A few things need to go right Sunday for the Saints to win home-field advantage in the playoffs, starting with a win at Carolina, along with losses for the 49ers and Packers.
The Black and Gold had the luxury of resting starters last year but no dice this season. QB Drew Brees says even though it’s a long shot, there’s still a chance of home field, so it’s all hands on deck Sunday.
“You always make those decisions based on where you are, and the need for rest, if you have the ability to. Bottom line is we have to win to position ourselves in the best way possible,” says Brees.
The Panthers at 5-10 on the year, and fired longtime coach Ron Rivera, who coached the team when the Saints won a squeaker earlier this year 34-31.
Both the Saints and Packers play at 12 PM on FOX, so unless you have Sunday Ticket you’ll have to track the game on your phone. Tight end Jared Cook says the players can’t let the Packers game distract them.
“It depends on help from some other people, but you have to do everything in this league yourself, so we are going to focus on this last game and let the chips fall where they may,” says Cook.
The Packers play the 3-11-1 Lions and are 12.5 point favorites.
The Saints best chance of at least securing a bye-week is the Sunday Night matchup between the Seahawks and 49ers. Even if the Packers win, Brees knows a Seattle victory could give them much needed rest.
“We understand the importance of it because of home-field advantage, and you don’t have to play an additional game and then have the exposure from that. You would hate to lose somebody by having to play another game,” says Brees.
The 49ers are 3 point favorites, but the game is being played in Seattle.
