Niner Noise
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Why the Saints are a dark-horse candidate to make Super Bowl LII

By Chris Wilson

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints throws to an open receiver during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints throws to an open receiver during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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Saints - Super Bowl
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints throws to an open receiver during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Don’t sleep on the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 NFL Playoffs. They may be the 4-seed in the NFC, but they have all the tools needed for a Super Bowl run.

Thanks to a wild Week 17 that included four losses by the six teams representing the NFC in the upcoming NFL Playoffs, the top two teams distanced themselves from the rest of the NFC playoff field.

The Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings — both ending the season at 13-3 — will have first-round byes, and the remaining teams — all 11-5 or 10-6 — will have to win an extra game to get to Super Bowl LII.

Which of these teams — the Los Angeles Rams, the New Orleans Saints, the Carolina Panthers or the Atlanta Falcons — has the best chance of making it to the big show in Minneapolis on February 4, 2018?

Although all four teams have comparable records, one team stands out. The New Orleans Saints are the most likely dark-horse candidate to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LII.

Here’s why.