They say you can learn a lot about someone from the quality of their enemies — and the New Orleans Saints have spent decades matching up with some of the greatest wide receivers the NFL has ever seen. Whether it was competing against Jerry Rice and Isaac Bruce in the old NFC West or facing off with Steve Smith Sr. in the NFC South, they’ve had their hands full.
Funnily enough, some of the receivers you’d expect to rank top-10 in touchdown catches against the Saints are nowhere to be seen. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers great Mike Evans only scored six touchdowns on New Orleans in 22 career games (including the playoffs). His Atlanta Falcons counterpart Julio Jones finished with just three touchdowns in 19 games, and he didn’t score on the Saints ever again once they drafted Marshon Lattimore.
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But that’s not to say the Saints had it easy. Here’s a look at the top-10:
Tied-10. Muhsin Muhammad (8)
Oct 19, 2008; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad (87) is tackled by New Orleans Saints cornerback Jason David (42) and safety Kevin Kaesviharn (43). The Panthers defeated the Saints 30-7 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Tied-10. Freddie Solomon (8)
Oct 22, 1978; San Francisco, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; San Franciso 49ers receiver Freddie Solomon (88) prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Tied-10. Michael Haynes (8)
Sep 12, 1993; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons receiver Michael Haynes (81) in action against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY NETWORK
Tied-5. Henry Ellard (9)
Sep 12, 1993; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons receiver Michael Haynes (81) in action against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY NETWORK
Tied-5. Joey Galloway (9)
Dec. 2, 2007; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver (84) Joey Galloway tries to avoid the tackle of New Orleans Saints corner back (21) Jason Craft during the first half at the Louisiana Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2007 Matt Stamey
Sep 7, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) catches a touchdown pass in front of New Orleans Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis (28) during the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Tied-5. Terance Mathis (9)
10 Dec 1995: Wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons carries his reception downfield and is caught by centerback Tyrone Hughes #33 of the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Saints 19-14.
Dec 7, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (14) runs for a gain past New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
4. Steve Smith Sr. (11)
New Orleans Saints’ cornerback Fred Thomas (L) grabs Carolina Panthers’ wide receiver Steve Smith during first half action in their NFL football game in Charlotte, October 1, 2006. REUTERS/Chris Keane (UNITED STATES)
3. Terrell Owens (13)
NEW ORLEANS – OCTOBER 20: Wide receiver Terrell Owens #81 of the San Francisco 49ers completes a touchdown catch while defended by Fakhir Brown #35 of the New Orleans Saints during the NFL game at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 20, 2002. The Saints defeated the Niners 35-27. (Photo by Ronald Martinez /Getty Images)
Tied-1. Isaac Bruce (14)
Nov. 11, 2007; New Orleans, LA, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver (80) Isaac Bruce catches a touchdown in front of New Orleans Saints corner back (43) Jason David during the second half at the Louisiana Superdome. The Rams defeated the Saints 37-29. Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports
Tied-1. Jerry Rice (14)
10 Dec 2000: Alex Molden #25 of the New Orleans Saints tries to tackle Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers during the game at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. The Saints defeated the 49ers 31-27.Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport
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2026 Saints Schedule: Previewing Week 2 road matchup vs Ravens
Week 2 at Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 20, Noon CT
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2026 Saints Schedule: Previewing Week 2 road matchup vs Ravens
Week 2 at Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 20, Noon CT
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New Orleans Saints 2026 schedule
Week 3 vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 27, 3:25 p.m. CT
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New Orleans Saints 2026 schedule
Week 4 vs. Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 5, 7:15 p.m. CT
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New Orleans Saints 2026 schedule
Week 5 vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 11, Noon CT
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Pivot points: Six games that could decide Saints’ 2026 season
Week 6 at New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 18, Noon CT
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New Orleans Saints 2026 schedule
Week 7 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (in Paris, France), 8:30 a.m. CT
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New Orleans Saints 2026 schedule
Week 8 on bye
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New Orleans Saints 2026 schedule
Week 9 vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 8, Noon CT
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New Orleans Saints 2026 schedule
Week 10 vs. Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 8, Noon CT
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Pivot points: Six games that could decide Saints’ 2026 season
Week 11 at Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 22, Noon CT
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New Orleans Saints 2026 schedule
Week 12 at Cincinnati Bengals, Nov. 29, Noon CT
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New Orleans Saints 2026 schedule
Week 13 vs. Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 6, Noon CT
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New Orleans Saints 2026 schedule
Week 14 at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 13, Noon CT
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New Orleans Saints 2026 schedule
Week 15 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 20, Noon CT
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New Orleans Saints 2026 schedule
Week 16 vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 27, Noon CT
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New Orleans Saints 2026 schedule
Week 17 at Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Jan. 3, Noon CT
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New Orleans Saints 2026 schedule
Week 18 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, TBD
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This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: All-Time Saints Rivals: Jerry Rice, Isaac Bruce tie for most TD catches