stand in the division.
From that point, it's back-to-back games with two rivals that'll hold huge weight into how the division looks, and who will represent the NFC South in the postseason. Mid-season has arrived in no time, and as far-fetched as this may seem for this all to go New Orleans' way, this long shot for the Saints can show that these next four games are where they need to pivot this season into a better direction.