Fading playoff hopes: New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees realises importance of situation – NFL News
The New Orleans Saints started off the 2012 season on a very poor note as they lost their first four games, against Washington Redskins (40-32), Carolina Panthers (35-27), Kansas City Chiefs (27-24 in OT) and Green Bay Packers (28-27).
It was a bit surprising for a team that had qualified for the 2011 playoffs to start the next season on such a miserable note. There could be a number of reasons including the infamous Bounty Scandal for the Saints debacle, but the record was still unbelievable
for some.
The Saints’ reputation in National Football Conference (NFC) South was further damaged as Atlanta Falcons made a heroic start to the season. At present, Falcons are leading the division at 10-1.
After a 0-4 start, Saints did not give up and did well to recover from the slump. They had to win as many games as possible to keep their playoff hopes alive.
They won two games in a row, but got another defeat. However, they continued bravely and went on to win three more games in a row. Although they will not be able to match the Falcons, they can have a shot at a wildcard playoff berth.
However, their hopes were once again dented as they were defeated by San Francisco 49ers in Week 12. The Saints (5-6) are ranked behind Falcons and Tamp Bay Buccaneers (6-5) in the division and have five more games to play in the regular season.
They are in a must-win situation if they want to qualify for the postseason. Their quarterback Drew Brees understands the importance of the situation and that is why he has expressed disappointment over the recent defeat against the 49ers.
Brees said after the loss:
“We had to win. It’s all right there in front of us.”
The quarterback added:
“I firmly believe that if we take care of our business and worry about ourselves, things will happen in a way in a way we envision and we’re going to have a chance at the end to get in (the playoffs). If we get in because we’ve rattled off a bunch of wins
in a row and we’re playing like that, look out. We can be a great job. We understand the sense of urgency and the small margin for error at this point.”
A playoff berth is not guaranteed even if Saints win all the rest of their games, but it will certainly boost their chances.
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