2025 NFL Preview: New Orleans Saints Season Outlook, Schedule & Prediction
2025 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS SEASON PREVIEW
Remember when the New Orleans Saints scored 91 points in the first two games last season? It feels like a decade ago. The Saints went onto lose seven consecutive games following that streak. The team went back-and-forth between Derek Carr and Spencer Rattler and this was not a recipe for success. A four-game losing streak to end the season solidified a five-win season for the Saints.
OFFENSE
The Saints were hopeful that Derek Carr would be the next great quarterback. Instead, he dealt with injuries and failed to raise the level of the team. This offseason, Carr announced his retirement and left the Saints with no viable option.
The Saints entered the 2025 NFL Draft in need of a quarterback and landed on Tyler Shough in the second round. This came after New Orleans selected Kelvin Banks in the first round to take over at left tackle. Tallies Fuaga will be on the opposite side as the Saints have a young duo to rely on.
Shough will battle with Spencer Rattler for the starting job. It is likely that the Saints roll with the experienced rookie in Week 1. Shough spent six years in college and got the chance to play a lot of football. Behind a strong offensive line, Shough could be protected. This includes Erik McCoy, who emerged as a legitimate center in 2024.
The skill position players are an intriguing bunch. Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara have been up and down in recent years with injury concerns. Olave has looked like a No. 1 receiver but has a history of concussions. Juwan Johnson is likely to be more involved at the tight end position while Rashid Shaheed provides speed down the field.
With first-year head coach Kellen Moore, it is clear that this is a developmental year for the Saints.
DEFENSE
The Saints defense has been a staple over the last decade but that was not the case last season.
New Orleans was 30th in yards allowed last season with a mediocre pass rush. And the Saints did not work to improve the line.
Cam Jordan had just 4.5 sacks last season as he continues to get older each year. Bryan Bresee led the team with 7.5 sacks. Carl Granderson and Chase Young finished with 5.5 sacks each. This will be the underwhelming group once again.
The Saints traded away Marshon Lattimore last season and saw Paulson Adebo leave in free agency. New Orleans added Isaac Yiadom to pair with Kool-Aid McKinstry, who showed flashes as a rookie. Safety Jonas Sanker is another young option that has showed signs of being productive in the secondary.
The linebackers return the duo of Pete Werner and Demario Davis. This is the strength of a defense that looks like it will struggle once again.
SCHEDULE
Week 1: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 2: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 4: at Buffalo Bills
Week 5: vs. New York Giants
Week 6: vs. New England Patriots
Week 7: at Chicago Bears
Week 8: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 9: at Los Angeles Rams
Week 10: at Carolina Panthers
Week 11: BYE WEEK
Week 12: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 13: at Miami Dolphins
Week 14: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 15: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 16: vs. New York Jets
Week 17: at Tennessee Titans
Week 18: at Atlanta Falcons
Record Prediction: 3-14