NEW ORLEANS, La. — (WLOX) — The New Orleans Saints kick off the season Sunday, September 13, on the road against the Detroit Lions.
WLOX Sports reporter Matt DeGregorio said expectations differ this year from last year as the team enters the season with second-year quarterback Tyler Shough.
“This roster is dialed in. They’re good enough, especially on the defense,” DeGregorio said.
New and returning players
DeGregorio said the Saints’ defense was a top-10 unit in the NFL last season and the team added pieces to it this offseason. Even though the team lost veteran Demario Davis, DeGregorio said the rest of the group is largely intact.
“Outside of that loss, it’s really the same group coming back, which should excite a lot of Saints fans,” DeGregorio said.
He said most of the questions come up when talking about the team’s offense. Alvin Kamara has been present but limited by injuries.
“He’s going to miss the first couple of games of the season, most likely,” DeGregorio said.
This season, the Saints brought in running back Travis Etienne, who DeGregorio believes will take a bulk of the carries. He also said Kamara is expected to serve as a short-yardage, goal-line option once healthy.
The Saints drafted wide receiver Jordyn Tyson in the first round with the No. 8 overall pick.
DeGregorio said he disagreed with the pick when it was made and said Tyson was limited throughout rookie minicamp, OTAs, and the start of training camp.
Tyson then suffered a hamstring injury during the team’s joint practice against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 13.
“He’s going to miss at least a month, maybe two in the season. And that is not a recipe for success when talking about a rookie coming into the fold,” DeGregorio said.
Schedule and division
The schedule for the black and gold starts with two road games against the Lions and the Ravens, but DeGregorio said the rest of the slate is manageable, and he believes the NFC South is not a strong division.
“They are better, I think, on paper than all three other teams in the division,” DeGregorio said. “Right now, looking at the New Orleans Saints, there’s no reason that this team should not be a division winner.”
Predictions
WLOX News anchor Hugh Keeton predicted the Saints will finish 9-8, win the NFC South and lose in the first round of the playoffs.
WLOX News anchor Bill Snyder predicted the Saints will finish 8-9 and win the NFC South.
DeGregorio predicted that the Saints will finish 11-6, make the playoffs, and win the division.
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