NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
2020 Record - 12-4-0
Head Coach - Sean Payton
Key Additions - Nick Vannett (TE), Tanoh Kpassagnon (DL), Alex Armah (RB)
OFFENSE - With longtime starting quarterback Drew Brees now retired, the Saints will turn to either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill to handle the offense in the 2021 season. Winston passed for 5,109 yards with 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions with Tampa Bay two years ago, but played very little last year. Hill passed for 928 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions, but also rushed for 457 yards (5.3 ypc average) and eight touchdowns.
The running game has Alvin Kamara (932 yards, 5.0 ypc and 16 TD along with a team high 83 receptions for 756 yards and five TD) as the main man. Latavius Murray ran for 656 yards last season (4.5 ypc) and four touchdowns and is a great complement in the backfield. The wide receiving corps looks to Michael Thomas (40 receptions for 438 yards in limited action in 2020) to return to full health following off-season ankle surgery that will likely keep him out for the first few games this year. Tre'Quan Smith (34, 448, four TD), Deonte Harris, Marquez Callaway, Juwan Johnson and rookie Kawaan Baker (South Alabama) are the other options this year. The tight ends are Adam Trautman and Nick Vannett.
DEFENSE - Cameron Jordan (7 1/2 QB sacks) teams with Marcus Davenport, Shy Tuttle and David Onyemata up front while Demario Davis (team leading 119 tackles in 2020 season), Zack Baun, Kwon Alexander, Kaden Elliss and rookie Pete Werner (Ohio State) will play linebacker. Also in the mix in the front seven are Tanoh Kpassagnon, Malcolm Roach, Jalen Dalton and rookie Payton Turner, the team's top draft pick from Houston.
The secondary will feature corners Marshon Lattimore, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, P.J. Williams, Keith Washington and rookie Paulson Adebo (Stanford). Malcolm Jenkins (three interceptions) and Marcus Williams are the safeties. The Saints picked off 18 passes last year, which was 11th in the NFL and they also had 45 QB sacks while getting a plus-nine in the turnover category. The pass defense was fifth in the league, allowing 217 yards per game while the run defense ranked fourth, giving up 94 yards per game. Overall, the New Orleans defense allowed 311 YPG (4th in NFL) and gave up 21.1 points per game.
2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - Saints Head Coach Sean Payton came along in The Big Easy at the same time that Brees did back in 2006 and now he will have a new starting QB for the first time as Winston and/or Hill will take the snaps. That will be the key to whatever success the Saints will have this season. Alvin Kamara is also a big cog in the offense as he does it all by running and catching the football while also scoring 21 touchdowns last season. Getting back a full wide receiving unit would be a big plus as well. Michael Thomas missed a ton of action last year and is on the shelf once again as the season opener looms in a few weeks.
The offense is solid and ranked fifth in the league in scoring last year with a 30.1 points per game average. The passing game averaged 235 YPG (19th) and the running game gained 141 yards per game, which was sixth overall. The Saints were 12th in total offense, averaging 376 yards per game.
As long as the defense remains consistent, the Saints will be competitive once again. The team has seen seven defensive players leave since last season and DB Patrick Robinson just announced his retirement this week. The Saints are in a bit of transition on both sides of the ball, especially at quarterback, but it isn't too far fetched to say they will make the playoffs yet again this season. A 10-7 finish should be good enough to get a wild card spot, but then again, nothing is ever a guarantee in the NFL.
2021 SCHEDULE
Week 1 - vs. Green Bay
Week 2 - at Carolina
Week 3 - at New England
Week 4 - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week 5 - at Washington
Week 6 - BYE
Week 7 - at Seattle
Week 8 - vs. Tampa Bay
Week 9 - vs. Atlanta
Week 10 - at Tennessee
Week 11 - at Philadelphia
Week 12 - vs. Buffalo
Week 13 - vs. Dallas
Week 14 - at N.Y. Jets
Week 15 - at Tampa Bay
Week 16 - vs. Miami
Week 17 - vs. Carolina
Week 18 - at Atlanta
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