Is there ANY way the Saints can make the playoffs without Reggie Bush and Deuce McCallister?

Question

Will they have to air it out every play and pray the defense keeps improving and forcing turnovers?

Or is it just time for me to pack it up and "wait till next year."?

I don't think the need the Vikes to lose twice....I think the Saints (as of now) would own all tiebreakers over the other teams scrapping for the last wild card.

Answer 1

Wait till next year. Without Duece they arent going to make the playoff's

Answer 2

Yes they can. The offense looked pretty good against the Falcons. Say what you want about the Dirty Birds, but their problem has been offense this year. Their defense is pretty good even with the loss of Patrick Kerney. When Deuce went down for the season, the strength of the Saints instantly became the passing game, thus the reason Brees leads the NFL in completions and attempts. As far as running, Stecker can run between the tackles in a way that Bush cant (I'm not saying Bush can't run between the tackles, because he can, Stecker is just better at it). And Pierre Thomas can do his thing when given the chance. If they keep throwing the ball the way they did Monday, the line gives Brees the time to find receivers, the Saints could go 9-7 and grab a wildcard. But either way, you don't shut it down and tank the rest of the way. That's a punk move

Answer 3

We still have a slim chance left to make the playoffs. The Vikings have to lose one of their last three games and we have to win out. We do own all the tie-breakers over the teams left.
I think we have a better chance if we run the ball effectively. Seems like everyone expects us to throw the ball, so if we can run the ball we stand a better chance.

Look C, if nothing else we beat the Falcons twice and killed their coach. What more could a Saints fan ask for?

Answer 4

Yes...

1. They need to win the next 3

2. They need the Giants to lose their last 3

3. They need Minn to lose 2.

That gives a 3-way tie at 9 - 7.

Tie breaker would go to the Saints as they would be 8 - 4 in confrence NYG would be 7-5 and Minn would be 7 - 5

Has nothing to do with Reggie Bush... Aaron Steckler is better than Reggie Bush

Answer 5

I think it's a slim chance, but not having Bush won't kill them.

Stecker can move the chains, and Brees seems to be keeping the airshow going. If anything, that may open the running lanes some, so we may say more Stecker than expected.

Tampa is better positioned to win the South, and at 6-7 the wildcard would require a lot of help, combined with wins of Arizona, Chicago and Philly.

I think they'll finish 8-8, and regroup for next year.

Answer 6

I love the Saints and will continue to believe as long as there is hope, but I really do believe that I'd rather see them in the playoffs with Reggie and Deuce together again. Even if they do make the playoffs (and I do believe they can with the Colston/Brees connection), they will not go very far after that. Next year is a whole new year. Who dat!

Answer 7

I don't think so. The Vikings are looking like a playoff team and have had one of the best offenses in the country over the past couple weeks. They might win out, which will eliminate the Saints.

Answer 8

I packed it up after the loss to Tampa Bay. I love my boys, but this year is not it. Playoffs, playoffs??? To speak honestly and bluntly, we have looked like a NFC playoff calibur team from time to time, but the fact is, is that we've never had a winning record ALL year, only hitting .500 twice (at 0-0 and 4-4). It really hurts that Deuce is out, but Stecker is doing better than Reggie. Reggie has not yet found his groove, and is still getting use to taking hits. No need to 'air it out' Stecker brought a rushing game that we missed all season long. Stecker gave us our first 100 yd rusher this season. We should win out the rest of games, but which Saints team will come to play? (The Saints of '06 or the Saints of the begginning of '07)
So, lets fix the "jason david' problem first and see what awaits us next year.

Who dat??????????????????????

edit - F U Darko gay-boy we did it last year, check your notes, or did u simply forget the final 4 teams last year cause yours wasnt there?

Answer 9

I don't think the Bush loss is a killer, because Aaron Stecker is a better every-down back than Bush. The loss of Reggie hurts a little in spreading the offense, but I'd rather give the ball to Stecker than Bush in the backfield. There's also much less chance that Stecker is going to put the ball on the ground as compared to the fumble machine that is Bush.

Honestly, this hurts the passing game much more than it does their running game.

Answer 10

No they need both those players who contribute more to the team than anyone else. Drew Brees is good and he is a contributer but he needs some help and Bush and McCalister are usually there to back him up. I mean, they almost made the finals last year. If they have a healthy team then they are a great team.