With players and coaches back in the building on Airline Drive as OTAs got underway last week, excitement is truly starting to build as we inch closer to Saints football.
And with that, here’s a quick look at my predictions for the season:
Week 1: at Lions LOSS
Week 2: at Ravens WIN
Week 3: Raiders WIN
Week 4: Falcons WIN
Week 5: Vikings LOSS
Week 6: at Giants LOSS
Week 7: Steelers (Paris) WIN
Week 8: BYE WEEK
Week 9: Browns WIN
Week 10: Panthers WIN
Week 11: at Bears LOSS
Week 12: at Bengals LOSS
Week 13: Packers
LOSS
Week 14: at Panthers WIN
Week 15: at Bucs LOSS
Week 16: Cardinals WIN
Week 17: at Falcons WIN
Week 18: Bucs WIN
Season record: 10-7
In what I anticipate to be at least a three-way tussle for the division, the Saints need to rack up wins against NFC South opposition. I believe they will.
I sense an early statement win in Baltimore, which would see the black and gold make it back to the Superdome for a winnable stretch of home games with a win already to their name.
As we know, the NFL is greatly unpredictable. I went against my gut feeling a couple of times. Consecutive losses to Minnesota and New York would be tough, but wholly within the realm of possibility.
In a world where these predictions come close to reality, Tyler Shough would build on his rookie campaign at quarterback and utilize the array of new weapons at his disposal. Brandon Staley’s defense would continue to perform while it goes through its current transitional phase. And, above all, the team would maintain good health.
Given the number of close, disappointing losses a season ago, and the tangible improvements made across the roster so far this offseason, I think a 4-game jump in the win column is an attainable mark for this team.
And, I must add, for myself, alongside our international readers, I was always going to pick the Saints to win in Paris!
Let me know where you think I’m right and wrong in the comments below. Which games do you predict might carry a surprising outcome?
