There are plenty of interesting story lines for the New Orleans Saints going into the 2026 NFL season. Tyler Shough’s development, how will Kellen Moore keep his team on track, and what does Alvin Kamara’s role look like as RB2?
Despite all of these, the Saints’ matchups have been overlooked quite a bit. So what would be the most can’t-miss games for New Orleans in 2026?
3. Saints vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Week 7)
No one deserved to be part of the first-ever NFL game in Paris more than the Saints. From the French roots that built New Orleans
to the team’s continuous effort to establish a presence there, it was never a shocker they would be chosen to be there.
But part of what makes this game so intriguing is the team’s ability to grow internationally. The 2026 FIFA World Cup has shown one thing to Americans: how beautiful a game soccer really is, despite the stereotypical American reaction. Part of this growth has been due to the fact that it is taking place on home soil, something the Saints will be able to replicate in Paris.
The matchup itself isn’t too intriguing. The Saints and the Steelers don’t have much beef, but Tyler Shough versus Aaron Rodgers is a pretty solid headline. Despite the lack of excitement for the matchup, a win for the Saints in Paris could do wonders for their international growth.
2. Saints vs. Chicago Bears (Week 11)
The Saints weren’t great early in the 2025 NFL season, and despite a valiant loss to the New England Patriots heading into their matchup with the Chicago Bears, it was Chicago’s dominant defense that truly derailed the Saints’ season.
The Dennis Allen-led defense dominated Spencer Rattler and the New Orleans offense, with a final score of 26-14. After the loss, the Saints would bench Rattler at halftime in their next matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The obvious, intriguing part of this matchup is the rematch with Allen. The Bears’ defense was the x-factor in the 2025 matchup, with Chicago forcing four turnovers and four sacks. But this matchup will be a lot more interesting the second time around.
Tyler Shough will be the starter this time around. Shough was clearly the better quarterback for the Saints’ offense, and it will be interesting to see how he responds to a dangerous Bears defense.
1. Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons (Week 4)
The best storyline for the Saints in 2026 will be the NFL commemorating the Saints vs. the Atlanta Falcons homecoming game 20 years later. New Orleans will host Atlanta on Monday Night Football in Week 4, a little over 20 years since the iconic game. The Falcons will want nothing more than to spoil the Saints’ big game, and quite honestly, New Orleans can’t allow them to do that.
This game could also be a big moment for Shough. Commemorating 20 years of the greatest game in Saints history and the rebirth of, not just the Saints, but also the city of New Orleans. Shough is already seen as part of the turnaround for the Saints. They’ve struggled since Drew Brees retired and appeared to be in quarterback purgatory.
A win for the Saints against their biggest rivals would be big, but to do it in a game that means as much as it does to New Orleans makes this game the most interesting going into the 2026 NFL season.
