NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
2023 Record - 9-8
Head Coach - Dennis Allen
Key Additions - Chase Young (DL), Willie Gay (LB), James Robinson (RB), Equanimeous St. Brown (WR), Cedrick Wilson, Jr. (WR)
Key Losses - James Hurst (OL), Jameis Winston (QB), Andrus Peat (OL), Michael Thomas (WR), Zack Baun (LB)
2023 STATS LINE
PASSING - Derek Carr (3,878 yards, 25 TD, 8 INT)
RUSHING - Alvin Kamara (694 yards, 3.9 ypc, 5 TD)
RECEIVING - Chris Olave (87 receptions, 1,123 yards, 5 TD)
SACKS - Carl Granderson (8 1/2)
INTERCEPTIONS - Tyrann Mathieu (4)
OUTLOOK FOR 2024 - The Saints almost went marching in (to the playoffs) last year, but fell short and Head Coach Dennis Allen will be feeling the heat if they don't compete this season. Playing in the NFC South won't be easy as Tampa Bay has been dominating in recent seasons and the Atlanta Falcons have retooled their team and loaded up with big names on both sides of the football.
The offense will once again be led by quarterback Derek Carr, who had a decent season last year. The running backs include Alvin Kamara, who has slowed in production in recent years, and James Robinson and Jamaal Williams. Wide receivers include Chris Olave, Taysom Hill (who also can play situational QB), Rashid Shaheed, Equan St. Brown and Cedrick Wilson, Jr., who comes over from Miami and was a big time red zone threat, scoring five touchdowns on just 22 receptions a year ago. The Saints averaged 23.6 PPG in 2023 and finished 14th in total offense, averaging 337 yards per game.
The defense was adequate, allowing 327 yards per game (13th in NFL) with a top ten pass defense and also in scoring defense, finishing 8th overall, allowing only 19.2 PPG. Chase Young (defensive end) comes on board and he has been working his way back from injuries after a huge rookie year with Washington four years ago. Linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner will be joined by Willie Gay this season and Carl Granderson leads the troops up front. The "Honey Badger" is back again in the secondary, Tyrann Mathieu led the team with four picks last season.
The key for New Orleans will be competing with Atlanta and Tampa Bay within divisional play. They split the four games a year ago and would do well to repeat that effort in 2024. This team can win the division, but they have to be more consistent on offense, where too many drives stalled last year. With some new faces in camp this year, perhaps that can help battle the complacency issues that have hounded the team since the Sean Payton and Drew Brees era ended. The Saints face five playoff teams (from last season) in their first eleven games, so getting off to a fast start would boost confidence when they play the teams they must beat down the stretch to get the division crown. It won't be easy in The Big Easy this season, but with some breaks and good health, this team could get back to the playoffs.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Carolina
Week Two - at Dallas
Week Three - vs. Philadelphia
Week Four - at Atlanta
Week Five - at Kansas City
Week Six - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Seven - vs. Denver
Week Eight - at L.A. Chargers
Week Nine - at Carolina
Week Ten - vs. Atlanta
Week Eleven - vs. Cleveland
Week Twelve - BYE
Week Thirteen - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Fourteen - at N.Y. Giants
Week Fifteen - vs. Washington
Week Sixteen - at Green Bay
Week Seventeen - vs. Las Vegas
Week Eighteen - at Tampa Bay
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