3 Reasons to Believe Saints and Packers Will Be Back in NFC Mix Next Year

Despite 28 combined regular-season wins and over 1,000 points, both the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers were bounced from the 2012 NFL playoffs in the Divisional Round last weekend. The San Francisco 49ers dispatched the Saints with a last-second touchdown, and Green Bay was done in by a Giants team that simply played better in all phases than the hometown Packers. 

While the 2011-12 season came crashing down before either team made their mark in the postseason, both will have the chance to rectify that scenario next season. 

Here are the three main reasons why both the Saints and Packers will be right back in the NFC mix in 2012-13:

1. Elite Quarterbacks

The most obvious reason why both the Packers and Saints will be top NFC contenders again next season is the quarterback position. As long as Drew Brees is under center for New Orleans and Aaron Rodgers for Green Bay, each will be contenders.

It's easy to forget now, but the two players combined for over 100 touchdown passes and 10,000 yards this season. Anyone want to bet they push those numbers again next season? Any team with an elite quarterback has a chance in this modern age.   

2. Offenses

There has never been a season in which two offenses dominated a regular season quite like the Packers and Saints did in 2011. Each team broke into the top five of scoring offenses in NFL history, with the Packers at No. 2 and the Saints at No. 4. 

While each might lose important pieces—Saints could see the likes of Carl Nicks and Marques Colston walk, while the Packers have Jermichael Finley and Scott Wells as key offensive free agents—these will still be explosive offenses that are led by some of the top minds in NFL in Sean Payton and Mike McCarthy.

They may not have the record-breaking seasons we saw in 2011, but there's no reason to think the Saints or Packers will fall far from the top of NFL offenses.  

3. Offseason of retooling

Both teams got a loud wake-up call with early playoff losses. Sometimes, that can be a positive when addressing obvious weaknesses. Now, the Saints and Packers both must take a long look in the mirror, especially on defense.

Green Bay likely has more issues to address on that side of the ball, but GM Ted Thompson is a trusted evaluator of talent. He'll get to work to patch up a defense that allowed more passing yards than any unit in NFL history.

New Orleans has to replace the aggressive Gregg Williams, who went to be the Rams' new defensive coordinator. With a new scheme and some new faces, the Saints can hopefully improve next season.