For the first time in five seasons, I actually have high expectations for the New Orleans Saints this season. After years of poor spending, dead money and underperforming, they actually seem like they have their shit together finally.
Last season was quite the surprise considering I picked them to finish dead last in the NFC South. Before the homers scream about they knew it would turn around, probably not. You probably picked them to make the playoffs the last five years while I was the guy screaming about how they weren’t that good.
My only concern heading into this season is if they believe their own hype. I am banking on them not doing that and still grinding. Despite being wrong about their record, I did say if the Saints got back to running the football behind an offensive line that has been exceptional as a unit in run blocking, they could win 10-12 games. That is exactly what they did. Read that right here…how the saints can win now and why they won’t.
After a bevy of seasons having a 60/40 run/pass ratio, the Saints cut that down to 55/45. This was the first time since 2009 (Super Bowl) that Brees threw under 600 passes on the season. It was his lowest total in yards, touchdowns and interceptions as a Saints. In fact, it was the first time Brees didn’t throw double digit interceptions in a season since coming to New Orleans. I will agree that the talent is much better than it has been in years. Part of that comes from money management. But when you have a top tier QB, you shouldn’t be underperforming the way the Saints have.
I am curious to see how not having Mark Ingram (4 game suspension) impacts them offensively. Luckily, they should get out of that at 2-2 in the absolute worst case scenario. Alvin Kamara seems to be all the hype this offseason through some unique training programs and electrifying runs last season. The second year is always interesting because a lot can happen once teams have a full season of film to look at.
This team is filled with second year stars such as Kamara, Marcus Williams, Marshon Lattimore and Ryan Ramczyk. All of them played major roles in the Saints success in 2017.
All that being said, I feel great about the black and gold heading into this season despite having an absolute juggernaut of a schedule (barring major injuries of course).
Week 1 vs Tampa Bay
Result – Win 31-10 (1-0)
Week 2 vs Cleveland
Result – Win 27-17 (2-0)
Week 3 @ Atlanta
Result – Loss 24-21 (2-1)
Week 4 @ New York
Result – Win 23-21 (3-1)
Week 5 vs Washington (Monday Night Football)
Result – Win 42-13 (4-1)
Week 6 Bye Week
Week 7 @ Baltimore
Result – Win 30-16 (5-1)
Week 8 @ Minnesota (Sunday Night Football)
Result – Win 27-23 (6-1)
Week 9 vs Los Angeles Rams
Result – Loss 28-24 (6-2)
Week 10 @ Cincinnati
Result – Win 34-9 (7-2)
Week 11 vs Philadelphia
Result – Win 38-24 (8-2)
Week 12 vs Atlanta (Thanksgiving)
Result- Win 41-27 (9-2)
Week 13 @ Dallas (Thursday Night Football)
Result – Loss 23-20 (9-3)
Week 14 @ Tampa Bay
Result – Win 36-16 (10-3)
Week 15 @ Carolina (Monday Night Football)
Result – Loss 25-24 (10-4)
Week 16 vs Pittsburgh
Result – Win 38-31 (11-4)
Week 17 vs Carolina
Result – Win 21-17 (12-4)
Final Record – 12-4
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