The New Orleans Saints enter 2020 as one of the favourites for the Super Bowl but have to get rid of their playoff demons that have essentially haunted them for the past three seasons. After three straight 7-9 campaigns from 2014-2016, the Saints have gone 37-11 and have won the NFC South. However, in each of the postseasons since 2017, they’ve managed to lose in every round in heart-breaking fashion.
First, it was the Minneapolis Miracle against the Vikings in the Divisional Round. Second, it was the infamous no-call in the NFC Championship game against the Rams. Lastly and most recently, the team suffered a bitter defeat at the hands of the Vikings again after a 13-3 campaign. As good as the turnaround and three-year run has been for Sean Payton’s team, the dramatic postseason exits have left many feeling what could have been.
On paper, the Saints have one of the best rosters in the league, and they have an extremely talented and underrated coaching staff on their hands. New Orleans is facing a crucial season, as they may be in the final window to help Drew Brees get another Lombardi Trophy. It’s definitely going to be the last year to make a run with their stellar 2017 draft class.
Offense
The Saints possess one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses. Despite losing Drew Brees for five games last year, the team rallied and rattled off five straight wins with Teddy Bridgewater at the helm. They only gave the ball away a league-low eight times, while finishing behind the Patriots with a +15-turnover differential. Michael Thomas, the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year, had a season to remember after becoming the NFL’s single-season leader in receptions. Despite not looking himself and later learning of a painful injury, he played through, Alvin Kamara still turned in a respectable year. New Orleans got answers offensively from players like Latavius Murray and Taysom Hill while having others like Jared Cook heat up at the right time of the year.
The black and gold only improved offensively during the offseason, landing Emmanuel Sanders through free agency to give them a legitimate number two option opposite of Michael Thomas. The Saints are also leaning on another rookie offensive lineman for the third straight season, drafting Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz at 24th overall in the past NFL draft. The team expects a big leap from wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith, who could benefit from teams potentially focusing on the largest targets in the passing game.
Drew Brees returns for his 20th NFL season, joining just a handful of quarterbacks who have actually played that long. Down the stretch last season, Brees was practically on fire, posting 15 passing touchdowns (16 total) in the final four games of the year with no interceptions. In front of him, helping to keep him upright include some of the game’s best tackles in Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramcyzk. All things considered, there are so many ways the Saints can be you, and No. 9 will find it.
Defence
New Orleans possesses a defence anchored by players that aren’t exactly household names but has increasingly become one of the better units in the league. Cam Jordan, Marshon Lattimore, and Demario Davis are all the key cogs for Dennis Allen’s squad, who is coming off 51 sacks last season, their highest output in the Sean Payton era and the largest total since 2001 (53). They’ve also gone 43 straight games, which encompasses both the regular season and postseason) without allowing a 100-yard rusher. To see them actually ranked as a top fantasy football option for DST leagues is something when you actually think about it.
Health is the biggest factor to consider whether this can become a top five unit. Several big players are coming back from season-ending injuries that can give them a boost. Along the defensive line, Marcus Davenport and Sheldon Rankins return to the fold and could be in line for dominant years. With the linebacker group, Kiko Alonso, Alex Anzalone, and Kaden Elliss are all being counted on to help Demario Davis and rookie Zack Baun. Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, but the Saints have positioned themselves with strong depth to keep up the pace.
The small details of the game are where the Saints’ defence has increased. In 2019, the Saints finished out with the sixth-best third-down defence in the league at 34.8 percent, which was their best finish since coming in fifth in 2011 (33.2 percent). While it seems like a lot, the Saints finished out 11th in the league, surrendering 333.1 yards per game. The significance of that stat is that it was an improvement year over year (14th in 2018 at 349.1 yards per game). They’ll have their hands full with the likes of Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Matt Ryan, and a host of other talented quarterbacks on the schedule in 2020 and will be tested in almost every contest.
Predicted Record: 12-4
The Saints have an interesting schedule. They have five primetime games this season, which includes a special Christmas Day matchup against the Vikings. They’ll be tested right in week one against the new-look Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers while being in the national spotlight three out of their first five games.
Factoring in how COVID-19 has changed football’s landscape this season and the total unknowns of not having fans, the Saints should still be NFC South champions. The worst to expect from them is 10-6 and but getting more than 13 wins could be a real challenge. The NFC South is expected to be a lot tougher, but the Saints should still come out on top to claim their third-straight division title winner.
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