2013 NFL PREDICTIONS!!! (TYLER)

THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN

For Day 27 of my 2013 NFL Predictions i will break down the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS!

Last year in my mind the Saints were kind of an anomaly, with so many distractions from "bounty-gate" including a couple starters being suspended for most of the season if not the whole season, and not having head coach Sean Payton on the sidelines proved to be too much for the Saints to handle and they finished 7-9 on the season. QB Drew Brees is still the leader of this team however, and this offense should have no problems getting going this year up Sean Payton's tutelage. Offensive weapons include RBs Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, and Mark Ingram, TE Jimmy Graham, and WRs Marques Colston, and Lance Moore. Defensively the saints have never really been overly stout, but they do have solid players like DBs Roman Harper, Jim Leonard, and Jabari Greer, along with LBs Jonathan Vilma and Will Smith. Overall i don't see too many holes on this team, they aren't great in some positions like both O-Line and D-Line. I was very curious to see how the Saints would draft, and here's who they picked. 

ROUND 1: Kenny Vaccaro SS (Texas)

ROUND 3: Terron Armstead OT (Arkansas Pine-Bluff)

ROUND 3: John Jenkins DT (Georgia)

ROUND 5: Kenny Stills WR (Oklahoma)

ROUND 6: Rufus Johnson DE (Tarleton St.)

The Saints drafted well in my book, picking up Vaccaro as the best player available where they drafted is only going to strengthen their secondary. Terron Armstead and John Jenkins will both push to start in their respective positions. And Kenny Stills will get plenty of playing time in this pass-happy offense, plus it doesn't hurt to have Drew Brees throwing you the ball. Now the big question, will the Saints be able to rebound after a tough year last year? Lets take a look. 

OPPONENTS                                     W/L
ATLANTA                                              W
@ TAMPA BAY                                     L
ARIZONA                                              W
MIAMI (MONDAY)                                 W
@ CHICAGO                                          L
@ NEW ENGLAND                               L
BYE WEEK
BUFFALO                                              W
@ NEW YORK JETS                            W
DALLAS                                                 W
SAN FRANCISCO                                W
@ ATLANTA (THURSDAY)                   L
@ SEATTLE (MONDAY)                       L
CAROLINA                                            W
@ ST. LOUIS                                         L
@ CAROLINA                                       W
TAMPA BAY                                          W

FINAL RECORD                                 10 - 6

Analysis: I really think the NFL wanted to try to keep the Saints down, maybe as punishment, cause there aren't really any other teams that have three back to back road games, especially week 5 and 6 against Chicago and New England... ouch... the only good thing i can see there is they are early in the season and not in the bitter cold later in the year. Also week 12 and 13 at division rival Atlanta then go to Seattle? However, with the leadership back in place on this team, i don't see the Saints staying at 7-9 like last year. Unfortunately, i don't have the Saints back in the playoffs this year due to other teams out-performing them just enough.

What do you think the Saints will do this year. I'd love to hear your opinions also.

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