The New Orleans Saints made some big moves in the off-season and in the 2024 NFL Draft, addressing their most immediate need right out of the gate. They picked up three offensive tackles between the draft and free agency, including first-round pick Taliese Fuaga. Whether or not this will help Derek Carr and the offense remains to be seen, but the Saints have invested highly in protecting Carr, and they will expect results.
New Orleans also picked up a number of standout defensive players, including Northern Iowa DT Khristian Boyd, who was a great value pick in Round 6. They added three linebackers, drafting Jalen Ford (Texas) in the 5th Round and signing Willie Gay (Chiefs) and Khaleke Hudson (Commanders) in the offseason. These among other defensive additions should make an already good defense even better.
New Orleans Saints Overall Schedule for 2024
Going into the 2024 season, the New Orleans Saints are tied with Atlanta for the easiest strength of schedule at .453. However, they face three of their toughest matchups, including a Monday Night Football game in Kansas City, in the first five weeks. Considering how slow the offense was to get going last year, this is a major concern. If the Saints are to have a chance, they will really need to develop their offense and solidify positions before the season even starts.
The rest of the season eases up a bit, with a month-long stretch at home from weeks 10-13 and home-field advantage for a couple of crucial “grudge match” games against Denver and Las Vegas. They will face two cold-weather games in December, including another Monday Night matchup against Green Bay. But, if things work out as Dennis Allen and the rest of the organization intended, New Orleans has a pretty good shot at winning the NFC South.
Weeks 1-5: A Tough Start For The New Orleans Saints
The Saints get a break in Week 1 with a home opener against Carolina. The Panthers were an abysmal 2-15 last year, so this should be like a Homecoming game in New Orleans. Week 2 takes them to Dallas to face last year’s #1 scoring offense. It’s unlikely that they will have it together enough this early in the season to win this one on the road.
In Week 3, they come home to face another one of their toughest opponents of the season, the Philadelphia Eagles. Philly went 11-6 last year, and again, the New Orleans Saints probably won’t be able to pull this one out so early on. Week 4 starts a two-week road trip in Atlanta, with New Orleans facing division rival and long-time season spoiler, the Falcons. This one is a toss-up, but the optimists would say the Saints win this one.
In Week 5, the New Orleans Saints keep on truckin’ to Kansas City for their first Monday Night Football game of the season. The weather will probably still be mild in early October, but the Saints will definitely face an uphill battle against the defending and potential three-peat Superbowl Champion Chiefs. It’s highly unlikely that the Saints will win this one on the road.
Weeks 6-10: Battle in the NFC South
The New Orleans Saints face three division rivals in the second five games of the season, starting with the Bucs in Week 6. Tampa Bay beat the Saints out of a playoff berth last year and the Who Dat Nation will be looking for payback. With some execution and a little help from the fans, there’s a good chance they could win this one at home.
In week 7, Sean Peyton and the Broncos come to town. This will definitely be a grudge match, but home-field advantage and maybe a little trickery by Dennis Allen against the Saints’ former coach could give them another win here.
The Saints head back out on the road in Week 8, starting in Los Angeles against the Chargers and then heading to Charlotte to face the Panthers again. With any luck, New Orleans should win both of these games. They come back home in Week 10 for yet another division matchup against the Falcons. If everything is working and New Orleans has hit its stride, this one could be a win as well.
Weeks 11-15: Spending Some Time at Home
The New Orleans Saints stay at home for the next three weeks, facing two tough opponents with a bye week between. Week 11 brings the Rams to town for what will probably be a loss for New Orleans. They get a week off in Week 12 and then host the Browns in lucky Week 13. Cleveland went 11-7 before losing a shocker to the Texans in the Wild Card game, and the Saints will really need to have it going to win this one.
Week 14 takes the Saints to MetLife Stadium to play the Giants in early December. There’s no doubt it will be cold. Obviously, the New Orleans Saints are a southern team and an indoor team, so they will need to spend some time practicing in the cold if they hope to win in New York. Week 15 brings them back home for what should be an easy win against the Commanders.
Weeks 16-18: The Final Push
The New Orleans Saints head to Green Bay in Week 16 for another Monday night game on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. It will be bitterly cold just two days before Christmas, and it’s doubtful that New Orleans will be able to manage the Packers on the road.
Week 17 brings the Raiders to town for another grudge match against Derek Carr’s former team, and this one should be a nail-biter. Las Vegas went 8-9 last year, and they will have something to prove to their former quarterback. The New Orleans Saints head to Tampa in Week 18 for their final game against the Bucs, which will probably have huge playoff implications. Hopefully, New Orleans can win this one to clinch the division.
Record Prediction: 10-7
This is undoubtedly optimistic, but if everything comes together with the offensive line and the New Orleans Saints’ offense can get things going, they have a good chance of winning the NFC South and making a run in the playoffs. They’ve bolstered an already solid defense and also added some new talent in the receiver room, along with a couple of new QBs. If all of this doesn’t motivate Derek Carr to step up, he may find himself on the bench instead of in the pocket.
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