2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

New Orleans Saints

Predicted record: 11-5

http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=...ocation=origin

The New Orleans Saints are bona fide Super Bowl contenders again after they finally ended a three-year playoff drought last season. But if they're going to make a serious run in 2018, they'd better start fast.

After being plagued by slow starts over the past four years (1-3, 0-3, 0-3 and 0-2), the Saints can't afford a repeat with the schedule looking much more favorable in the first five weeks than the final 11.

The Saints open with back-to-back home games for the first time since 2004, and four of their first five opponents had losing records last year. On the flip side, nine of their final 11 opponents had winning records last year.

Here's how I see things playing out:

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET

Tampa Bay's disappointing 2017 season reached its boiling point in New Orleans last year when a fight broke out on the sidelines after quarterback Jameis Winston and receiver Mike Evans got overly frustrated by cornerback Marshon Lattimore's shut-down performance. The Buccaneers failed to live up to lofty expectations, finishing last in the NFC South at 5-11 -- and the Saints can’t afford to let them start off on the right foot this season. Record: 1-0

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 16, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET

Likewise, the long-suffering Browns are bound to start turning things around soon after amassing so many premium draft picks in recent years (including the No. 1 and No. 4 overall picks next week). But the Saints can't let that turnaround begin just yet. Record: 2-0

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET
The Saints can absolutely go into Atlanta and win -- like they’ve done in five of their past eight trips there and should have done again last season. But this rivalry is always close to a pick 'em. So if the Saints aren't going to start 5-0 heading into their bye week, this is the game that's mostly likely to trip them up. Record: 2-1

Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 30, at New York Giants, 4:25 p.m. ET

I don’t expect this to be an easy road trip, either, despite the Giants' stunning 3-13 flop last season. Remember, New York is just one year removed from a playoff season -- and native New Orleanians Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. are bound to bounce back. (Get your popcorn ready for that Beckham-Lattimore matchup, by the way.) Record: 3-1

Week 5: Monday, Oct. 8, vs. Washington Redskins, 8:15 p.m. ET

Surely, the NFL and ESPN must have planned this, right? If Saints quarterback Drew Brees starts hot, he could be on pace to break Peyton Manning’s career passing yardage record inside the Superdome on Monday Night Football. Brees will need to average just a shade under 300 yards per game in the first five games to surpass Manning's mark of 71,940. Record: 4-1

Week 6: Bye

read more from Triplett

Predictions for the rest of the teams here

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

2018 Season schedule posted at the top menu of the site -

New Orleans Saints Fan Forums, News and Blogs - Black and Gold - 2018 New Orleans Saints Schedule

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

13-3 We will lose to the Panthers and Falcons once and either the Rams or the Eagles but we will beat the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game and beat the Steeler's in the Superbowl!

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

I disagree with the writer's prediction against Minnesota. The Saints came very close to winning the last game and they will be coming into this one with a chip on their shoulder. I'm sure Sean will have them view that last second TD plenty of times and pass around clippings about the 'Minnesota Miracle' before that game. I also slightly disagree about the Rams game. Sure the Rams have been impressive in free agency but it doesn't always translate into success on the field.

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

What else... 19-0!
Plus... Drew Brees finally beats the Ravens!

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/15/18...c10b9c843d.gif

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Why do you have up playing one game too many? :confused:

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

19-0 Baby!

:bng:

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

14-2 Loss to the Giants and Browns

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

QBs we face in 2018

Winston
T Taylor (new team)
E Manning
A Smith (new team)
J Flacco
K Cousins (new team)
J Goff
A Dalton
C Wentz
M Ryan
D Prescott
C Newton
B Roethlisberger

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

I'm just hoping we are not 7-9 again. Oh wait...

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

None of those are as good as Brees. Advantage Saints.

19-0 Baby!

:bng:

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Let’s be realistic. Great team last year but they were huge overachiever? A lot like 2006. It’s doubtful our ground game will be as spectacular and Drew has got to show some more drop off and inaccuracy in his game.
We have a very tough schedule.
8-8, 9-7 at best.

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Don't entirely disagree, but I think that's a bit light. Schedule is tough, but the team is better and more rounded than we have had for a number of years. I go 12-4 in the regular season. JMHO....

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

The Dude views the Saints in a worst case scenario. It is how he rolls. I guess if you set your expectations way, way low it lessens the chances for disappointment.

19-0 Baby!

:bng:

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Pardon me, but I feel they underachieved. They left a lot on the table. I expect our ground game to be even more effective given an extra year to establish and I fully expect Brees to remain at the top of his game, just as he has for the past decade plus.

And what is so tough about the Saints' schedule? It is virtually the same as the other teams in our division and the Saints are better than all of them, NFC South or otherwise. They all have their faults and weaknesses.

Ready for another sure loss bet? I say they top that 9-7 that you claim is their best. I love free money. $20 again?

19-0 Baby!

:bng:

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Wife buys tickets to first preseason game in Jacksonville against my will. That only leaves 1 option:

1-15. The jinx hits with a vengeance.

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

We do play in the toughest division in the NFL. The NFC South was built to beat us after we won the Super bowl and they have had somewhat limited success. Thank god for Jeff Ireland who has single handedly turned around the future of this franchise.

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

We played in the toughest division last year, but that changes annually.
In 2016 only Atl made the playoffs, and the division was barely .500. I don't see much improvement from Car or TB this off season.

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

It's almost as if you are saying that it is pointless to make regular season predictions before the draft and training camp.

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Of course it is. That's just common sense.

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

What else... 19-0!
Plus... Drew Brees finally beats the Ravens! :D

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/15/18...c10b9c843d.gif

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

I like watching her shake the stink box

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Lmmfao

And we rehire Rob Ryan....****ing shoot me

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Alright now....no need for the judgement of sound, logical reasoning for my prediction. You don't know how the jinx fairies work like I do.

Plus my cats can out-poop all your cats.

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Interesting interpretation and not one that I disagree with at all... lol

My reply was intending to say that I think we will lose two and typically we drop 2 to the crappiest teams on our schedule as we sleep right through them. :bng:

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

First off...

He's picking us to sweep Carolina again and TB who should be better than last year...I'm not sure on that.

I don't think we lose to the steelers, but I think we will lose to one of the ravens or bengals. If Brees beats Baltimore, the saints have two tough games afterward.

I think we beat the rams, but I'm undecided, but I am not certain on beating the giants, who just might have helped Eli a lot with a vintage late 00's-like running game when they were successful.

I believe it's important to win one of those road trips week 3 and 4. If we win week 3 we sweep Atlanta. I see 10-6 unless we become that intimidating enough to sweep TB.

And I don't think I need to stress this anymore. Those first two weeks are no excuses, especially week 2.

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

19-0 Baby!

:bng:

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints
 

I'm with Guido. 19 - 0! Who Dat!

Re: 2018 NFL schedule: Record predictions - Saints