Alright — we’ve had time to look at the New Orleans Saints’ 2023 schedule to get an idea of how the season might play out. We’ve known the opponents and venues for a while now, but the week-to-week grind of the NFL season matters a lot, and how these matchups are all laid out changes some things.
Back-to-back road trips matter. So do long homestands, games against 2022 playoff teams, and matchups with high-profile rookie quarterbacks. The bye week is a critical point on the calendar. We’re probably not going to come close in individual score predictions (we sure missed the mark last year), so we’re keeping it simple this time and dialing in on winners and losers each week:
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This is going to be tough. Derrick Henry and rookie draft pick Tyjae Spears are going to be a big test for a Saints run defense that regressed last year and prompted lots of turnover in the spring, and the Titans quarterback competition is going to be worth watching over the summer. Derek Carr is 3-2 against Tennessee in his career but he’s played well, throwing 10 touchdown passes against 2 interceptions while taking 7 sacks and averaging 281 passing yards per game. If the Saints defense does its job and the offensive line keeps Carr clean, they should take care of this one.
Record: 1-0
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No way the Panthers really start Andy Dalton over Bryce Young, right? Either way, weird things happen when the Saints visit Carolina, and they’ve been upset during early-season Panthers games twice in the last two years. The third time might be the charm. But the Panthers are my pick to be New Orleans’ top competition in the NFC South, and head coach Frank Reich could get the better of Dennis Allen while Carr continues to figure some things out offensively.
Record: 1-1
AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton
Is Jordan Love good? Probably not if the Packers put up with Aaron Rodgers’ off-field shenanigans for so long, but this is his chance to prove he was worth a first-round pick. Either way Green Bay is a flawed team without many difference-makers defensively and a shaky offensive line. The Saints can win this game, but much of it depends on how often they can stay out of their own way with turnovers and penalties.
Record: 2-1
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The Buccaneers are going back into the NFC South’s basement after Tom Brady brought them…
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