Niner Noise
FanSided

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
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 31: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after tackling Michael Burton #46 of the Chicago Bears for no gain on third down in the first quarter of the game on December 31, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Path to the Super Bowl

In the NFC, the best path to the Super Bowl is to stay away from Minnesota — until the Super Bowl. The Vikings may be the 2-seed, but they are the NFC’s best team, and their seven home victories included a Week 1 win over the Saints.

The NFC’s top seed Philadelphia Eagles haven’t looked the part since the injury to quarterback Carson Wentz. The Saints would likely be Vegas favorites over the Eagles, and definite underdogs against Minnesota.

If the Saints win their first game, and the Rams defeat the Falcons at home, then the Saints will travel to Philadelphia for the divisional round. The winner of that game would travel to either Minnesota or Los Angeles for the NFC Championship game.

But first, the Saints need to beat the Carolina Panthers — for the third time this season, which is no easy task. And if either the Panthers or Falcons win their first game, the winner could quickly turn into 2018’s Cinderella Story.