Which Saints games are deserving of a primetime slot?
The New Orleans Saints used to be must-see TV with Drew Brees under center and Sean Payton calling plays, but in the past few years, the number of primetime games they’ve played in have dwindled.
In 2024, the Saints played three primetime games, which has been their sweet spot for the past few seasons. Since 2022, they have played three primetime games each year but haven’t played on Sunday night since 2021. All nine of those primetime games in the last three years have come on Thursday and Monday night.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Saints are predicted by many to be one of the worst teams in the league, which likely means we won’t see them play too many primetime games this year, but we’re still going to try and predict which games could earn one of the three primetime slots.
vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Saints don’t have the best home schedule this season. They don’t play too many tough teams with the hardest being the San Francisco 49ers or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I don’t foresee a Saints vs 49ers primetime game, so if there’s going to be any home game that’s played on Thursday, Sunday or Monday night, I think it’ll be against the Bucs, who are the favorites to win the NFC South.
at Atlanta Falcons
This just feels like a Thursday night matchup, doesn’t it? The Saints and Atlanta Falcons, two teams with promising young quarterbacks (unless Derek Carr starts) who absolutely hate each other squaring off in one of the nicest stadiums in the league. It’s been a while since these two have faced off in prime time, and with the lack of big matchups on their schedule, it feels like this could be another primetime option for the Saints.
at Los Angeles Rams
The Saints and Los Angeles Rams just met in primetime two years ago at SoFi, but I think it could happen again in 2025. The NFL seems to love this matchup ever since the infamous no call in the NFC Championship, and while the Saints have been on the losing end of three of their last four matchups, the last three contests have been one score games. Plus, they love putting Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford under the lights in LA, so it feels like a safe bet.
at Buffalo Bills
It sucks that the Saints don’t have more big matchups at home, but it just feels like most of their primetime options are on the road this season. The Buffalo Bills will be arguably their toughest test of the season, so if the league is trying to find a time to put the Saints on Sunday or Monday night, they might as well do it against one of the most popular teams in the league right now.