Let's all take a deep breath and look at 2011

Yes because that was a normal offensive game, but they still started out sluggish. If you would read the last sentence of my post you would see that we would have had two scoring TD drives rather then the one in the GB game

You can say "if this" and "if that" but the reality is that the two teams are not comparable because it was clear from the offset that the 2011 offense was very good, but the 2017 offense struggled all night and only scored once on a gift of a drive.

I just can't see the two seasons being anything similar because that would require the offense to somehow become dominant next week. The 2011 offense had the most yards ever. I just don't see this team repeating that feat.

I understand the general premise you're working with here - people were probably similarly melting after the first game in 2011 (WTF WAS THE DEFENSE?) and it worked out. I hope that is the case here, but more likely is we're going to head into the bye week injured and 0-4. Sorry. :/

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Rodgers 312 ---- Bradford 346

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Rodgers throwing for 312 isnt too much cause for concern

Bradford throwing for 346 and 4 tds is pretty much time to panic

OP, i know you are being optimistic but there is much more cause for concern. 2009/10 we fielded respectable defenses and knew we had a good offense. Aside from 2013, 2011-16 has been a disaster. I watch other teams play also but I've never seen a team give up such wide open spaces to WRs like the Saints have year in and year out. You might see it occasionally or a bad D might do it 2-3 times a game but this is absurd. When you drop 8 back in coverage, there is no excuse for a wide open player, especially on 3rd down, all the time.

Regarding the O, I'm not as concerned. Our Oline starts off slow every year and Strief being out does hurt. I think our O will turn it around. I even think when the year is done we will have respectable running game yards. I like the Peterson signing and hope we use him like Hightower. I hated the way we used him last night and felt Ingram should have started also.

On the bright side, special teams seems ok, Fleener was a big surprise also. It's obvious our LBs are much improved but they are stuck between below par Dline and a secondary that doesn't know their assignments. I bashed Harris quite a bit but watching replay, I think Vaccaro was the culprit a couple of those big plays.

We will see, hopefully team comes out hot against the Patriots. Hopefully special teams keeps clicking and O comes out strong like the old O. The D just needs to know their dang assignment, there is talent on the D this year. Vaccaro needs to shape up.

So we won't look like idiots....but will we win?
Will we be better than 7-9 this year?
I love the optimism, but how many more 7-9 seasons ?

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Lost by 10 points in both games

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What? How can you even compare the two? That 2011 game was one of the most exciting games the Saints ever played as both teams were really outstanding that year. The Saints lost by 8 and were stuffed at the goal line as time expired.

2011 - back to back playoffs and a super bowl

2017 - not so much