Strength of schedule: .419 (31st)Prime-time games: None
The vibes around the Saints have not been the best lately, but — depending on how the quarterbacks shake out — perhaps there should be more optimism around this team.
September will be a challenge, even with two home games out of the chute in Kellen Moore’s debut, right back in the stadium where he won it all with the Eagles in February. The Saints will face four competitive teams right away, including tough road trips to Seattle and Buffalo.
But even with a tough start, none of those first four opponents outwardly look like daunting matchups for whoever wins the Saints’ QB battle. All of those teams added defensive pieces this offseason, and they’ll be jelling just like the New Orleans offense. Even with some teams that can rush the passer on the slate, I am not sure there’s an elite defense on the entire schedule.
The Saints do have four pairs of back-to-back road games, but they get consecutive home weeks (games or bye) prior to three of those pairs. Four road games in the final six weeks is notable, but finishing at Tennessee and Atlanta isn’t the wildest road doubleheader ever. And zero prime-time games? That might serve the team well. After all, coaches crave consistency.
There’s sort of a rhythmic flow to the schedule, with the Week 11 bye falling nicely on the back half. Maybe with a rookie quarterback potentially starting, New Orleans might have wanted it to fall a little earlier. The Saints were also pretty wiped out, injury-wise, by their Week 12 bye last year, but the law of averages suggests they will have better luck this season.
Week 1: Cardinals
Week 2: 49ers
Week 3: at Seahawks
Week 4: at Bills
Week 5: Giants
Week 6: Patriots
Week 7: at Bears
Week 8: Buccaneers
Week 9: at Rams
Week 10: at Panthers
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: Falcons
Week 13: at Dolphins
Week 14: at Buccaneers
Week 15: Panthers
Week 16: Jets
Week 17: at Titans
Week 18: at Falcons (TBD)