The Saints may have stumbled out of the gate, but writing them off in the NFC South this early feels premature.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon handed the division edge to Carolina while taking a clear swipe at New Orleans’ chances. In his piece on division winners, he wrote, “The Falcons are a legitimate challenger here-unlike the Saints, who look a year away-but Carolina's 34-3 blowout win in Atlanta in Week 2 tips the balance in the Panthers' favor.”
That’s the line of the moment: the Panthers are the pick, the Falcons are in the mix, and the Saints are being treated like they’re not really a threat. But New Orleans, even at 2-4, still has enough firepower and talent to make this a lot more interesting than a simple one-team race.
The Saints should not be the favorite to win the South. Carolina has earned that spot so far. Still, Kellen Moore’s team has shown enough upside to stay in the conversation, especially with an offense that can create problems for anybody.
The start has been messy. New Orleans has dealt with slow starts and fourth-quarter collapses, and that’s been part of the frustration. It’s also familiar territory: last season brought the same kind of sluggish beginning before the team found a little traction late.
What keeps the Saints alive is the ceiling of the offense. Chris Olave has been the headline act, sitting second in the NFL with 580 receiving yards. Tyler Shough is still imperfect, but he’s also taken steps forward and looks like the franchise quarterback.
The injuries haven’t made things any easier. New Orleans has been hit hard on that side of the ball, losing first-round pick wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, left tackle Kelvin Banks, and running back Travis Etienne Jr. Those are names the Saints are going to need as the season goes on.
Defensively, the picture is mixed, but there are signs of something better taking shape. Chase Young has been a superstar, Carl Granderson has produced, and Jonas Sanker has stood out in his new role. If the secondary tightens up, this group could look a lot different.
So yes, the Saints have been inconsistent. But they’re still in this. The roster has enough talent to make the NFC South a live race, and New Orleans has a real chance to sneak into the division picture if things start clicking.
In Other News...
Saints Face A Fascinating Paris Test Against A Familiar Steelers Blueprint
The Saints trip to Paris brings an unusual backdrop for a matchup that already carries plenty of intrigue, with Kellen Moore now tasked with steering New Orleans offense against a Steelers staff led by Mike McCarthy. The coaching connection matters here because Moore once worked under McCarthy in Dallas, giving this one a layer of familiarity even as the two sides are likely to lean on very different ideas about how to attack the same field.
For New Orleans, the challenge is less about the setting than the chess match it creates. The Saints will have to sort through how to get their offense moving against a Pittsburgh blueprint that has long asked opponents to stay patient and precise, and this is the kind of game where the details can decide whether drives stay alive or stall early. It should be a revealing test of how quickly Moore can shape the Saints plan when the margin for error is likely to be slim. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Wasted A Chance And Two Offensive Concerns Stand Out
The Saints finally snapped their four-game losing streak with a win over the Giants, but the follow-up against the Steelers brought back too many of the same offensive worries. New Orleans had trouble getting anything going on the ground, and the attack never quite found a rhythm even with Barion Brown flashing some promise as a receiver, a reminder that there is at least some upside to be found in the passing game if the staff can find a way to tap into it more often.
Still, the bigger frustration was how many chances slipped away. A missed field goal and a red zone interception helped turn a winnable game into one that got away, and the Saints could not overcome those empty trips. Even with Chase Young and Carl Granderson giving the defense a legitimate pass-rushing pair, the offenses inability to finish drives keeps leaving New Orleans with more questions than answers. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Fans Now Have A New Concern About The Paris Game
The Saints trip to Paris was always going to be one of the more unusual stops on their schedule, but the backdrop has gotten more complicated as the game with the Steelers approaches. Recent protests in the city have prompted a heavier security posture, and French authorities have moved to keep the situation under control while the NFL works with officials in both countries to make sure the game can go on as planned.
For New Orleans fans, that means the focus has shifted from the novelty of an international showcase to the logistics around it. Commissioner Roger Goodell has already been in discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron about the matchup and the leagues broader future in Paris, underscoring how much is riding on this one game beyond what happens on the field. [Read more 🡒]