New Orleans Saints Game By Game Predictions

As the calendar turns to June, we are one month closer to the start of the 2023 NFL season. The New Orleans Saints will be looking to end their two-year playoff drought as they will begin their regular season at home against the Tennessee Titans. The schedule for the Saints sets up for them to be in the hunt to take the NFC South crown, as their strength of schedule ranks among the easiest in the league.

Based on last year’s record, New Orleans has the easiest strength of schedule for the 2023 season. New Orleans will be ready to kick off their season on September 10th in front of their home crowd. There is a lot of excitement building towards this season and with that we take a deep dive into the game-by-game predictions for the 2023 version of the black and gold.

New Orleans Saints Game By Game Predictions

Week 1: vs. Tennessee Titans

To start off the 2023 regular season, the Saints will stay home in New Orleans to take on the Tennessee Titans. The Titans finished the 2022 season at a 7-10 mark, and there are question marks all around heading into this season. Tennessee is going to be facing several challenges this season, and there are on the brink of being in rebuilding mode. The quarterback position is going to be in limbo all season with newly acquired rookie quarterback Will Levis. It should be expected that Ryan Tannehill would get the start in week one against the Saints.

Outside of Tannehill, Derrick Henry could pose a problem to a Saints defensive line that has been revamped during the offseason. Derek Carr will get his first opportunity with this Saints offense, and look for him to carve up a vulnerable pass defense. New Orleans will start off the season strong with a win over the Titans in week one. Record: 1-0. 

Week 2: @ Carolina Panthers

The week two road trip to Carolina is quite familiar with the Saints as they did it during the 2022 season. Both teams will be going through some early adjustments on the offensive side of the ball. It will be the home debut for Bryce Young, and this revamped Panthers offense. The Panthers added Miles Sanders into the mix at the running back position. The running game could pose a challenge as the Saints’ rush defense will be tested early on in the season.

Veteran leaders will have to be replaced on both rosters, and both teams will be going through some growing pains to start their trek throughout the season. The NFC South race this year looks to be open again, and the Saints will be right in the mix. The Panthers always seem to steal one of two games from New Orleans during the season. Carr will still be figuring it out with the new offense, and Carolina will knock off the Saints at home. Record: 1-1. 

Week 3: @ Green Bay Packers

Week three features a back-to-back road trip, this time to Green Bay. New Orleans is going to be thankful that they get the Packers early on in the season at Lambeau when the temperatures have not hit the freezing mark. Green Bay comes into the season with a lot of unknowns, especially at the quarterback position. Aaron Rodgers is now a jet, leaving Jordan Love as the QB1 for the Packers. The last time the Saints faced off against the Packers was during the 2021 season, and they were able to dominate that game from start to finish.

The Saints’ defense will have to step up once more against a young quarterback that has seen limited action at the starting quarterback position for Green Bay. There are some flaws to this Packers team that the Saints will be able to exploit. Love will be getting one of his first opportunities to prove his worth as a first-round draft pick. Both teams will still be working out the kinks in this week three showdown, but New Orleans will edge out the Packers in Lambeau to take momentum into week four. Record: 2-1

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Week 4: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay is officially starting its era after Tom Brady and entering the Baker Mayfield show heading into the 2023 season. Even with the uncertainty at the quarterback position, there is still talent that will challenge the Saints in this annual rivalry game. New Orleans’ defense always seems to play its best against the Buccaneers, and more should be expected from that unit this season.

The Buccaneers’ defense struggled last season, and they dealt with injuries that kept them from reaching their peak. New Orleans will flex their muscle in week four as they get back on track in the NFC South race after dropping a game at Carolina in week two. After getting swept last year by Tampa Bay, the Saints will be looking to get some revenge. Tampa Bay will be able to keep this game close for a while, but ultimately the Saints will come away with a much-needed victory. Record: 3-1. 

Week 5: @ New England Patriots

New Orleans will hit the road in week five as they take on the New England Patriots. The last time these two teams met in the regular season was in 2021. The Saints’ defense rose to the occasion, and they were able to aggravate Mac Jones during the game. The one aspect that the Saints should be looking for in this game with Bill Belichick on the opposing sideline it’s always going to be a battle in the trenches.

Jones has struggled early on in his career to find a groove in this Patriots offense. New England has relied heavily on their run game, now led by Rhamondre Stevenson. Their offense lacks the firepower that will be able to keep up with the Saints’ offense that will be in a rhythm by week five. The Patriots’ defense will be able to hold down the Saints for the majority of the game as they edge out New Orleans with a close victory. Record: 3-2.

Week 6: @ Houston Texans

Once again, the Saints see back-to-back road trips early on in the season as they continue their trip around the AFC South against the Houston Texans. The Texans were the winners of the first round of the NFL Draft by selecting CJ Stroud and Will Anderson. Along with the new additions in the draft, Houston will be starting a new era with DeMeco Ryan taking over the reins as head coach. Houston could be in the mix for one of the surprises this season, depending on how their rookies pan out in their debut season in the NFL.

The Saints can’t afford to look past the Texans on the road, as anyone is beaten on any given week in this league. Houston won’t back down from the fight against the Saints, but in the end, New Orleans will come away with the victory. Record: 4-2.

Week 7: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

After facing the Texans in week six, the Saints draw another AFC South opponent during the following week. The Jacksonville Jaguars were the story of last season, as they were able to take down the Titans to claim the AFC South crown during the 2022 season. Trevor Lawrence is starting to live up to his No. 1 overall pick potential, and the Jaguars’ defense continues to improve every year.

Lawrence made strides during the 2022 season as he posted 4,113 yards and 25 touchdowns. Doug Pederson was able to bring this team back to the playoffs, and they will be looking to be back in the 2023 season. In the preseason, the Jaguars are starting to look like the favorites to win the AFC South this year. Jacksonville’s offense will only get better as they add Calvin Ridley into the mix. The Jaguars will be too much for the Saints to handle in this week seven clash. Record: 4-3. 

Week 8: @ Indianapolis Colts

The Saints will finish out their AFC South stretch in week eight as they will hit the road to take on the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts come into the season with a lot of doubt as they have moved on from Frank Reich, and Matt Ryan is no longer under center. Indianapolis used their first-round pick in this year’s draft to take Anthony Richardson. The Colts will be hoping that their quarterback carousel is over and that Richardson will be their quarterback for the future.

Even if Richardson gets the start in week eight against the Saints, the Colts are still a few years away from being legitimate threats in the AFC. New Orleans’ defense should be able to take advantage of a lackluster Colts offense. The Colts secondary struggled in 2022, and Carr should be able to test his limits against that unit. After dropping a game to the Jaguars, the Saints will get back on track with a road win over the Colts. Record: 5-3. 

Week 9: vs. Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have been active during the offseason as they originally claimed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but they ended up shipping that pick to the Carolina Panthers. One of the key pieces that were involved in that trade was the Panthers sending DJ Moore to Chicago. Adding another weapon for Justin Fields is only going to make this offense scarier heading into the new season. The Bears also have Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool in the mix to gain valuable reps during the season.

Chicago’s defense could also be improving this season with many new rookie additions that will serve a vital role for that unit heading into the 2023 season. The Saints will have to contain Fields on the ground and not let him operate in open space when he has the ball in his hands. The Bears will be a challenge for the Saints during this week nine matchup, but New Orleans will prevail in a game that comes down to the final possession. Record: 6-3. 

Week 10: @ Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans will hop back on the plane in Week 10 as they face a familiar foe in the Minnesota Vikings. These two teams met last season in London, and the Vikings were able to knock off the Saints 28-25. Minnesota was able to claim the NFC North title during the 2022 season, and they will be looking to be in that same spot this season. They will end up having to replace Dalvin Cook, but there are other weapons on the offensive side of the ball that will impose a challenge against the Saints.

The Vikings have been able to take advantage against the Saints in this series as they hold a 24-13 advantage. Kirk Cousins and the offense will be too much for the Saints’ defense to slow down. Minnesota will come away with a victory at home, and the Saints will drop their third game of the year. Record: 6-4.

Week 11: Bye Week

Like last season, the bye week for the Saints comes at the late part of the season. New Orleans comes into the bye week with a 6-4 record and will be in a great position to take the NFC South. We will see if the Saints can bounce back from their Week 10 loss against the Vikings as they now turn their attention to Week 12.

Week 12: vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Saints come off the bye week to face off against their bitter rivals, the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have been busy in the offseason as they added Calais Campbell, David Onyemata, Kaden Elliss, Bud Dupree, Jeff Okudah, and Jessie Bates. Atlanta’s defense will be much improved as it continues to build on talent during the offseason. It doesn’t stop there, as they added Bijan Robinson to an offense that is ready to compete with the rest of its NFC South competitors.

The Falcons will be vying for the NFC South title alongside the Saints as this division is going to come down to its final stretch. This game always comes with surprises, and it is decided in the fourth quarter. Atlanta’s run game was a problem in the first matchup last season, and we expect it to be the same in week 12. The Falcons come into the Superdome and knock off the Saints. Record: 6-5. 

Week 13: vs. Detroit Lions

New Orleans gets to stay home in week 13 as they look to get back in the win column after dropping two consecutive games. The Lions barely missed out on the playoffs last season, but there is a lot to like about this team heading into the 2023 season. The offensive firepower will be the main show for the Lions, especially by adding Jamhyr Gibbs. Gibbs showed his elite speed throughout his career at Georgia Tech and Alabama.

Detroit’s defense improved during the 2022 season, and we expect that to continue heading into this year. Jamaal Williams will get an opportunity to compete against his former team. The Lions are going to be one of the more talked about teams this season, but the hype stops here as the Saints will take down Detroit in a thriller. Record: 7-5.

Week 14: vs. Carolina Panthers

The Saints will get to stay at home for another week as they will be looking to flip the script after dropping the first meeting of the season against the Carolina Panthers. New Orleans will learn from their mistakes in the loss against the Panthers as they win back-to-back games to get to their ninth overall win on the season. Record: 8-5. 

Week 15: vs. New York Giants

After taking down the Panthers in week 14, the Saints will now host the New York Giants in week 15. The Giants quickly became one of the surprise teams in the NFC last season as Brian Daboll was able to lead his squad to a playoff appearance. Daboll proved to be one of the most underrated coaches in the NFL and will be looking to continue that momentum heading into 2023.

The running ability of Daniel Jones will be the key in this matchup against the Saints defense. The Saints will have to be able to keep Jones from making plays with his legs. The last time these two teams met, Saquon Barkley was able to impose his will against New Orleans’ rush defense. After winning two straight games, the Saints drop a close one to the Giants in week 15. Record: 8-6. 

Week 16: @ Los Angeles Rams

New Orleans will have to deal with a short week heading into week 16 as they will face off against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football. The Rams had a disappointing 2022 season after winning the Super Bowl in the previous season. Matthew Stafford going down with an injury, sunk this team to a new low. The Rams are potentially entering a rebuilding phase as they traded away Jalen Ramsey. Stafford’s health going into the season will be the deciding factor if the Rams will be in the NFC West race.

It is always a battle between these two teams, but the makeup of this Rams roster is heading in the wrong direction. The Saints get back on track after dropping a close one at home against the Giants as they are able to knock off Los Angeles during the short week. Record: 9-6.

Week 17: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Saints were able to take the first game of this tw0-game series between these two teams this season, and at this point, the Buccaneers could be looking to claim the No. 1 overall pick to take Caleb Williams. New Orleans will be able to get the win on the road and sweep the season series against Tampa Bay. Record: 10-6. 

Week 18: @ Atlanta Falcons

New Orleans will end their 2023 season with a back-to-back road trip against NFC South foes. Week 17 and 18 could be crucial weeks for the Saints if the divisional race gap is narrow. The Falcons were able to knock off the Saints in the Superdome, but the Saints will be able to even up the series as they take down Atlanta to close out their 2023 regular season. The week 18 win against their rivals should be enough to vault them to an NFC South division crown. Record: 11-6.