The Saints schedule is officially out, meaning New Orleans fans can start focusing on the best games of the upcoming season. New Orleans is entering a make-or-break season, as years of going all-in are starting to come to a boiling point. If the Saints can’t make the playoffs in 2024, then head coach Dennis Allen and quarterback Derek Carr will probably be out of their respective jobs. While the NFL’s natural volatility ensures every game will matter, the Saints must win these three to reach the postseason for the first time in the post-Brees Era.
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The 3 Best Games on the Saints Schedule
3. Week 3, vs Eagles
The Saints get a “measuring stick” game early in their schedule. The Philadelphia Eagles crashed and burned down the stretch last year, but they remain one of the most talented offenses in football. Jalen Hurts is a reliable starter and you’d have a difficult time finding a better offensive line or wide receiver duo. With Kellen Moore replacing the overmatched Brian Johnson, this offense should once again be one of the best in the league. This unit combined with a defense that lacks a true weak point means that the Eagles should be one of the top contenders in the league.
The Saints will have a tough time winning this game, but the effort they give so early in the schedule will say a lot about their team. Can Derek Carr improve during his second year with the Saints? Can the makeshift offensive line hold up to a ferocious front four? Will this defense play up to its potential? Only time will tell for sure, but if New Orleans pulls off a win here, you have to feel good about their odds throughout the season.
2. Week 10, vs Falcons
The Falcons narrowly missed the playoffs last year despite having Taylor Heinicke under center and Arthur Smith running the show. With Kirk Cousins and Raheem Morris upgrading both spots, the Falcons should be able to compete for the NFC South crown. While there are some holes on the roster, Cousins should lead a solid offense with reliable weapons in Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson. This is the second time the Saints face the Falcons on the schedule, and they’ll need to win at least one of these matchups if they want to take home the division crown. However, unlike the Eagles, the Saints and Falcons are in the same tier, so they’ve got a decent shot of taking home the win.
1. Week 18, at Buccaneers
Don’t be surprised if the final game on the Saints schedule determines the fate of Dennis Allen and Derek Carr. Last year, both of these teams finished with 9-8 records, but Tampa Bay earned a spot in the playoffs thanks to tiebreakers. The Buccaneers have decided to run it back with Baker Mayfield, so they should remain a playoff-caliber team. New Orleans, meanwhile, has done the same with Carr and Allen. Neither one of these teams is good enough to fight for the top seed in the NFC, but both should be in the thick of the playoff race. If the Saints win, they’ll probably play football in the middle of January. If they lose, then it will be another long offseason.
Main Photo: Kim Klement Neitzel – USA Today Sports
