Making a list of the most compelling games on the New Orleans Saints
2014 schedule is a tricky proposition. There's no way of predicting yet
how a new coaching staff might affect a team, what injuries might occur,
or what players might step up this season.
So I used a combination of factors, including how the Saints have
fared against a certain opponent in recent memory, the location and time
of the game, weather conditions and how the opponents fared in the
offseason.
This list isn't necessarily ranked from most difficult to least difficult, although that one of the main factors.
We'll post a new game every weekday as we draw closer to training camp.
No. 4: Dec. 15 at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
Last season's record: 8-8, 2nd place NFC North
Roster shuffle: Drafted CB Kyle Fuller, DT Ego
Ferguson, DT Will Sutton, RB Ka'Deem Carey, S Brock Vereen. Signed DE
Lamarr Houston, DE Jared Allen, DE Willie Young, C Brian de la Puente.
Lost DT Henry Melton, QB Josh McCown, DE Corey Wootton, WR Devin Hester,
S Major Wright. Released DE Julius Peppers, WR Earl Bennett.
Making a list of the most compelling games on the New Orleans Saints
2014 schedule is a tricky proposition. There's no way of predicting yet
how a new coaching staff might affect a team, what injuries might occur,
or what players might step up this season.
So I used a combination of factors, including how the Saints have
fared against a certain opponent in recent memory, the location and time
of the game, weather conditions and how the opponents fared in the
offseason.
This list isn't necessarily ranked from most difficult to least difficult, although that one of the main factors.
We'll post a new game every weekday as we draw closer to training camp.
No. 4: Dec. 15 at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
Last season's record: 8-8, 2nd place NFC North
Roster shuffle: Drafted CB Kyle Fuller, DT Ego
Ferguson, DT Will Sutton, RB Ka'Deem Carey, S Brock Vereen. Signed DE
Lamarr Houston, DE Jared Allen, DE Willie Young, C Brian de la Puente.
Lost DT Henry Melton, QB Josh McCown, DE Corey Wootton, WR Devin Hester,
S Major Wright. Released DE Julius Peppers, WR Earl Bennett.
Coaching situation: Marc Trestman is entering his second season
The lowdown: This matchup definitely doesn't do the Saints any favors in regards to their road troubles.
The Saints finally broke the Soldier Field losing streak with a 26-18
victory in Chicago last year. However, 60 degrees will be downright
balmy compared to the temperatures a December night game in Chicago
could bring.
The weather alone could make this game one of the most difficult on
the schedule. The Bears hosted one December night game last year -- a
contest that had kickoff temperatures of eight degrees with a wind chill
of negative nine.
Since 2006, the Saints are 2-4 when temperatures at kickoff are 32
degrees or less, including three straight losses at Soldier Field.
However, the team has won its last two games in cold temperatures, with
wins against the Philadelphia Eagles last season (25 degrees at kickoff)
and the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010 (32 degrees at kickoff).
The Bears struggled defensively last season, its first without coach
Lovie Smith since 2004. Their offseason focus has been upgrading the
unit, signing Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston, and drafting first-round
cornerback Kyle Fuller. Weather aside, this team could be a much bigger
challenge than the one the Saints faced last season.
Coaching situation: Marc Trestman is entering his second season
The lowdown: This matchup definitely doesn't do the Saints any favors in regards to their road troubles.
The Saints finally broke the Soldier Field losing streak with a 26-18
victory in Chicago last year. However, 60 degrees will be downright
balmy compared to the temperatures a December night game in Chicago
could bring.
The weather alone could make this game one of the most difficult on
the schedule. The Bears hosted one December night game last year -- a
contest that had kickoff temperatures of eight degrees with a wind chill
of negative nine.
Since 2006, the Saints are 2-4 when temperatures at kickoff are 32
degrees or less, including three straight losses at Soldier Field.
However, the team has won its last two games in cold temperatures, with
wins against the Philadelphia Eagles last season (25 degrees at kickoff)
and the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010 (32 degrees at kickoff).
The Bears struggled defensively last season, its first without coach
Lovie Smith since 2004. Their offseason focus has been upgrading the
unit, signing Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston, and drafting first-round
cornerback Kyle Fuller. Weather aside, this team could be a much bigger
challenge than the one the Saints faced last season.
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