We’re only a month away from the start of the 2015 NFL season and anticipation is building toward a fever pitch for the return of America’s most popular sports league. One of the teams to look out for this year is the revamped New Orleans Saints who are desperate to end their five-year Super Bowl drought this campaign.
Can the Saints restore their former glory this year? Read on below as we break down New Orleans’ chances this season. While you’re at it, you can check out our coverage of the NFC South win total predictions here.
[sc:Football ]
2015-2016 New Orleans Saints Preview
Overview
To say that the New Orleans Saints had a disappointing 2014 season would be a severe understatement. After posting an impressive 11-5 record in the 2013 campaign, many expected the Saints to dominate the relatively weak NFC South last season. That didn’t turn out to be the case, however, as the Saints floundered to a woeful 7-9 slate. It’s just the second time in the last six years that New Orleans ended the season with a losing record.
[sc:NFL240banner ]For the Saints to return to the playoff picture this season, they need to step it up on the defensive end. New Orleans had the league’s second-worst defense, allowing 6,144 total yards last season. The Saints ranked 25th in pass defense (251.2 yards per game) and 29th in run defense (132.8 yards per game).
To address their frailties in that department, the Saints brought back Dennis Allen, the secondary coach of their 2009 Super Bowl championship squad. The former Raiders head coach is expected to rejuvenate a Saints defense that struggled mightily to get some stops late in games last season.
Offseason Review
Given their problems on the defensive end last year, the New Orleans Saints made it a point to bolster their defensive ranks this past offseason. The Saints made a huge splash by signing cornerback Brandon Browner to a three-year, $15 million deal. He will fill in the No. 2 cornerback spot which proved to be troublesome for the Saints last year.
With his 6-foot-4, 221-pound frame, Browner will give the Saints that physical presence that they were sorely missing last campaign. Apart from that, Browner’s also a proven leader and winner. He played a vocal leadership role on each of the past two Super Bowl championship teams (Seattle in 2013 and New England in 2014).
The Saints added even more talent in that department by using six of their nine draft picks on defense. They drafted middle linebacker Stephone Anthony in the first round and pass rusher Hau’oli Kikaha in the second round. They also added another cornerback by picking P.J. Williams in the third round.
The Saints may have strengthened their defensive unit this year, but their offense will be a tad weaker when the new season comes along. They traded away their second-best player – tight end Jimmy Graham – to NFC rivals Seattle Seahawks for center Max Unger and a first-round pick. Graham caught 85 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns last season for the Saints.
New Orleans had to part ways with Graham, though, to strengthen an offensive line that proved problematic for them last season. Unger will play a crucial part in the Saints’ inevitable transformation from a pass-happy offense into a clock-chewing ground attack led by new signing C.J. Spiller and Mark Ingram.
Key Player – Drew Brees
No one likes to go 7-9. Just ask Drew Brees, who admitted that the 2014 campaign was his most frustrating season yet as a Saint. Although much of the blame for the Saints’ demise should be pinned on New Orleans’ horrible defense, Brees’ noticeable decline also played a part in its early elimination last season. In 2013, Brees had a whopping 39 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Brees’ touchdown to interception ratio took a negative turn last year, however, with the former Super Bowl MVP recording 33 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom, though, for Brees last year. On October 19, he became the NFL’s all-time leader in completion percentage at 66.2%. He also extended his streak to an NFL-record 7th straight season with at least 30 touchdown passes and nine straight seasons of 4,000 passing yards.
Brees will have his work cut out for him, however, this year with the departures of Jimmy Graham and receiver Kenny Stills (traded to Dolphins). If there’s one guy, though, who can cope with this sudden change in the offensive unit, it’s got to be Brees. The Saints have been ranked in the top five in total offense for eight of the past nine years. Brees may be 36 years old right now, but he’s still expected to be the Saints’ driving force for the upcoming season.
Key Game – vs. Dallas (October 4)
The New Orleans Saints were nearly unstoppable at the SuperDome in recent seasons, but that mystique came crashing down in spectacular fashion last year. After going on an 11-game home winning streak dating back to the previous year, the Saints finished last season with five consecutive home losses.
The Saints need to improve their home form if they are to return to the postseason this year. One of their biggest home games this year is a clash with the reigning NFC East champions Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys thumped the Saints, 38-17, in their lone meeting last season at AT&T Stadium. The Saints will be hoping they can avenge that defeat in their home field this year.
Best/Worst Case Scenario for the Season
Best Case Scenario
Drew Brees benefits from an even stronger offensive line and records another season with at least 30 touchdowns and 4,000 passing yards. Brandon Browner provides an immediate impact to the Saints’ defense as they finish inside the top 20 in the total defense department. The Saints bounce back strongly this season with a solid 10-6 record.
Worst Case Scenario
The wear and tear finally takes a toll on Brees’ body as his offensive numbers finally plummet. The Saints’ defense, which was atrocious last season, remains inconsistent this year. The Saints end the season with another losing record as they miss the playoffs for the second straight year.
Complete Schedule
WEEK
DATE
OPPONENT
TIME (ET)
1
Sunday, Sep 13
@ Arizona Cardinals
4:05 PM
2
Sunday, Sep 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1:00 PM
3
Sunday, Sep 27
@ Carolina Panthers
1:00 PM
4
Sunday, Oct 4
Dallas Cowboys
8:30 PM
5
Sunday, Oct 11
@ Philadelphia Eagles
1:00 PM
6
Thursday, Oct 15
Atlanta Falcons
8:25 PM
7
Sunday, Oct 25
@ Indianapolis Colts
1:00 PM
8
Sunday, Nov 1
New York Giants
1:00 PM
9
Sunday, Nov 8
Tennessee Titans
1:00 PM
10
Sunday, Nov 15
@ Washington Redskins
1:00 PM
11
BYE WEEK
12
Sunday Nov 29
@ Houston Texans
1:00 PM
13
Sunday, Dec 6
Carolina Panthers
1:00 PM
14
Sunday, Dec 13
@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1:00 PM
15
Monday, Dec 21
Detroit Lions
8:30 PM
16
Sunday, Dec 27
Jacksonville Jaguars
1:00 PM
17
Sunday, Jan 3
@ Atlanta Falcons
1:00 PM
Writer’s Prediction
New Orleans barges into the playoffs with a 10-6 record. Create a betting account now if you think the Saints can bounce back this season.
