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3 trap games on 2021 schedule that Saints can’t afford to lose

By Leigh Oleszczak

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 21: Cornerback P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints and teammates, safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson #22 and outside linebacker Demario Davis #56, celebrate after Williams recovered a fumble by running back Jalen Richard #30 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of the NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on September 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Saints 34-24. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 21: Cornerback P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints and teammates, safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson #22 and outside linebacker Demario Davis #56, celebrate after Williams recovered a fumble by running back Jalen Richard #30 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of the NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on September 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Saints 34-24. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Duke Riley #50 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a sack against the New Orleans Saints (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Duke Riley #50 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a sack against the New Orleans Saints (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

The Saints have a favorable schedule in 2021 but that doesn’t mean they’ll be the same team we’re used to seeing. A lot of that is because Drew Brees has retired and now New Orleans will be rolling with either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill at quarterback after 15 years with Brees under center.

That being said, the Saints being given five primetime games is an indicator that the league believes they’ll be competitive this year. And why wouldn’t they be? Sure, Brees is off to enjoy the spoils of retirement but the Saints fared well without him when he missed time due to injuries and they’ll have several key players returning this year.

I mentioned previously how the schedule isn’t intimidating but there are some games that the Saints could easily look over and, as a result, find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture. These are often referred to as “trap games” because the opponent is weaker and maybe a much tougher opponent is on the schedule the following week.

There are three notable trap games on New Orleans’ schedule. Let’s take a look at them.

Trap Games on Saints 2021 Schedule – No. 3: at Philadelphia Eagles

The Saints head to Philadelphia in Week 11 for a showdown with the Eagles in a game they have to win. The Eagles are in an interesting spot right now, as they traded Carson Wentz over the offseason and fired Doug Pederson. Jalen Hurts started against the Saints last year and well, it didn’t go well for New Orleans. The Saints lost a winnable game 24-21 and it was a costly loss, to say the least.

This game was Hurts’ first NFL start and he got the job done, rushing for over 100 yards and throwing a touchdown pass as well. The Saints got demolished on the ground in this game and it was a frustrating loss to take late in the year and definitely hurt their playoff seeding.

It’ll be a similar situation this year with the Saints facing the Eagles late in the year. It’s sandwiched between two difficult games with the matchup against the Titans occurring in Week 10 and the Thanksgiving night showdown against the Bills following the trip to Philadelphia.

The Saints could look right past their matchup in Philly in preparation for that Buffalo battle and that’s something they can’t afford to do.

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