The Saints will sit at home this weekend and wait to see who will visit the Superdome on January 13 in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Seattle travels to Dallas in the Wild Card round, and Chicago will host the Philadelphia Eagles. Which match-up will the Saints end up with?
We can only guess at this point, but former Saints linebacker Scott Shanle expects a rematch for the Saints with one of three teams that beat them in the regular season.
“I know the Cowboys beat the Saints, but I think that’s the team that will get this Saints team the most revved up,” Shanle explained.
In 2009 when the Saints had the first round bye, they hosted the Arizona Cardinals in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead after Tim Hightower ripped off a long touchdown run in the opening possession of the game. Shanle played in that game and offered his take on rest vs. rust
“The teams that win in the Wild Card weekend, they will start the Divisional Round a little more crisp. The teams that are coming off the bye week, it will take them a bit to get back to game speed. But when the fresh legs kick in from the bye week, it will be noticeable.”