The New Orleans Saints have won three straight NFC South titles, but no team has seen its last three seasons end more heart breakingly.
The Saints’ 2019 campaign ended in a 26-20 overtime wild-card loss to the visiting Minnesota Vikings marking the third year in a row New Orleans’ season ended on the last possession.
New Orleans saw 2018 end with a controversial non-call on blatant pass interference by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2019 NFC Championship Game. The Rams prevailed 26-23 in overtime. The Saints’ 2017 campaign ended when the Vikings executed the “Minneapolis Miracle” as time expired in regulation to oust New Orleans 29-24 in the divisional round.
Before the Saints can reverse their recent postseason misfortunes, they will navigate what John Breech ranked as the league’s 24th-toughest schedule with opponents sporting a combined 2019 record of 125-130-1.
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Below is the Saints’ full 2020 schedule, as well as a deeper look at the roster and key match-ups.
New Orleans Saints Schedule
Preseason Schedule
Week 1 (Aug. 13-17): vs Los Angeles Rams, TBD
Week 2 (Aug. 23): vs Pittsburgh Steelers, 7 p.m., FOX
Week 3 (Aug. 27-30): vs Houston Texans, TBD
Week 4 (Sep. 3-4): vs Miami Dolphins, TBD
Regular Season Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV |
1 | Sept. 13 | vs Buccaneers | 4:25 p.m. | FOX |
2 | Sept. 21 | vs Raiders | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
3 | Sept. 27 | vs Packers | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
4 | Oct. 4 | vs Lions | 1 p.m. | FOX |
5 | Oct. 12 | vs Chargers | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
6 | – | BYE | – | FOX |
7 | Oct. 25 | vs Panthers | 1 p.m. | FOX |
8 | Nov. 1 | vs Bears | 4:25 p.m. | FOX |
9 | Nov. 8 | vs Buccaneers | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
10 | Nov. 15 | vs 49ers | 4:25 p.m. | FOX |
11 | Nov. 22 | vs Falcons | 1 p.m. | FOX |
12 | Nov. 29 | vs Broncos | 4:05 p.m. | FOX |
13 | Dec. 6 | vs Falcons | 1 p.m. | FOX |
14 | Dec. 13 | vs Eagles | 4:25 p.m. | FOX |
15 | Dec. 20 | vs Chiefs | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
16 | Dec. 25 | vs Vikings | 4:30 p.m. | FOX |
17 | Jan. 3 | vs Panthers | 1 p.m. | FOX |
Saints strength of schedule
Based on opponents’ win percentage from last season, the Saints’ 2020 schedule is relatively easy. New Orleans’ 2020 opponents went 125-130-1 with a .490 collective win percentage last season, which places the Saints at No. 24 in strength of schedule rankings.
Even though New Orleans won its division last year and draws a first-place schedule for 2020, it has the easiest schedule of all four NFC South teams.
Again, though, these strength of schedule rankings don’t account for off-season changes made league-wide in free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft. Some of the Saints’ opponents — like the Buccaneers, Chargers, Broncos and Eagles, for example have strong chances to improve their records in 2020.
Key Match-ups
Everybody has been looking forward to watching Brees square off with Tom Brady twice in 2020 since Brady departed New England for a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March. The two teams will meet in Weeks 1 and 9.
The Bucs last beat New Orleans in Week 1 of 2018.
Brady and Brees last played in 2017. The Patriots won 36-20.
Outside of the NFC South, Brees has marquee quarterback matchups with two-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and Super Bowl LIV MVP Patrick Mahomes.
The Saints also have a rematch with the Vikings, who are responsible for ending their 2017 and ’19 seasons.
Record prediction : 10-6