There’s plenty of optimism surrounding the New Orleans Saints after entering the 2026 season after the team made several key additions in free agency and the NFL Draft. Combined with a strong finish last season and confidence in franchise quarterback Tyler Shough, expectations are rising for New Orleans heading into the year.
Even with the excitement surrounding the team, the oddsmakers aren’t fully buying into the hype just yet. The Saints enter the 2026 season as underdogs in 12 out of their 17 games, with their over/under win total currently set at 7.5. Even more telling, all five games in which they’re favored come at home against teams that finished below .500 last season, showing sports-books still have questions about New Orleans despite the growing optimism around the franchise.
While those projections may not sound overly encouraging, they represent a significant jump from where they stood a year ago. Entering last offseason, the Saints were viewed as underdogs in all but one matchup, and their projected win total was set at just 3.5.
New Orleans Saints moving in right direction despite modest 2026 win total
The Saints closed last season on a strong note, giving the organization momentum entering 2026. Combined with several key additions in free agency and the draft, it’s a major reason why the odds makers significantly increased both the number of games New Orleans is favored in and their projected win total.
That jump in expectations is a clear sign the Saints are viewed as a team heading into the right direction. A year ago, New Orleans the season with far lower expectations, but the way the team finished the year along with its aggressive offseason approach has changed the perception surrounding the franchise.
The Saints still have plenty to prove, but the increase in their projected win total and favored games shows there is growing belief they can take another step forward in 2026. Of their talent continues to develop and the roster additions live up to expectations, New Orleans could end up proving the sports-books wrong this season.
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