Every Thursday right here you can read Inside the Dome, where we’ll get into a different topic on the Saints/the NFL as a whole, break down the Black and Gold, and talk about where things stand in the shield. In this week’s edition, the final week of the regular season is upon us, and the Saints are still alive.
Here’s how the Black and Gold can clinch a playoff spot this Sunday:
The Saints are alive for both a wild card spot and the NFC South title. While the odds on both are slim, the path to winning the NFC South is both far more clear, and far more likely to occur.
First things first, the Saints must win on Sunday against the Falcons at home. A Saints win and a Tampa Bay loss to Carolina would give the Saints the division title. Technically, the Saints could also tie and have Tampa lose for the same result. A New Orleans tie and a Tampa Bay loss also gives the Saints the division.
Pretty simple there.
As for if the Saints and Buccaneers both win and the NFC South is off the table, it gets a bit more murky.
If the Saints win, then both the Packers and Seahawks would have to lose (or tie) for the Saints to make a wild card spot. Interestingly enough, the Saints game is in the early slot along with Tampa while both Seattle and Green Bay play in the second slot, so the Saints will know their rooting interest by the time their game ends.
The Saints could also tie and have both Green Bay and Seattle lose (no tie) and make the wild card spot that way.
It’s shaping up to be a hectic final week of the regular season, and the Saints need some help in order to make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
