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Larry Holder | Nola.com
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2013/07/most_compelling_games_on_the_n_4.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/20 ... e_n_4.html</a>
Judging the most compelling games for the 2013 New Orleans Saints is a difficult proposition because of the unknown variables (injuries, new coaches/coordinators, etc.) that ultimately play out during the course of an NFL season.
I used multiple factors in ranking the Saints' 16 regular-season games, including anticipated quality of the opponent, the opposition's quarterback situation, game times (late in the season, early in the season, prime time) and potential weather conditions.
I'll unveil the list every weekday as we count down to training camp.
The rankings are from easiest to most difficult games. Let the debate begin.
No. 12: Dec. 15 -- at St. Louis, noon
QB ranking (among the 13 the Saints will face): Sam Bradford -- 8
Anticipated quality of opponent ranking: 10
The factors: If the Rams can take a step forward in Jeff Fisher's second season in St. Louis, then the Saints could be battling with the Rams for playoff positioning in Week 15. And Rob Ryan won't have to talk about being fired from the Rams since he left after about a week to take the Saints job.
It's time for Sam Bradford to play like the No. 1 overall pick as he enters his fourth season. The running backs and wide receivers are unrecognizable, so Bradford may struggle once again. St. Louis added pieces like Jake Long, Cortland Finnegan, Jared Cook, Tavon Austin and Alec Ogletree. The Rams have been pesky the last few times they played the Saints, so this matchup could be one to bite the Saints if they're not careful.
Fearless predictions: Darren Sproles will have a better game than his counterpart Austin. Charles Brown will fair much better this time around against Chris Long than he did in 2011.
No. 16: Sept. 22 -- vs. Arizona, noon
No. 15: Oct. 27 -- vs. Buffalo, noon (right after bye week)
No. 14: Sept. 30 -- vs. Miami, 7:40 p.m.
No. 13: Nov. 3 -- at New York Jets, noon
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2013/07/most_compelling_games_on_the_n_4.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/20 ... e_n_4.html</a>
Judging the most compelling games for the 2013 New Orleans Saints is a difficult proposition because of the unknown variables (injuries, new coaches/coordinators, etc.) that ultimately play out during the course of an NFL season.
I used multiple factors in ranking the Saints' 16 regular-season games, including anticipated quality of the opponent, the opposition's quarterback situation, game times (late in the season, early in the season, prime time) and potential weather conditions.
I'll unveil the list every weekday as we count down to training camp.
The rankings are from easiest to most difficult games. Let the debate begin.
No. 12: Dec. 15 -- at St. Louis, noon
QB ranking (among the 13 the Saints will face): Sam Bradford -- 8
Anticipated quality of opponent ranking: 10
The factors: If the Rams can take a step forward in Jeff Fisher's second season in St. Louis, then the Saints could be battling with the Rams for playoff positioning in Week 15. And Rob Ryan won't have to talk about being fired from the Rams since he left after about a week to take the Saints job.
It's time for Sam Bradford to play like the No. 1 overall pick as he enters his fourth season. The running backs and wide receivers are unrecognizable, so Bradford may struggle once again. St. Louis added pieces like Jake Long, Cortland Finnegan, Jared Cook, Tavon Austin and Alec Ogletree. The Rams have been pesky the last few times they played the Saints, so this matchup could be one to bite the Saints if they're not careful.
Fearless predictions: Darren Sproles will have a better game than his counterpart Austin. Charles Brown will fair much better this time around against Chris Long than he did in 2011.
No. 16: Sept. 22 -- vs. Arizona, noon
No. 15: Oct. 27 -- vs. Buffalo, noon (right after bye week)
No. 14: Sept. 30 -- vs. Miami, 7:40 p.m.
No. 13: Nov. 3 -- at New York Jets, noon
