Sports

Saints Win But Are Eliminated From NFL Playoffs

Update: The New Orleans Saints beat the best team in the NFL on Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles, but were still eliminated from the playoffs.

The Saints’ gritty 20-10 victory made it three in a row for the surging team from New Orleans, but Tampa Bay’s win over the Carolina Panthers locked up the division for the Tom Brady-led team.

The Saints will try to make it four in a row against the Panthers next week.

Heading into the weekend, there was a small possibility that the New Orleans Saints could make the playoffs, even given how bad they’ve played their 2022 schedule. Of course, they’re longer are in control of their own destiny.

Can The Saints Make The Playoffs?

The Saints can no longer make the playoffs after Tampa Bay’s win against the Panthers, but here’s how it could have all happened if the ball bounced the right way.

For the Saints to have made the playoffs with nine losses, here’s the mathematical formula that needs to happen.

New Orleans has to win its last two games, including against Carolina.
Tampa Bay needs to lose its last three games.

For the Saints to have mace the playoffs with 10 losses, here’s the mathematical formula that needs to happen.

New Orleans has to win one of its last two games, including against Carolina.
Tampa Bay needs to lose its last three games.

What Are The Remaining Games In The NFC South?

The Saints remaining games are:

Vs. Carolina (7-9), Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, 1 p.m., FOX

Tampa Bay’s remaining games are:

at Atlanta (6-10), Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, 1 p.m., FOX

Carolina’s remaining games are:

at New Orleans (6-9), Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, 1 p.m., FOX

Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen says New Orleans displayed “Big Boy NFL Football” in the victory against Cleveland.

Final Word

The Saints are trying to right the ship after a horrendous first half of the season, but the NFC South has been so bad this year, that anything is possible. Hopefully that “anything,” includes some Saints winning football.

More From NolaFi.com:

Keisha Smith

Keisha Smith is a Contributing Writer who attended college at Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge. She is currently writing a book on south Louisiana culture.