The NFL released the 2025 schedule earlier this week and New Orleans Saints fans aren\u2019t very happy. \u00a0Although it\u2019s kind of hard to argue against the new schedule. \u00a0For the first time in 25 years the Saints don\u2019t have one game in primetime. \u00a0Not one. \u00a0But the Cowboys have 8.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As if Saints fans need any more reminders that long gone are the glory days of Drew Brees, Sean Payton and the \u2018high-flying\u2019 Saints offense. The days when Duece McCallister would bust off a 20-30 yard run, when Drew would connect with Marques Colston for a 70 yard touchdown.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No Playoffs for 4 Years\u00a0<\/p>\n
The sad reality is the Saints haven\u2019t made the playoffs in 4 years. \u00a0Their last little glimmer of glory was a dominant win over the Cowboys in AT&T Stadium last year. \u00a0Frankly, after that game the Saints have been on a downhill slide ever since. In the their three primetime appearance they had last year they pretty much stunk up the joint every time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
New Orleans Saints v Green Bay Packers<\/p>\n
Photo by Stacy Revere\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Saints\u2019 quarterback Derek Carr recently announced his retirement due to \u2018health issues.\u2019 \u00a0But speculation is that it has nothing to do with a shoulder injury… but that\u2019s another story.\u00a0<\/p>\n
WWL NFL analyst Mike Detellier isn\u2019t too surprised at the lack of primetime games this year. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt sort of surprised me you didn\u2019t get one. Maybe set up a game, maybe against the Falcons, but it really wasn\u2019t a major surprise,\u201d Detillier said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s All About the Ratings\u00a0<\/p>\n
With their poor performance in primetime last year the NFL doesn\u2019t want to risk losing their audience with poor quality games. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the NFL, this is all about ratings and having people watch games throughout the game. And the Saints haven\u2019t come through for them like they had, certainly when Sean Payton and Drew Brees were, in their prime, doing this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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There Might be Hope Yet Though\u00a0<\/p>\n
But there is a glimmer of hope for Saints fans. \u00a0With a young, vibrant, new head coach, a major retooling of the roster, and a new attitude in New Orleans, the season may not be a total wash. And with the NFL\u2019s flex scheduling, NBC, ESPN or Amazon Prime can flex them into a primetime slot if they surprise the naysayers. Detillier says in order for that to happen, they will need to take advantage of their early season home games, since seven of their last 11 games will be away from the Superdome.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got to start fast. They\u2019ve got to come out of the box quickly, because this season schedule really is difficult toward the end,\u201d Detillier emphasized.\u00a0<\/p>\n