Saints Simply Out of Strikes and Must Deliver Following Bye Week
The Saints are obviously enjoying time away this week on their bye, hoping that getting their mind off football will help them refocus to be able to put together a strong product to close out their final stretch of the season.
We're going to go with the cliché of saying this is going to be the most important seven games for the franchise. At 5-5, this isn't what anyone really predicted for New Orleans. However, their record says what they are. How you define being .500 is probably fair game, but essentially Dennis Allen's squad is going to have to be impeccable down the stretch to achieve their goals.
Here's a look at and small preview of the final seven games left in the 2023 season for the black and gold, also looking at the current NFC Playoff Picture entering Week 11.
Current NFC Playoff Picture
- Eagles (8-1)
- Lions (7-2)
- 49ers (6-3)
- Saints (5-5)
- Seahawks (6-3)
- Cowboys (6-3)
- Vikings (6-4)
If the playoffs started today, New Orleans would host Seattle for the Wild Card round. The Bucs (4-5) and Falcons (4-6) are the main threats to the division, and if the Saints can't win it, then it'll be a lot harder to get in as a Wild Card.
Previewing the Final Seven Games For the Saints
In short, the Saints have three road games and four home games left, which includes three straight between Week 13-15. New Orleans is going to have to deal with some injuries to big players in Michael Thomas and Marshon Lattimore, so that will be something to monitor. Essentially, the safest and easiest path for the team is to win a minimum of five of the last seven to finish 10-7, focusing mainly on the four division games left.
Week 12 - at Falcons
The 2022 regular season opener feels so long ago when Jameis Winston helped power a come-from-behind victory in Atlanta. He may get his chance to take the spotlight here, depending on where Derek Carr is at with his injuries. The Falcons are a little bit of a mess right now, particularly at the quarterback spot. It's not like we didn't see this coming. The key here just from the start is making sure they can control the ground game. It's really a big one because the Falcons could seize control of the NFC South with a win.
Week 13 - vs. Lions
This certainly feels like a loss brewing unless the Saints dig in hard to be a consistent team that gets the Superdome behind them. They're going to have to play a complete game here, and Detroit is playing exceptional right now under Dan Campbell. Their offense is getting the job done, and that could be their biggest friend going into that matchup.
Week 14 - vs. Panthers
Things obviously haven't went well for Frank Reich in his first year as head coach. Their offense has left a lot to the imagination, and the blame can't be placed solely on Bryce Young. You'd like to think this game and the next are relatively easy, but somehow the Saints make those games hard. They should win this one and pick up another divisional tally, but they have to show up and play the game.
Week 15 - vs. Giants
The Giants are in a bit of a free fall right now, with their next two games possibly giving them a glimmer of moving in the right direction with the Commanders and Patriots on the docket before their bye week. They then have the Packers at home before traveling down south to play New Orleans. Again, this isn't a good offense, with the main focal point being Saquon Barkley. If Tommy DeVito is their quarterback and were somehow able to beat you at home, then just blow it up.
Week 16 - at Rams (TNF)
Assuming this game doesn't get flexed for any reason, the short week sees New Orleans traveling to the West Coast to presumably play Matthew Stafford and the Rams. Stafford is set to return in Week 11 for Los Angeles, and their young talent at wide receiver is certainly an asset for their offensive attack. Playing just a few days after a Sunday game produces all sorts of weirdness, but again, you have to like New Orleans.
Week 17 - at Bucs
Tampa predictably came back down to earth after starting 3-1, but also beat up on New Orleans in the Superdome before hitting a four game losing streak. This game sees the Saints having another mini-bye, so hopefully that helps them out in this one. It's still hard to imagine this team losing last year's game at Raymond James the way they did. Hopefully they remember past wounds and use that to their advantage and get another divisional win.
Week 18 - vs. Falcons
When it's all said and done, this game very well could determine who wins the NFC South. Atlanta's last games are favorable (Saints, Jets, Bucs, Panthers, Colts, Bears, Saints), so they could also turn a corner here. That's why it's important for New Orleans to return from their bye week and beat Atlanta. It's a home game to close out the year, and if New Orleans is in a space where they aren't going to get into the postseason by this point, then everything should be on the table for them.
