Following the release of the New Orleans Saints’ schedule on May 7, one must take a moment to notice the complexity of it.
They open the season at home, have three primetime games, and play a unique Friday game on Christmas.
Without further ado, here is a look at the Saints’ 2020 schedule with predictions regarding the outcomes.
Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New Orleans opens the season at home in what should be a thrilling game between Drew Brees and Tom Brady. While New Orleans has been historically better than the Bucs, the Saints will not be able to prepare adequately for Brady, who is a much better quarterback than Jameis Winston.
Prediction: Buccaneers win
Week 2: at Las Vegas Raiders (MNF)
After opening the year in Carolina, the Raiders play the first game in their new stadium against another NFC team. However, Las Vegas fans won’t be too happy when the Saints storm in on Monday night and take over the city, using their explosive offense and sturdy defense to defeat the Raiders.
Prediction: Saints win
Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers (SNF)
This should be a thriller on primetime television. The Saints and Packers will meet in New Orleans, but home-field advantage likely won’t have an impact. Aaron Rodgers against Drew Brees, Michael Thomas compared to Davante Adams, and Aaron Jones opposite Alvin Kamara should all be thrilling matchups, But all around, Green Bay’s defense will one-up New Orleans.
Prediction: Packers win
Week 4: at Detroit Lions
The Saints have the upper-hand at nearly every position on offense and arguably an all-around better defense, too. On the road, New Orleans won’t be hampered by the travel situation as they will dominate in Detroit and cruise to their second victory of the season. With that said, it will be interesting to see how New Orleans handles Detroit’s two-headed monster of Kerryon Johnson and D’Andre Swift Jr.
Prediction: Saints win
Week 5: vs. Los Angeles Chargers (MNF)
This could prove to be one of those primetime matchups that boils down to the final drive. However, the Chargers lack a true veteran presence at quarterback and this will hurt them late in the game, allowing the Saints to capture the football and secure a late score. It should be thrilling to watch the Los Angeles secondary square off against Emmanuel Sanders and Michael Thomas.
Prediction: Saints win
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: vs. Carolina Panthers
The Saints host one of their division-mates at home in their first clash against the Teddy Bridgewater-led Panthers. Carolina should make this a close game with their new-look team and an impressive system, but New Orleans should be favored at home. With that said, it will be interesting to see how the New Orleans defense shuts down Bridgewater and Christian McCaffrey.
Prediction: Saints win
Week 8: at Chicago Bears
The Bears possess one of football’s brightest defenses, but that won’t stop one of football’s best offenses in New Orleans. Despite Chicago’s solid brick wall, New Orleans will succeed immensely when forcing Mitchell Trubisky to make poor decisions. Watching the New Orleans secondary bait Trubisky will truly be a fun activity.
Prediction: Saints win
Week 9: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (SNF)
Tampa Bay got the better of the Saints in New Orleans in Week 1, but the opposite will be the case on the second occasion. New Orleans will be prepared for Brady this time around and will find themselves successful in shutting down Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Rather, the biggest thing to watch here will be New Orleans’ fast-paced offense against an impressive Tampa defense.
Prediction: Saints win
Week 10: vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Saints and Niners will meet again after the latter emerged victorious in the 2019 bout. George Kittle torched the Saints late in the game last season and will do so again in 2020. Further, San Francisco’s running backs will run all over New Orleans while Kyle Shanahan will utilize Deebo Samuel’s versatility to counter Sean Payton’s trickiness.
Prediction: 49ers win
Week 11: vs. Atlanta Falcons
In their first meeting of the season, the Falcons travel to New Orleans and pull off somewhat of an upset. Todd Gurley will get the better of the Saints’ defense despite their success in shutting down the passing game. Expect this to be somewhat of a high-scoring affair with both offenses expected to impress.
Prediction: Falcons win
Week 12: at Denver Broncos
The warm-weathered Saints will travel to Denver amidst a frigid winter. On the road, New Orleans will struggle against a sturdy Denver defense. However, more impressive will be Drew Lock and Courtland Sutton as the duo manages to rip apart what many consider to be a top defense in New Orleans. Also, expect Phillip Lindsay and Melvin Gordon to find success on the ground.
Prediction: Broncos win
Week 13: at Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons got the better of the Saints the first time around, but New Orleans has the upper hand here. Much like they did against the Buccaneers, the Saints will see more success against the Falcons the second time. They will figure out both the ground and air games of their opposition en route to a commanding victory as the playoff race heats up.
Prediction: Saints win
Week 14: at Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles addressed a few concerns this offseason, but struggled to improve overall. Their wide receiver corps is weak and Miles Sanders hasn’t quite proven he can be durable enough to play at a high level for a full season. Watch for New Orleans to completely shut down Philadelphia’s offense while their own play-making unit does enough to win on the road.
Prediction: Saints win
Week 15: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs will continue to look like a Super Bowl-caliber team and they should see no trouble in Week 15, even against a strong team like the Saints. Patrick Mahomes could struggle against New Orleans’ linebackers, but Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman should be able to create the separation necessary to produce on offense.
Prediction: Chiefs win
Week 16: vs. Minnesota Vikings (Christmas)
New Orleans has continuously been dealt blows in the playoffs at the hands of the Vikings. However, on a unique Christmas Day stage, the two will battle in a shootout fashion before New Orleans pulls away late. Expect the run game to flourish with Alvin Kamara producing several short bursts up the middle. However, the same could be expected on the other side of the field as Dalvin Cook challenges a solid Saints defense.
Prediction: Saints win
Week 17: at Carolina Panthers
The Panthers pull out one last win in the final week of the season against the Panthers. They will get the better of Bridgewater and McCaffrey but the true peak of the defense will come in the passing game as the New Orleans defense shuts down the Carolina receivers. This could be a surprisingly low-scoring affair but New Orleans should still emerge as winners.
Prediction: Saints win
Verdict: The Saints will land a Wild Card spot after finishing 10-6. It’s impossible to predict how the playoffs will play out but Saints fans should be optimistic with more successful football on the horizon in New Orleans.
