Saints Schedule: Way too early game-by-game predictions for 2022

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Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Week 12 @ 49ers (Nov. 27 — 3:25 CST)

The 49ers have also been a team that has given New Orleans fits in recent years and that’s why this road game against them scares me. The Niners are similar to the Saints with their playstyle, though, implementing a strong run game and putting together a rock-solid defense.

The reason I’m leaning toward a Saints victory here, however, is that Trey Lance is entering his first year as a starter (or at least that appears to be the plan) while Jameis Winston is more experienced. That experience could be the difference here, especially in a defensive-heavy game.

Prediction: Saints win 17-14 (7-5)

Week 13 @ Buccaneers (Dec. 5 — 7:15 CST) – Monday Night Football

The next matchup against the Buccaneers is late in the season and it’s on Monday night. The Saints have been no stranger to kicking the Bucs’ teeth in during primetime games but sadly, their regular-season winning streak against Tampa has to end sometime and this is when it comes to a close.

This is the time of the year where Brady’s teams clamp down and start clawing out close games and that’s what we’ll see in this Week 13 showdown. This loss could be costly down the stretch.

Prediction: Saints lose 20-17 (7-6)