Leading up to the preseason, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the New Orleans Saints are the focus.<\/p>\n
The Rams have been the surprising trap opponent for the Saints in the Brees-Payton era as each team holds three wins a piece in the previous six matchups. In the midst of their 13-3 Super Bowl run in 2009, New Orleans outlasted the Rams in a 28-23 road game. In their next two games as the home team, the Rams dominated the Saints thanks to their overwhelming defensive line. Although the Saints beat the Rams last season, they did fall behind 14-7 relatively early. It won’t be a surprise to see Jared Goff<\/a><\/strong> improve in year two, especially if running back Todd Gurley<\/a><\/strong> returns to his 2015 rookie form. Whether the game is played in either New Orleans, St. Louis or now Los Angeles, the outcome will be unpredictable.<\/span><\/p>\n After their bye week, the Saints invite the Detroit Lions to New Orleans. Winning the first four times with Brees under center, New Orleans has lost their last three games against Detroit (two of those games being at home). Though the Lions no longer have Calvin Johnson<\/a><\/strong>, Golden Tate<\/a><\/strong>, Marvin Jones<\/a><\/strong>, Ameer Abdullah<\/a><\/strong> and Eric Ebron<\/a><\/strong> are very capable weapons for Matthew Stafford<\/a><\/strong>. With Haloti Ngata<\/a><\/strong>, Ziggy Ansah<\/a><\/strong> and A\u2019Shawn Robinson<\/strong> along the line of scrimmage, the Saints will also have to engage in trench warfare against the Lions. Though it will be a challenging obstacle, the Superdome should give New Orleans much assistance.<\/span><\/p>\n Though a divisional game should never been overlooked, in theory, the Saints have owned the Bucs since 2010 by going 10-4 in that span. Jameis Winston<\/a><\/strong>, though, has caused issues for New Orleans since he was drafted by Tampa Bay. With DeSean Jackson<\/a><\/strong>, rookie O.J. Howard<\/strong><\/a> to go along with Pro Bowler Mike Evans<\/a>,<\/strong> the Buccaneers have one of the most fascinating rosters in football. On paper, they can easily become one of the league\u2019s most prolific offenses. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, however, is that the Saints have their number in Tampa, going 5-1 in their last six visits to Raymond James Stadium.<\/span><\/p>\n New Orleans has taken care of business against Tampa Bay in the Superdome as well, going 5-2 in their last seven home games against the Buccaneers. Their rambunctious fanbase always uplifts them. Outside of their offensive firepower, Tampa\u2019s main hope will be to get dominant performances from perennial Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy<\/a><\/strong> and young star linebacker Kwon Alexander<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n Unexpectedly, the Washington Redskins have given the Saints fits in the post-Hurricane Katrina era. Including the Sean Payton<\/a><\/strong>-less Saints of 2012 during the Bountygate-riddled campaign, the Saints have only mustered up a 1-4 record against Washington. Their only victory came in their championship season, and that game was decided in overtime. While the Redskins have one of the best offenses in football, they have lost both DeSean Jackson and Alfred Morris<\/a><\/strong> in recent time. Because the NFC East is such deep division with its talent, depth and youth, the Redskins may get beat upon by their rivals, making them a ripe opponent for the Saints in the second half of the season.<\/span><\/p>\n Following a two-game home stand, the Saints travel to New York to face the Buffalo Bills. Only playing each other 10 times ever, the Saints lead the all-time series 6-4, including being the winners of the last four battles. While Buffalo has put together one of the most talented rosters on paper in recent seasons, it hasn\u2019t materialized into winning football. Though the game will be played in a cooler location, the Saints shouldn\u2019t have tremendous issues.<\/span><\/p>\n Ten years ago, at the start of the Drew Brees<\/a><\/strong>-Sean Payton era, the Chicago Bears were the biggest roadblock for the Saints. Playing in Chicago the first three times in that span, the Bears stifled New Orleans, holding them to under 26 points in each outing. With Brian Urlacher<\/a><\/strong>, Lance Briggs<\/a><\/strong>, Tommie Harris<\/a><\/strong> and Charles Tillman<\/a> <\/strong>in their primes, the Saints were just overmatched. With the Saints improving on both sides of the ball and the Bears falling out of their peak, momentum shifted towards New Orleans. The Saints have won each of the last three times versus Chicago since 2011, and with the Bears coming to the dome at the end of October, the Saints should continue that trend.<\/span><\/p>\n Given the lack of quarterback stability in New York, the Jets game appears to be the simplest for the Saints in 2017. After posting decent numbers for Gang Green in 2015, Ryan Fitzpatrick<\/a> <\/strong>took a vast step backward last season. With Fitzpatrick now out of New York, Josh McCown<\/a><\/strong> is currently set to take over as the signal-caller. Many critics believe that either Bryce Petty<\/a><\/strong> or Christian Hackenberg<\/strong>–or both–will serve as the starter at some point, but McCown has the edge because of his experience. Regardless of the passer, the Jets offense has traditionally been abysmal (placing top 10 in total offense only twice since 1998). With Brandon Marshall<\/a> <\/strong>now with the Giants, the Jets may struggle even more.<\/span><\/p>\n Be sure to check out the eight most difficult games of the 2017 New Orleans Saints schedule<\/a>.<\/p>\n Main Photo:10. Week 6 vs. Lions<\/h3>\n
11. Week 17 at Buccaneers<\/h3>\n
12. Week 9 vs. Buccaneers<\/h3>\n
13. Week 11 vs. Redskins<\/h3>\n
14. Week 10 at Bills<\/h3>\n
15. Week 8 vs. Bears<\/h3>\n
16. Week 15 vs. Jets<\/h3>\n
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>