The New Orleans Saints have had Super Bowl contending teams each of the past three seasons — and each season has ended in ways few of their fans expected. Three seasons ago, they led the Minnesota Vikings on the road in the NFC divisional playoff, only for Stefon Diggs to catch a moon ball from Case Keenum and then turn to find no Saints defenders between him and the end zone, so he scampered in for a game-ending score to send New Orleans home. Two seasons ago, they went to the NFC Championship but lost to the Los Angeles Rams in overtime, thanks in part to a defensive pass interference call that was missed so badly that the review rules were changed for the 2019 season (but that change is likely to go away before 2020). Last year, they won the NFC South and hosted Minnesota in the wild card round, only to blow a home playoff game when they couldn’t move the ball late. Now that Drew Brees has already signed a contract for life after pro football, how hungry will the Saints be? If you plan on including the NFL in your sports betting this season, look at our thoughts on the New Orleans schedule.
New Orleans Saints 2020 Schedule Analysis
Week 1: vs Tampa Bay
Tom Brady vs Drew Brees will be the most watched quarterback duel in the season’s first week. The Saints have a way of dropping games early in the season, and Brady will have an immense chip on his shoulder. Prediction: Loss
Week 2: at Las Vegas
Monday Night Football from Sin City! The Raiders and their fans will be torqued up, but the Saints have the better offense and a stout defense. The Raiders might lead early, but Brees will lead the comeback. Prediction: Win
Week 3: vs Green Bay
The Packers beefed up their running game, which should take some pressure off Aaron Rodgers, but can they keep up with the Saints’ track-meet offense? Prediction: Win
Week 4: at Detroit
The Lions will be better with Matthew Stafford back. They were 3-4-1 with him last year, and 0-8 without him. However, the Lions still don’t have the defense to stop Brees & Co. Prediction: Win
Week 5: vs L.A. Chargers
The Saints make their second Monday Night Football appearance in the first five weeks of the season when the Chargers come to town. Will Justin Herbert be starting for the Chargers by then? Or will Tyrod Taylor still be driving the bus on offense? The Chargers have an impressive defense, but the Saints should still prevail. Prediction: Win
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: vs Carolina
Teddy Bridgewater returns to New Orleans, this time leading the Panthers’ offense. The Panthers had a lot of other holes to fill, but I see Bridgewater keeping this game closer than you might expect. Prediction: Win
Week 8: at Chicago
It won’t be cold enough for the weather to take its toll on the Saints up in the Windy City. Nick Foles should have the Bears off to a good start, though, and the Bears’ defense could frustrate Brees if the Soldier Field breezes make long passes difficult. Prediction: Loss
Week 9: at Tampa Bay
By now, the Buccaneers should have settled back down to earth, and the Saints will be ready to take out some frustrations from that loss in Chicago. Prediction: Win
Week 10: vs San Francisco
The Saints hung 46 points on the 49ers at home last year…and still lost. The Saints have upgraded on both sides of the ball, while San Francisco has regressed somewhat. Prediction: Win
Week 11: vs Atlanta
Atlanta has not filled gaps in their pass rush, but they did add Todd Gurley II to run the ball. Will he still be healthy at this point in the season? Prediction: Win
Week 12: at Denver
A cold-weather game against a second-year quarterback who should be building some momentum right now (in Drew Lock). The Saints don’t do well outdoors in the cold. Prediction: Loss
Week 13: at Atlanta
The Saints bounce back from their loss in Denver by exploiting the same holes in the Atlanta defense that were there two weeks ago. Prediction: Win
Week 14: at Philadelphia
This is another cold-weather road game against an Eagles team that, at least on paper, will have a high-flying offensive attack. Prediction: Loss
Week 15: vs Kansas City
This game could easily go over 85 or 90 points with these two offenses playing indoors. Can Brees win one for the ages and take down the Chiefs at home? Yes, yes he can. Prediction: Win
Week 16: vs Minnesota
This Christmas Day affair should see the Saints get some revenge for those two playoff heartbreaks the Vikings have given them. Prediction: Win
Week 17: at Carolina
By now, the Saints should have the NFC South locked up but may well need that twelfth win to get a first-round bye. So it will be all hands on deck as the Saints roll through the rebuilding Panthers. Prediction: Win
Season Record Prediction: 12-4
