New Orleans Saints still have playoff hopes

In a season of extreme ups and downs, including two wins over the defending Super Bowl champions Tampa Bay Bucs, a mid-season five-game losing skid, and most recently a 20-3 loss to the Dolphins at home on Monday Night Football, dropping the Saints to 7-8, New Orleans still has a chance to make the playoffs.

Most critical for the Saints and their playoff hopes is to win out, winning their final two games of the season against NFC South rivals the Panthers and the Falcons is a must.

At 9-8, the Saints then need some help from around the league with the 49ers and Vikings each losing one of their remaining games.

Additionally, the Saints don’t want to finish tied with the Eagles for the last playoff spot since Philadelphia has the head-to-head tie breaker with their win over the Saints in week 11.

The Eagles have Washington and Dallas left on their schedule.

Main takeaway, there’s a lot still up in the air. However, none of this matters if the Saints don’t run the table in the final two weeks.