The New Orleans Saints enter the 2025 NFL season focused. Following a challenging 5-12 campaign in 2024. With Kellen Moore taking over as head coach and uncertainty at quarterback with rookie Tyler Shough the Saints are searching for foundational pieces to build their next competitive roster.
Home and Away Opponents
New Orleans will play eight home games at the Caesars Superdome, facing the following teams:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- New York Giants
On the road, New Orleans will visit:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Buffalo Bills
- Chicago Bears
- Los Angeles Rams
- Miami Dolphins
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tennessee Titans
Strength of Schedule
New Orleans benefits from the NFL’s second-easiest strength of schedule in the league. Their opponents combined for a .419 winning percentage last season. This lighter schedule presents opportunities for the Saints to showcase progress, especially in divisional matchups and games against teams that struggled in 2024.
Key Matchups and Challenges
- Buccaneers, who led the NFC South last year, pose the toughest divisional challenge in both home and away contests.
- Home games against the Jets, Patriots, and 49ers could be more competitive than their 2024 records indicate, as each franchise made significant offseason moves.
- Saints’ matchups with the Giants and Titans-both teams that finished near the bottom of the league in 2024-offer realistic chances for New Orleans to secure wins.
Prime-Time Games and National Attention
The NFL has not featured the Saints prominently in prime-time slots in recent years, reflecting their recent struggles and ongoing rebuild. Over the past three seasons, New Orleans has played only three prime-time games per year. With a 1-8 record in prime-time slots.
This 2025 schedule may continue this trend, as the league typically reserves high-profile slots for teams with established stars or playoff expectations.
Roster and Offseason Moves
Retained defensive end Chase Young and drafted offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr., signaling a commitment to strengthening both lines.
Offensive playmakers like Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave (who missed time in 2024 due to injury) remain central to the team’s plans. However, the quarterback position remains unsettled, which could limit the team’s ceiling this season.
Season Outlook and Prediction
Most analysts project the Saints to finish near the bottom of the NFC South in 2025.
Sportsbooks set their over/under win total at 6.5..
The
focus this year will be on implementing Moore’s offensive philosophy, evaluating young talent, and identifying which players can anchor the next phase of the franchise’s rebuild.