After looking at the Saints 2016 schedule, I decided to make my early predictions on the Saints season.
Week One: Saints VS Raiders
The Oakland Raiders look to be improving just enough to where they could be a team that the Saints could lose to in week one. Last year, this team went 7-9 after having a 3-13 year in 2014. You’re gonna have to watch out for the Raiders with Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree being solid targets for Derek Carr who improved a lot last season now that he actually has guys to throw to. But I’ve got to say that this is a win to start the season off on a positive note for the first time in a while.
Week Two: Saints at Giants
The Giants seem to be in a holding pattern the last two seasons, going 6-10 both years, much like the Saints. However, the Giants have done a lot in free agency, gambling on players like Keenan Robinson and Jasper Brinkley and re-signing JPP was a big surprise. Last year’s matchup was a shootout between Brees and Eli Manning, so expect much of the same, and the Saints could come away with another win to start 2-0.
Week Three: Saints vs Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a mixed bag heading into 2016. They signed some solid players in free agency, but lost a couple key players like Roddy White and O’Brien Schofield. But the Falcons still have their star QB and a top flight WR in Julio Jones. The Saints will be under the bright lights of Monday Night Football the day after the 10th anniversary of their return to the Superdome after Katrina. This is a game where the Superdome is going to rocking and will be an emotional one. Any game between the Saints and the Falcons is a coin flip, but I’ll give the Saints the edge because of the 12th man factor and improve to 3-0 on the year.
Week Four: Saints at Chargers
Last year was a tough break for the Chargers. Phillip Rivers is still putting up monster stats, but the win-loss record is not showing it, going 4-12 last year. Having a healthy Antonio Gates and Keenan Allen should make for an interesting matchup. The Saints improve to 4-0 on the year heading into the bye week.
Week Six: Saints vs Panthers
Having that week off is great for the Saints before taking on their toughest challenge yet. The Panthers kept a good chunk of the team from last season in place, most notably Josh Norman. Expect to see Cam Newton do big things and hand the Saints their first loss of the year.
(Editor’s Note: This was posted before Josh Norman left the team and signed a contract with Washington)
Week Seven: Saints at Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are a team that has consistently been held down by the Denver Broncos in recent years, finishing second the last three years. This could be the year where the Chiefs could win the AFC West. They’ve done well in free agency and have a great QB in Alex Smith. Give me the Chiefs handing the Saints their second loss.
Week Eight: Saints vs Seattle
The last few years, the Seahawks have dominated the Saints. But that was on the road and the Seahawks aren’t the same team as a lot of teams have begun to figure out what they like to do. The Seahawks could pull off the win, but I’ll give the Saints this one to improve to 5-2 on the year.
Week Nine: Saints at 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are starting to become a dumpster fire with a lot of uncertainty surrounding the QB position. The 49ers will be relying heavily on the draft this season unless they can pick up someone in a trade to replace Kaeprnick. Saints win this one handily at Levi Stadium to improve to 6-2.
Week 10: Saints vs Broncos
Another curious case with the defending Super Bowl champs. Do the Broncos have faith in Mark Sanchez to lead this team or will they be able to get a QB in the draft? Either way the QB position is huge shoes to fill. Expect the defense to carry a lot of the load this season. Saints win this one to improve to 7-2.
Week 11: Saints at Panthers
The Saints will have a short week and travel to the Panthers for a Thursday night matchup. The short week will affect the Saints moreso than the Panthers, which will give the edge to the Panthers handing the Saints their third loss.
Week 12: Saints vs Rams
The Saints have another interesting matchup against the St. Louis Los Angeles Rams. The recent news of the Rams trading up to get the #1 pick to possibly draft a QB according to sources makes it a quandary to pick because there’s a lot of pieces that aren’t in place. I’ll give the Saints the win here because the Rams are hard to peg on April 14th.
Week 13: Saints vs Lions
The Lions look like a team that’s still rebuilding after losing Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley on defense. With Metatron retiring forces Matthew Stafford to find another guy to throw to. Marvin Jones is an okay replacement and is fairly young. Detroit has always given the Saints a hard time, so the Saints drop one to the Lions and lose their fourth game of the season.
Week 14: Saints at Bucs
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a team that will be one to watch in 2016. The Bucs have a good enough QB in Jameis Winston and have done some work to improve their weak positions. This is a coin flip here. Give me the Bucs in this one.
Week 15: Saints at Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are my too early prediction to win the NFC West. It’s a fairly easy decision because of the vast improvement they’ve had in the last couple of years under Bruce Arians. This might be the last ride for Carson Palmer so expect them to groom the next guy in line this season. The Cards get the win, giving the Saints their third straight loss dropping to 8-6 on the year.
Week 16: Saints vs Bucs
As mentioned earlier this is a coin flip and having them twice in three weeks is a little strange to me. But expect the Saints to come away with the win to improve to 9-6.
Week 17: Saints at Falcons
Another coin flip, but this will be interesting as I think they’ll be fighting for second place in the NFC South and a possible wild card berth. Give me the Saints winning the season finale on New Year’s Day.
-Clint Domingue