by 2022 New Orleans Saints Schedule Predictions
The 2022 edition of the New Orleans Saints season will be the first without longtime head coach Sean Payton, who retired following the 2021 season.
Despite a slew of injuries and a depleted receiving core, the Saints finished 9-8 in 2021, narrowly missing out on a playoff berth.
In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Saints signed Ohio State product Chris Olave with the 11th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Him plus a healthy Michael Thomas could potentially make for a top-tier receiver duo. With the 19th pick, they selected OT Trevor Penning from Northern Iowa to shore up the offensive line.
The Saints also signed free agent Jarvis Landry to a one-year deal.
Other Saints acquisitions include Cedric Maye, former Chiefs safety Daniel Sorensen, and former Bengals signal-caller Andy Dalton.
Week 1: at Atlanta (WIN)
Falcons will not have Matt Ryan at the helm. However, the Falcons do have a couple of receiving threats in Kyle Pitts and rookie wide receiver Drake London. Also, can’t forget about Corradelle Patterson. However, like Week 18 last year, the Saints will win to start their season on the right foot.
Week 2 Tampa Bay (WIN)
After 40 days of retirement, Tom Brady has decided to return for another season. Since he started play for Tampa, the Saints have had Brady’s number year in and year out, being one of just two teams Brady has a losing record to. New Orleans will have the home field advantage and eke out another close win.
Week 3 at Carolina (WIN)
Regardless if Christian McCaffrey is healthy or not, don’t see the Saints having too many problems here. Carolina is in yet another rebuilding year.
Week 4: Minnesota (London) (LOSS)
First loss of the season comes overseas. However, it will be a high-scoring affair with multiple touchdowns. Justin Jefferson is the real deal as a receiver, and will only improve with time.
Week 5: Seattle (WIN)
Shouldn’t be too difficult. The Legion of Boom ain’t walking through that door any time soon.
Week 6: Cincinnati (LOSS)
Joe Burrow is coming off an AFC championship appearance and has rising stock as one of the top QBs in the AFC. With this game being his and Ja’Marr Chase’s homecomings (both played for LSU and won the 2019 National Championship), don’t expect them to miss a step.
Week 7: at Arizona (Thursday Night Football) (LOSS)
Every team has at least one game where things just don’t go their way for some reason or another. This one will be it on short rest.
Week 8: Las Vegas (WIN)
If this game was in Las Vegas, I would lean towards the Raiders. However, the Saints will bounce back, as their secondary shuts down Davante Adams.
Week 9: Baltimore (Sunday Night Football) (WIN)
Lamar Jackson can run, but he can’t hide. The Saints defense will put together another impressive defensive performance.
Week 10: at Pittsburgh (WIN)
Although Mike Tomlin is a great coach, and the Steelers have Najee Harris, and rookie Kenny Pickett, the Saints will not have any fear of the Terrible Towels and leave Pittsburgh with a win.
Week 11: Los Angeles Rams (LOSS)
The Rams are the defending Super Bowl champions for a reason. If the Saints could exact revenge for the 2019 NFC Title Game, it would be pretty cool, however, even at home, it’s not happening this year.
Week 12: San Francisco 49ers (WIN)
Niners will take a step back this season, especially with the loss of Deebo Samuel. At this stage, Trey Lance will likely be the QB at this point.
Week 13: at Tampa Bay (LOSS)
Part of me really wants to say that if Tom Brady couldn’t beat the Saints practice squad regimen from last season that didn’t even score a TD, then he can’t the Saints in any way, shape or form (in the regular season). The truth is that Tom Brady will inevitably get his revenge.
Week 14: BYE
Week 15: Atlanta (WIN)
Atlanta will make things tighter than Week 1, but the Saints will take the lead late and pull away.
Week 16: at Cleveland (Christmas Eve) (LOSS)
Can see the elements working in the Browns’ favor, especially if old man winter is in full effect. Unless it is unseasonably warm, or the Saints have a STELLAR defensive performance, will be tough to pull out a win here.
Week 17: at Philadelphia (LOSS)
Playing in Philly three years in a row is a curse. Nothing good ever happens to the Saints in Philly. Hope to be wrong.
Week 18: Carolina (WIN)
The Saints will have a spirited rally in the second half against a Carolina team that is in their rebuilding stage.
Final Record: 10-7 (Wild Card spot)
