2013 New Orleans Saints Schedule: Way Too Early Predictions From NFC South Columnist
By Chris Roling
Jan 29, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Fans can view New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees locker at the NFL Experience during the week of Super Bowl XLVI at the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The 2013 New Orleans Saints schedule has been officially released which of course means it’s prediction time! Our good friends over at The Pewter Plank, Fansided’s official Tampa Bay Buccaneers blog, were kind enough to give us their thoughts on how the Saints 2013 campaign would play out.
Our friend Leo Howell, managing editor of The Pewter Plank, gives us his predictions for the 2013 season below. In return, we gave him our predictions for the Buccaneers season here.
Note: This is the first in a series of predictions for around the NFC South. Obviously it’s “way too early,” but it’s always fun to speculate how your favorite team will do in 2013! Let us know what you think in the comments section or on Twitter.
Week 1: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – SUNDAY, SEP 08TH 1:00 PM ET
Saints win. I think the Saints will hold court at home and make a statement to open the season. They might not be the better team at the end of the year, but they get the win to start off the season.
Week 2: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – SUNDAY, SEP 15TH 4:05 PM ET
Saints win. The Buccaneers are still stinging from the beatdown late last season. It’s not enough to bring them a victory against the Saints, tho.
Week 3: Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints – SUNDAY, SEP 22ND 1:00 PM ET
Saints win. A 3-0 start is a bit of a dream for the Saints, and it’s definitely attainable. I don’t see the Cardinals being contenders for much of anything, and certainly not contending for a win in the Big Easy.
Week 4, Monday Night Football: Miami Dolphins at New Orleans Saints – MONDAY, SEP 30TH 8:40 PM ET
Saints Win. The Saints move to 4-0 on Monday Night Football. The Dolphins are set up for failure with all this primetime exposure, and the Saints will be the talk of the NFL.
Week 5: New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears – SUNDAY, OCT 06TH 1:00 PM ET
Bears Win. The streak ends in Chicago, as the Bears defend the home turf and shut down the Saints. The Bears aren’t going to be the best team in the league, but neither are the Saints, and this is the spot the streak comes to a halt.
Week 6: New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots – SUNDAY, OCT 13TH 4:25 PM ET
Patriots Win. A losing streak has begun. The Patriots aren’t going to lose at home in a game like this.
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints – SUNDAY, OCT 27TH 1:00 PM ET
Saints Win. Not sold on the Bills. Think the Saints take care of business.
Week 9: New Orleans Saints at New York Jets – SUNDAY, NOV 03RD 1:00 PM ET
Saints Win. The Jets will win some games, but this isn’t one of them.
Week 10, Sunday Night Football: Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints – SUNDAY, NOV 10TH 8:30 PM ET
Cowboys Win. Dallas lives for primetime, and this is a chance for them to get their name on ESPN for a week if they win in a national game.
Week 11: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – SUNDAY, NOV 17TH 4:25 PM ET
49ers Win. I know it’s in New Orleans, but that’s not enough to keep the Niners from getting the win.
Week 12, Thursday Night Football: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – THURSDAY, NOV 21ST 8:25 PM ET
Falcons Win. Falcons won’t be swept by the Saints.
Week 13, Monday Night Football: New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks – MONDAY, DEC 02ND 8:40 PM ET
Seahawks Win. Traveling to Seattle is always, always tough. The bright lights of primetime only make the 12th man louder.
Week 14: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – SUNDAY, DEC 08TH 1:00 PM ET
Saints Win. Home game against an inferior opponent.
Week 15: New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams – SUNDAY, DEC 15TH 1:00 PM ET
Rams Win. I am worried about the Rams being pretty good this year, and I think this is a game they can win, hosting a battered and bruised Saints team late in the year.
Week 16: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – SUNDAY, DEC 22ND 1:00 PM ET
Panthers Win. The Panthers are going to win a few games this year, and the Saints are a victim to the surpisingly cold Charlotte December weather.
Week 17: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – SUNDAY, DEC 29TH 1:00 PM ET
Saints Win. I don’t think my Bucs have the fortitude to hold up to such a high pressure game, but it’s possible this game could go either way. Give the edge to the home team, though.
Final Record: 8-8
Be sure to give Leo a follow on Twitter @UTEPMiners. Also feel free to contact the Who Dat Dish staff on Twitter @whodatdish or on Facebook.