One silver lining for a poor finish is knowing you’ll land a better schedule next year — a slate of opponents for a third-place team is, presumably, easier to knock down than a series of first-place squads.
That didn’t matter for the New Orleans Saints in 2023; head coach Dennis Allen had the easiest schedule in the league and still opened December in third place, the same spot he finished with in the NFC South a year ago. But hope springs eternal. Whether or not Allen is coaching the Saints in 2024 is unknown.
What we do know is the matchups and locations for all but three of New Orleans’ games next year, with two home games against the same-ranked teams in the AFC North and NFC West as well as a road trip for the same-ranked NFC North team waiting to be decided.
Another thing known in advance: the Saints will have nine home games in 2024, the first time they’ll enjoy that benefit of the 17-game schedule after relocating their season opener in 2021 to Jacksonville in the wake of Hurricane Ida and playing a “home” game in London in 2022. With extensive renovations to the Caesars Superdome progressing well, fans will finally get the full experience next season. Hopefully the team can give them something to cheer about.
But if current standing hold, here are the teams the Saints will see in 2024:
Nov 26, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Albert Huggins (94) linebacker Nate Landman (53) and safety Jessie Bates III (3) go after a fumble by New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) (not shown) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 18: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers warms up prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium on September 18, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 24: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the second half in the game against the New Orleans Saints at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Current record: 7-5
The Saints will host the Browns if both teams finish in third place in their division standings.
Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton watches play against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 24: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers high fives teammates while taking the field prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field on September 24, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Current record: 6-6
The Saints will visit the Packers if both teams finish in third place in their division standings.
Kansas City Chiefs (AWAY)
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 21: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs talks with quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 during a time out in the first half of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
Oct 15, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) celebrates a first down against the New England Patriots in the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; a costumed Los Angeles Chargers fan during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reacts while looking up at the video scoreboard during the second half against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Current record: 4-8
Philadelphia Eagles (HOME)
Oct 22, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat (94) reacts to his sack during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (6) and safety Jamal Adams (33) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) celebrate after the defense made a play against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Current record: 6-6
The Saints will host the Seahawks if both teams finish in third place in their division standings.
Oct 15, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) calls a play at the line against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Current record: 5-7
Washington Commanders (HOME)
Jan 8, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) celebrates with Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) after connecting on a long pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Falcons first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr. said quarterback Kirk Cousins called him after he was picked No. 8 overall in one of the 2024 NFL Draft's more puzzling selections.
The NFL will allow players to wear protective Guardian Caps during games beginning with the 2024 season. The caps were previously mandated for practices.
Damian Lillard is doubtful to play in Game 4 of the Milwaukee Bucks' first-round NBA playoff series with the Indiana Pacers. Lillard suffered an Achilles injury on a drive to the basket in Game 3.
Scott Pianowski debuts The Fantasy Baseball Buzz, a weekly series analyzing the biggest stories across MLB. This week, the Dodgers' leadoff man's scorching start.
Have a couple of fantasy baseball teams but are unsure how to keep them strong and winning now that the season has started? Don't worry — Scott Pianowski has your back.
In the end for the anti-doping officials, all their scientific and legal justifications for allowing nearly two dozen positive tests to go unpunished boiled down to a single explanation: they trusted China.
It's another edition of 'Mock Draft Monday' on the pod and who better to have on then the face of NFL Network's draft coverage and a giant in the industry. Daniel Jeremiah joins Matt Harmon to discuss his mock draft methodology, what he's hearing about this year's draft class and shares his favorite five picks in his latest mock draft.
