An optimist’s outlook on the upcoming NFL year in New Orleans.
Ahead of the upcoming football season, I, along with the rest of the Canal Street Chronicles staff, put out our record predictions for the New Orleans Saints. In an unsurprising fact, I was the only member to believe that New Orleans could reach double-digit victories in 2025. While several factors would have to swing in the Saints’ favor to enable this type of success, I’m not so sure it’s as far-fetched as some may think.
After breaking down the regular season schedule, here is how I arrived at my prediction of 10-7.
Week 1- Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals: Loss
New Orleans opens the season at home in the Caesars Superdome against an NFC West team that finished 8-9, three games better than the Saints. Arizona QB Kyler Murray and WR Marvin Harrison Jr. are gearing up for their second season together. I think the Cards are due for a bounce-back year, and I’m not sure how much trust I have in Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler leading the Saints to a win off the bat.
Current Record: 0-1
Week 2- Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers: Loss
Following the ugly loss in week one, another NFC team visits the dome. The 49ers are coming off a really poor year in which they finished just 6-11 and in last place in their division. The issue is not the talent on the roster, but rather the availability of the players. San Fran is forecasted by most to be the team with the best chances of flipping the script and going from worst to first, so I think the Saints fall at home in back-to-back weeks.
Current Record: 0-2
Week 3- Saints at Seattle Seahawks: Loss
In week three, New Orleans will head on the road for their first away game of the season. They head up to Washington state for a matchup with Seattle and Sam Darnold. The Saints will meet some friendly faces in this one after former offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and offensive line coach John Benton left in the offseason. The Seahawks missed the playoffs in 2024 after losing a tiebreaker with the Los Angeles Rams for the division title, but I expect them to be in contention again. It’s hard to win in Lumen Field with the 12s.
Current Record: 0-3
Week 4- Saints at Buffalo Bills: Loss
I don’t think there needs to be too much explanation here. You began the season with three straight losses, and now you roll into the 2024 league MVP, Josh Allen, while playing in front of Bills Mafia? Next…
Current Record: 0-4
Week 5- Saints vs. New York Giants: Win
Kellen Moore is a smart man. I also believe Kellen Moore is a coach who cares about his job, and this is one that he and the Saints cannot afford to lose. After an 0-4 start, New Orleans returns home to face the Giants. New York was one of the worst teams in the league last year at 3-14, but signing Russell Wilson and drafting immediate impact rookies should account for moderate progression. I think the Saints win a close one here.
Current Record: 1-4
Week 6- Saints vs. New England Patriots: Win
New Orleans hosts the Patriots in the latter of their second back-to-back homestand. New England is entering year one under coach Mike Vrabel and still has a young Drake Maye at QB. The last-place AFC East squad added a couple of big names in Stefon Diggs and Will Campbell through Free Agency and the draft, respectively, but I think the Saints ride a little momentum and pick up their second win of the season.
Current Record: 2-4
Week 7- Saints at Chicago Bears: Win
On the road again… this time to the Windy City. The Saints will take a trip up north for a date with Caleb Williams and the Bears’ new HC Ben Johnson. Johnson joined Chicago from Detroit this year and is hoping to be a sort of revitalization with his offensive-mindedness. After the Bears finished 5-12 a year ago, this one could go either way in October before the brutal cold hits. I’ll give New Orleans the edge.
Current Record: 3-4
Week 8- Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Loss
The Saints will not face their first divisional opponent of 2025 until late October. Tampa Bay swept New Orleans last year and is the current betting favorite to win the NFC South. Behind a strong veteran presence and talent across the roster, I think the Bucs will stop the winning streak at three and steal one on the road.
Current Record 3-5
Week 9- Saints at Los Angeles Rams: Loss
Los Angeles made it to the Divisional Round of the postseason in 2024. Their season was ended by the eventual Super Bowl champions after a close game. Matthew Stafford and the Rams should have continued success and should pick up a home victory versus New Orleans this year.
Current Record: 3-6
Week 10- Saints at Carolina Panthers: Win
Carolina comes into 2025 with the third-worst odds to win the NFC, ahead of only the Giants and Saints. While the Panthers may be projected to finish better than New Orleans, I just don’t know if there will be enough of a jump from Bryce Young in year three behind a shaky offensive line at best to defeat the formidable front seven of the Saints.
Current Record: 4-6
Week 11- BYE
Week 12- Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons: Win
Coming out of the bye week, the Saints already sit with six losses to their name. On the other side of the break, they get to host the Falcons in the first matchup of the rivalry in 2025. There is so much history between these two teams, and I expect the much-needed break paired with home-field advantage to play to New Orleans’ favor.
Current Record: 5-6
Week 13- Saints at Miami Dolphins: Loss
Miami was another mid-tier team in 2024, finishing just below a .500 record. However, the players on the roster are undeniably talented enough to make a turnaround. I think late in the season, the Dolphins could be competing for a playoff spot, if not the AFC South division title. They take care of business at home against New Orleans.
Current Record: 5-7
Week 14- Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Win
After falling in the earlier contest with the Bucs, I think the Saints take advantage of needing wins to stay in contention for a Wild Card spot and power through the road trip to Florida. This will be the game in which leaders and captains have to step up and carry the team to victory. Tampa is tough, but you’ve won gritty games before.
Current Record: 6-7
Week 15- Saints vs. Carolina Panthers: Win
Following the series split with Tampa Bay, New Orleans hosts the Panthers in their second meeting of the season. The Saints find a way to get to even on the year for the first time in this game against Carolina.
Current Record: 7-7
Week 16- Saints vs. New York Jets: Win
New Orleans will host another familiar face when former defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn makes his way back to the Big Easy as the new head coach for the Jets. New York has talent on the roster, but just need the right people around to make all of the gears turn. It will be an interesting matchup regardless of the teams’ records here. I’ll tab the Saints as winners in an ugly one.
Current Record: 8-7
Week 17- Saints at Tennessee Titans: Win
The Saints will end their regular season on the road over the final two weeks. They will head to Nashville for a meeting with the Titans and first overall draft pick Cam Ward out of Miami. Tennessee had the first pick for a reason… they finished 2024 with just three wins. I think New Orleans keeps it rolling and moves on up.
Current Record: 9-7
Week 18- Saints at Atlanta Falcons: Win
In what is probably my most controversial prediction, I think the Saints will sweep the Falcons this year. There could be a scenario where the final game in Atlanta has playoff implications. If New Orleans loses this one, they fall to 9-8. That’s a fair record prediction, but why not push the envelope a little bit? Saints beat the “dirty birds” to win their tenth.
Final Record: 10-7
What are your thoughts on my predictions for the Saints’ 2025 record? Which games would you change? Let us know in the comments below!