Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
It’s a new beginning in the Crescent City as Sean Payton’s team not only looks to repeat as division champions but unseat the current Lombardi Trophy owners.
You would think that a franchise-record four consecutive division titles would have led to bigger and better things for any football team. But the New Orleans Saints parlayed a magnificent 49-15 combined regular-season record since 2017 into only one appearance in the NFC title game. That was a controversial overtime home loss to the Rams in ’18.
One year later, it was another home loss and in overtime again – this time to the upstart Vikings. This past year, Sean Payton’s 12-4 club toyed with the Chicago Bears in the first round and a week later self-destructed in the fourth quarter against the rival Buccaneers.
The following five games should come as not much of a surprise. The three other defending NFC champions and a pair of clashes with two of their divisional rivals.
5 Games the New Orleans Saints need to win
5. at Washington Football Team
Despite a 7-9 record this past year, Ron Rivera guided the Washington Football Team to an NFC East title. The club has a fearsome defense led by a slew of first-round draft choices up front, led by 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young.
At least at this moment, journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick is the team’s quarterback. Of course, the Saints will have a new starting signal-caller as well. Including playoffs, Rivera was 1-5 in his last six meetings with New Orleans dating back to 2017 – including a playoff loss.