2020 New Orleans Saints season

54th season in franchise history

2020 New Orleans Saints season
OwnerGayle Benson
General managerMickey Loomis
Head coachSean Payton
Offensive coordinatorPete Carmichael Jr.
Defensive coordinatorDennis Allen
Home fieldMercedes-Benz Superdome
Results
Record12–4
Division place1st NFC South
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Bears) 21–9
Lost Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Buccaneers) 20–30
Pro Bowlers
5
  • OT Terron Armstead
  • DE Cameron Jordan
  • RB Alvin Kamara
  • CB Marshon Lattimore
  • OG Andrus Peat
AP All-Pros
3
  • LB Demario Davis (2nd team)
  • RB Alvin Kamara (2nd team)
  • RT Ryan Ramczyk (2nd team)
Uniform

The 2020 season was the New Orleans Saints' 54th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 45th playing home games at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and their 14th under head coach Sean Payton. Although they failed to match their 13–3 records from 2018 and 2019, the Saints defended their NFC South title for the fourth consecutive year following a Week 16 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. After beating the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10, they won six straight games for the fourth consecutive season. With a Week 13 win over the Atlanta Falcons, the Saints clinched a franchise record fourth consecutive playoff appearance.[1] After Week 17 victory over the division rival, Carolina Panthers, the Saints became the first NFC South member to sweep the division in its history. During the Wildcard round against the Chicago Bears of the 2020–21 NFL playoffs, the Saints made history as one of the first two teams to air in a post-season football game on Nickelodeon, a primarily children-related network.[2] The Saints would defeat the Bears 21–9, advancing to the divisional round, where they were defeated by division rival and eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 30–20, despite having swept them in the regular season.

This season marked the end of the Drew Brees era in New Orleans as he would announce his retirement on March 14, 2021, after twenty seasons of playing in the NFL, fifteen of those with the Saints.[3][4]

Roster changes

Free agency

Unrestricted

Position Player 2020 team Date signed Contract
MLB Stephone Anthony Arizona Cardinals (PS) November 16, 2020 1 year $84k[5]
CB Eli Apple Carolina Panthers May 28, 2020 1 year, $3 million[6]
CB Johnson Bademosi New Orleans Saints April 23, 2020 1 year, $1.1875 million[7]
SS Vonn Bell Cincinnati Bengals March 25, 2020 3 years, $18 million[8]
QB Drew Brees New Orleans Saints March 17, 2020 2 years, $50 million[9]
QB Teddy Bridgewater Carolina Panthers March 17, 2020 3 years, $63 million[10]
WR Ted Ginn Jr. Chicago Bears April 30, 2020 1 year, $1.1875 million[11]
LB A. J. Klein Buffalo Bills March 16, 2020 3 years, $18 million[12]
OLB Josh Martin
G Patrick Omameh New Orleans Saints May 14, 2020 1 year, $1.1875 million[13]
G Andrus Peat New Orleans Saints March 20, 2020 5 years, $57.5 million[14]
DE Noah Spence New Orleans Saints March 23, 2020 1 year, $910k[15][16]
S D. J. Swearinger New Orleans Saints March 22, 2020 1 year, $1.1 million[17]
MLB Manti Te'o Chicago Bears (PS) October 20, 2020 1 year, $132k[18]
RB Dwayne Washington New Orleans Saints April 16, 2020 1 year, $1.0475 million[19]
CB P. J. Williams New Orleans Saints April 2, 2020 1 year, $2 million[20]

Restricted

Position Player 2020 team Date signed Contract
WR Austin Carr New Orleans Saints May 7, 2020 1 year, $825k[21]
CB Justin Hardee New Orleans Saints March 20, 2020 1 year, $1.5 million[22]
QB Taysom Hill New Orleans Saints March 16, 2020 Assigned 1st Round Tender, 1 year, $4.641 million[23]
C Cameron Tom New Orleans Saints April 9, 2020 1 year, $887.5k[24]

Exclusive Rights FA

Position Player 2020 team Date signed Contract
LB Colton Jumper
WR Keith Kirkwood Carolina Panthers March 19, 2020 1 year, $800k[25]

Signings

Position Player 2019 team Date signed Contract
S Malcolm Jenkins Philadelphia Eagles March 18, 2020 4 years, $32 million[26]
FB Michael Burton Washington Redskins March 18, 2020 1 year, $1.0475 million[27]
WR Emmanuel Sanders San Francisco 49ers March 20, 2020 2 years, $16 million[28][29]
DB Deatrick Nichols Houston Roughnecks (XFL) March 23, 2020 1 year, $675k[30]
QB Jameis Winston Tampa Bay Buccaneers April 28, 2020 1 year, $1.1 million[31]
DT Margus Hunt Indianapolis Colts April 30, 2020 1 year, $1.05 million[32]
RB Ty Montgomery New York Jets May 15, 2020 1 year, $1.0475 million[33]
OLB Anthony Chickillo Pittsburgh Steelers May 21, 2020 1 year, $1.0475 million[34]
T James Hurst Baltimore Ravens May 27, 2020 1 year, $1.0475 million[35]
OLB Nigel Bradham Philadelphia Eagles July 30, 2020 1 year, TBC[36]
WR Bennie Fowler New York Giants July 30, 2020 1 year, $910k[37]
TE Ethan Wolf Los Angeles Rams August 19, 2020 1 year, $610k[38]
CB Kemon Hall Minnesota Vikings August 25, 2020 1 year, $610k[39]
LB Wynton McManis Calgary Stampeders (CFL) August 28, 2020 1 year, $610k[40]
DE Anthony Lanier Kansas City Chiefs August 29, 2020 1 year, $825k[41]
DE T. J. Carter Arizona Cardinals August 29, 2020 1 year, $610k[42]
CB Ken Crawley Practice Squad October 12, 2020 1 year, $910k[43]
WR Tommylee Lewis Practice Squad October 31, 2020 1 year, $910k[44]
QB Trevor Siemian Tennessee Titans November 21, 2020 1 year, $910k[45]
G Patrick Omameh Las Vegas Raiders December 15, 2020 1 year, $1.05 million[13]
WR Jake Kumerow Buffalo Bills December 25, 2020 1 year, $750k[46]

Practice squad additions

Position Player Last team Date signed Contract
DE Anthony Zettel Minnesota Vikings September 19, 2020 1 year, $192k[47]
CB Grant Haley New York Giants September 20, 2020 1 year, $134.4k[48]
CB Ken Crawley Arizona Cardinals September 28, 2020 1 year, $168k[43]
WR Malik Henry Indianapolis Colts September 30, 2020 1 year, $117.6k[49]
WR Tommylee Lewis Carolina Panthers October 8, 2020 1 year, $156k[44]
DE Will Clarke Detroit Lions October 22, 2020 1 year, $132k[50]
DT Christian Ringo Cincinnati Bengals November 11, 2020 1 year, $96k[51]
DT Ryan Glasgow New England Patriots November 17, 2020 1 year, $84k[52]
WR Jake Lampman Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL) December 23, 2020 1 year, $16.8k[53]
LS John Denney Miami Dolphins January 11, 2021 1 year, TBC[54]
K Blair Walsh Atlanta Falcons January 11, 2021 1 year, TBC[55]

Released/waived

Position Player 2020 team Date released
G Larry Warford N/A (Opt-out) May 8, 2020[56]
TE Mitchell Loewen May 15, 2020[57]
WR Tim White May 28, 2020[58]
DE Gus Cumberlander August 2, 2020[59]
WR Maurice Harris August 2, 2020[60]
WR Krishawn Hogan Tennessee Titans August 2, 2020[61]
S Chris Johnson August 2, 2020[62]
WR Tommylee Lewis Carolina Panthers August 2, 2020[44]
G Adrian Magee August 2, 2020[63]
RB Taquan Mizzell New York Giants (PS) August 2, 2020[64]
CB Deatrick Nichols Miami Dolphins August 2, 2020[30]
FB Ricky Ortiz August 2, 2020[65]
DT Taylor Stallworth Indianapolis Colts August 3, 2020[66]
OLB Nigel Bradham Denver Broncos (PS) August 24, 2020[36]
CB Tino Ellis Miami Dolphins (PS) August 26, 2020[67]
OL Darrin Paulo Denver Broncos August 29, 2020[68]
LB Joe Bachie Philadelphia Eagles September 5, 2020[69]
WR Emmanuel Butler September 5, 2020[70]
WR Austin Carr Resigned September 5, 2020[21]
DE T. J. Carter September 5, 2020[42]
OLB Anthony Chickillo Denver Broncos September 5, 2020[34]
OLB Andrew Dowell Practice Squad September 5, 2020[71]
DT Mario Edwards Jr. Chicago Bears September 5, 2020[72]
WR Bennie Fowler Resigned September 5, 2020[37]
TE Garrett Griffin Resigned September 5, 2020[73]
CB Kemon Hall Practice Squad September 5, 2020[39]
WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey Practice Squad September 5, 2020[74]
DT Margus Hunt Resigned September 5, 2020[32]
WR Juwan Johnson Resigned September 5, 2020[75]
RB Tony Jones Practice Squad September 5, 2020[76]
LB Wynton McManis September 5, 2020[40]
G Patrick Omameh Las Vegas Raiders September 5, 2020[13]
OL Jordan Steckler New England Patriots (PS) September 5, 2020[77]
TE Tommy Stevens Practice Squad September 5, 2020[78]
OL Calvin Throckmorton Practice Squad September 5, 2020[79]
C Cameron Tom Practice Squad September 5, 2020[24]
CB Keith Washington Practice Squad September 5, 2020[80]
TE Ethan Wolf Practice Squad September 5, 2020[38]
DE Anthony Lanier September 11, 2020[41]
FS Saquan Hampton New York Jets September 14, 2020[81]
C Will Clapp Resigned September 26, 2020[82]
C Will Clapp Resigned October 8, 2020[82]
DT Margus Hunt Cincinnati Bengals October 12, 2020[32]
WR Tommylee Lewis Resigned November 3, 2020[44]
OLB Chase Hansen Practice Squad November 24, 2020[83]
TE Garrett Griffin Practice Squad December 19, 2020[73]
QB Trevor Siemian Practice Squad December 19, 2020[45]
WR Tommylee Lewis Practice Squad December 24, 2020[44]
G Patrick Omameh Kansas City Chiefs (PS) December 24, 2020[13]
WR Jake Kumerow Practice Squad January 9, 2021[46]
WR Austin Carr Practice Squad January 11, 2021[21]

Practice squad releases

Position Player 2020 team Date released
CB Kemon Hall Dallas Cowboys (PS) September 19, 2020[39]
WR Malik Henry October 10, 2020[49]
TE Tommy Stevens Carolina Panthers November 10, 2020[78]
DE Will Clarke November 17, 2020[50]
DT Christian Ringo January 11, 2021[51]
DE Anthony Zettel Practice Squad January 11, 2021[47]
LS John Denney Practice Squad January 13, 2021[54]
WR Jake Lampman January 13, 2021[53]
K Blair Walsh Practice Squad January 13, 2021[55]
WR Tommylee Lewis January 16, 2021[44]
DE Anthony Zettel January 16, 2021[47]

Contract extensions

Position Player Date signed Contract
DT David Onyemata March 16, 2020 3 years, $27 million[84]
LS Zach Wood March 16, 2020 4 years, $4.78 million[85]
CB Janoris Jenkins March 25, 2020 2 years, $16.75 million[86]
QB Taysom Hill April 26, 2020 2 years, $20.941 million[23]

Retirements

Position Player Date retired
FB Zach Line January 15, 2020

Player trades

Position Player From/to Date traded For
LB Kwon Alexander San Francisco 49ers November 2, 2020 Kiko Alonso, 2021 Conditional Fifth-round selection to 49ers
LB Kiko Alonso San Francisco 49ers November 2, 2020 Kwon Alexander, 2021 Conditional Fifth-round selection to 49ers

Draft

2020 New Orleans Saints Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 24 Cesar Ruiz C Michigan
3 74 Zack Baun LB Wisconsin
3 105 Adam Trautman TE Dayton
7 240 Tommy Stevens QB Mississippi State

Notes

  • The Saints traded their second-round selection (No. 56 overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for the Dolphins' 2019 second-round selection.
  • The Saints traded their seventh-round selection, along with their 2019 fourth-round selection to the New York Giants in exchange for cornerback Eli Apple.
  • The Saints traded their third-round selection (No. 88 overall) and their 2021 third-round selection to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the Browns' 2020 third-round selection (No. 74 overall) and the Browns' seventh-round selection (No. 244 overall).
  • The Saints traded their fourth-round selection (No. 130 overall), fifth-round selection (No. 169 overall), sixth-round selection (No. 203 overall) and their seventh-round selection (No. 244 overall) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the Vikings' 2020 third-round selection (No. 105 overall).
  • The Saints traded their 2021 sixth-round selection to the Houston Texans in exchange for the Texans' 2020 seventh-round selection (No. 240 overall).

Undrafted free agent signings

Position Player College Date signed Contract
LB Joe Bachie Michigan State April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.285 million[69]
WR Marquez Callaway Tennessee April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.295 million[87]
DE Gus Cumberlander Oregon April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.2865 million[59]
CB Tino Ellis Maryland April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.285 million[67]
P Blake Gillikin Penn State April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.285 million[88]
WR Juwan Johnson Oregon April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.295 million[75]
RB Tony Jones Notre Dame April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.285 million[76]
OL Darrin Paulo Utah April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.285 million[68]
DT Malcolm Roach Texas April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.295 million[89]
OL Jordan Steckler Northern Illinois April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.3 million[77]
OT Calvin Throckmorton Oregon April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.2975 million[79]
CB Keith Washington West Virginia April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.285 million[80]
G Adrian Magee LSU April 26, 2020 3 years, $2.285 million[63]

Staff

2020 New Orleans Saints staff

Front office

  • Owner – Gayle Benson
  • President – Dennis Lauscha
  • Executive vice president/general manager – Mickey Loomis
  • Senior vice president/chief operating officer – Ben Hales
  • Asst. general manager/college scouting director – Jeff Ireland
  • Vice president of football administration – Khai Harley
  • Director of operations – James Nagaoka
  • Director of pro scouting – Terry Fontenot

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator – Pete Carmichael
  • Quarterbacks – Joe Lombardi
  • Running backs – Joel Thomas
  • Wide receivers – Ronald Curry
  • Offensive line – Dan Roushar
  • Assistant offensive line – Brendan Nugent
  • Senior offensive assistant – Curtis Johnson
  • Offensive assistant – Declan Doyle
  • Assistant to the head coach/offensive assistant – Kevin Petry
  • Offensive assistant – DJ Williams
 Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Dennis Allen
  • Defensive line – Ryan Nielsen
  • Linebackers – Michael Hodges
  • Secondary – Aaron Glenn
  • Senior defensive assistant – Peter Giunta
  • Defensive assistant – Cory Robinson
  • Defensive assistant – Michael Wilhoite
  • Pass rush specialist – Brian Young

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Dan Dalrymple
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Charles Byrd
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Rob Wenning

Final roster

2020 New Orleans Saints final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 10 inactive, 16 practice squad (+1 exempt)

Preseason

The Saints' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[90]

Week Date Opponent Venue Result
1 August 14 at Los Angeles Rams SoFi Stadium Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2 August 23 at Pittsburgh Steelers Heinz Field
3 August 29 Houston Texans Mercedes-Benz Superdome
4 September 3 Miami Dolphins Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Regular season

Schedule

The Saints' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7.[90]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 34–23 1–0 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
2 September 21 at Las Vegas Raiders L 24–34 1–1 Allegiant Stadium Recap
3 September 27 Green Bay Packers L 30–37 1–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
4 October 4 at Detroit Lions W 35–29 2–2 Ford Field Recap
5 October 12 Los Angeles Chargers W 30–27 (OT) 3–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
6 Bye
7 October 25 Carolina Panthers W 27–24 4–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
8 November 1 at Chicago Bears W 26–23 (OT) 5–2 Soldier Field Recap
9 November 8 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 38–3 6–2 Raymond James Stadium Recap
10 November 15 San Francisco 49ers W 27–13 7–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
11 November 22 Atlanta Falcons W 24–9 8–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
12 November 29 at Denver Broncos W 31–3 9–2 Empower Field at Mile High Recap
13 December 6 at Atlanta Falcons W 21–16 10–2 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
14 December 13 at Philadelphia Eagles L 21–24 10–3 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
15 December 20 Kansas City Chiefs L 29–32 10–4 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
16 December 25 Minnesota Vikings W 52–33 11–4 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
17 January 3 at Carolina Panthers W 33–7 12–4 Bank of America Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week One: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 7 0 10623
Saints 0 17 71034

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

First quarter

  • TB – Tom Brady 2-yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 7:27. Buccaneers 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 4:53.

Second quarter

  • NO – Alvin Kamara 12-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 11:39. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 5:38.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 6-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 10:09. Saints 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 35 yards, 0:47.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 29-yard field goal, 0:44,. Saints 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 44 yards, 2:53.

Third quarter

  • NO – Janoris Jenkins 36-yard interception return (Wil Lutz kick), 13:13. Saints 24–7.
  • TB – O. J. Howard 9-yards pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 12:20. Saints 24–14. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:53.
  • TB – Ryan Succop 38-yards field goal, 2:22. Saints 24–17. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 3:54.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Emmanuel Sanders 5-yards pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 11:38. Saints 31–17. Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 2:25.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 21-yards field goal, 8:01. Saints 34–17. Drive: 7 plays, 15 yards, 3:37.
  • TB – Mike Evans 2-yards pass from Tom Brady (kick failed), 2:41. Saints 34–23. Drive: 11 plays, 90 yards, 3:18.

Top passers

  • TB – Tom Brady – 23/36, 239 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
  • NO – Drew Brees – 18/30, 160 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

  • TB – Ronald Jones – 17 rushes, 66 yards
  • NO – Latavius Murray – 15 rushes, 48 yards

Top receivers

With the win, the Saints began the year at 1–0 for the second year in a row.

Week 2: at Las Vegas Raiders

Week Two: New Orleans Saints at Las Vegas Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 10 7 0724
Raiders 0 17 71034

at Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada

Game information

First quarter

  • NO – Wil Lutz 31-yard field goal, 11:01. Saints 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 3:59.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 1-yard run (Will Litz kick), 3:51. Saints 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 4:07.

Second quarter

  • LV – Alec Ingold 3-yard pass from Derek Carr (Daniel Carlson kick), 8:55. Saints 10–7. Drive: 11 plays, 63 yards, 6:18.
  • NO – Jared Cook 6-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 5:22. Saints 17–7. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 3:33.
  • LV – Zay Jones 15-yard pass from Derek Carr (Daniel Carlson kick), 1:44. Saints 17–14. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:38.
  • LV – Daniel Carlson 38-yard field goal, 0:09. Tied 17–17. Drive: 8 plays, 31 yards, 0:39.

Third quarter

  • LV – Darren Waller 1-yard pass from Derek Carr (Daniel Carlson kick), 9:58. Raiders 24–17. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:02.

Fourth quarter

  • LV – Jalen Richard 20-yard run (Daniel Carlson kick), 7:43. Raiders 31–17. Drive: 10 plays, 89 yards, 4:34.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 3-yard run (Will Litz kick), 4:33. Raiders 31–24. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 3:10.
  • LV – Daniel Carlson 54-yard field goal, 1:08. Raiders 34–24. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:26.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

This was the first NFL game in Las Vegas or in the state of Nevada. With the loss, the Saints dropped to 1–1 on the season.

Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week Three: Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 3 10 141037
Saints 7 10 10330

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

First quarter

  • GB – Mason Crosby 52-yard field goal, 7:30. Packers 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 35 yards, 5:38.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 11-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 7:30. Saints 7–3. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 2:23.

Second quarter

  • GB – Mason Crosby 33-yard field goal, 14:12. Saints 7–6. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 5:55.
  • GB – Allen Lazard 5-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 10:32. Packers 13–7. Drive: 3 plays, 50 yards, 1:27.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 45-yard field goal, 4:28. Packers 13–10. Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards, 6:04.
  • NO – Emmanuel Sanders 10-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:06. Saints 17–13. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 2:34.

Third quarter

  • GB – Aaron Jones 1-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 12:58. Packers 20–17. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:02.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 35-yard field goal, 5:55. Tied 20–20. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 7:03.
  • GB – Marcedes Lewis 18-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 10:32. Packers 27–20. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:38.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 52-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:33. Tied 27–27. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:44.

Fourth quarter

  • GB – Mason Crosby 47-yard field goal, 8:47. Packers 30–27. Drive: 7 plays, 26 yards, 3:32.
  • GB – Robert Tonyan 1-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 2:00. Packers 37–27. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 4:36.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 34-yard field goal, 0:32. Packers 37–30. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 1:28.

Top passers

  • GB – Aaron Rodgers – 21/32, 283 yards, 3 TD
  • NO – Drew Brees – 29/36, 288 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

  • GB – Aaron Jones – 16 rushes, 69 yards, TD
  • NO – Latavius Murray – 12 rushes, 58 yards

Top receivers

  • GB – Allen Lazard – 6 receptions, 146 yards, TD
  • NO – Alvin Kamara – 13 receptions, 139 yards, 2 TD

With the tough loss, the Saints dropped to 1–2 for the first time since 2017. This also marks their first loss to the Packers since the 2012 season.

Week 4: at Detroit Lions

Week Four: New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 21 7035
Lions 14 0 7829

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Shawn Smith
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • NO – Alvin Kamara 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 10:10. Tied 14–14. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:42.
  • NO – Tre'Quan Smith 2-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 3:03. Saints 21–14. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 5:26.
  • NO – Tre'Quan Smith 20-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:44. Saints 28–14. Drive: 4 plays, 49 yards, 0:59.

Third quarter

  • NO – Latavius Murray 6-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 8:52. Saints 35–14. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 6:08.
  • DET – T. J. Hockenson 1-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 4:19. Saints 35–21. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:33.

Fourth quarter

  • DET – Adrian Peterson 5-yard run (Matthew Stafford–T. J. Hockenson pass), 3:40. Saints 35–29. Drive: 12 plays, 43 yards, 4:21.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

With this win against Detroit, the Saints improve to 2–2.

Week 5: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Week Five: Los Angeles Chargers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Chargers 6 14 07027
Saints 3 7 314330

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: October 12
  • Game time: 7:15 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 749
  • Referee: Clay Martin
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters and John Parry
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • LAC – Keenan Allen 17-yard pass from Justin Herbert (kick failed), 6:26. Chargers 6–0. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:33.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 48-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 6–3. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 2:41.

Second quarter

  • LAC – Mike Williams 4-yard pass from Justin Herbert (Michael Badgley kick), 11:01. Chargers 13–3. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:59.
  • LAC – Hunter Henry 4-yard pass from Justin Herbert (Michael Badgley kick), 4:25. Chargers 20–3. Drive: 3 plays, 1 yard, 1:23.
  • NO – Drew Brees 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 0:14. Chargers 20–10. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 1:45.

Third quarter

  • NO – Wil Lutz 53-yard field goal, 4:52. Chargers 20–13. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 3:25.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Jared Cook 41-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 11:21. Tied 20–20. Drive: 10 plays, 89 yards, 5:02.
  • LAC – Mike Williams 64-yard pass from Justin Herbert (Michael Badgley kick), 3:40. Chargers 27–20. Drive: 4 plays, 78 yards, 2:02.
  • NO – Taysom Hill 9-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 0:52. Tied 27–27. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 2:48.

Overtime

  • NO – Wil Lutz 36-yard field goal, 5:08. Saints 30–27. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:52.

Top passers

Top receivers

  • LAC – Justin Jackson – 15 rushes, 71 yards
  • NO – Alvin Kamara – 11 rushes, 45 yards

Top rushers

  • LAC – Mike Williams – 5 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TD
  • NO – Emmanuel Sanders – 12 receptions, 122 yards

Drew Brees faced his former team for the fourth time in his career. A potential game-winning 50-yard field goal by Chargers kicker Michael Badgley hit the crossbar instead, sending the game into overtime. With 5:08 left in the overtime period, Wil Lutz kicked a 36-yard field goal to take a 30–27 lead. But the night belonged to Marshon Lattimore, who stopped Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams on fourth down to seal the victory for New Orleans. They won despite Michael Thomas being out for a fourth straight game. However, this time, it was due to suspension after an altercation with Chauncey Gardner-Johnson during practice.[91]

Week 7: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week Seven: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 14 7024
Saints 7 14 3327

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

First quarter

  • NO – Jared Cook 4-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 6:34. Saints 7–0. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 8:26.
  • CAR – Joey Slye 43-yard field goal, 1:54. Saints 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 4:40.

Second quarter

  • NO – Drew Brees 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:13. Saints 14–3. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 4:41.
  • CAR – D. J. Moore 74-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Joey Slye kick), 10:56. Saints 14–10. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 1:17.
  • CAR – D. J. Moore 7-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Joey Slye kick), 1:37. Panthers 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 5:21.
  • NO – Deonte Harris 4-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:02. Saints 21–17. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 1:35.

Third quarter

  • NO – Wil Lutz 41-yard field goal, 4:24. Saints 24–17. Drive: 13 plays, 58 yards, 6:53.
  • CAR – Curtis Samuel 5-yard run (Joey Slye kick), 0:08. Tied 24–24. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:16.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Wil Lutz 43-yard field goal, 7:55. Saints 27–24. Drive: 13 plays, 50 yards, 7:13.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • CAR – Mike Davis – 7 rushes, 12 yards
  • NO – Alvin Kamara – 14 rushes, 83 yards

Top receivers

The Saints meet the Panthers and Teddy Bridgewater in this game. Bridgewater accidentally fell into the Saints sideline, but he reunited with his old friend Drew Brees who did the quarterback sneak earlier. The Saints were still able to beat the Panthers by 3.

Week 8: at Chicago Bears

Week Eight: New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Saints 3 7 67326
Bears 3 10 010023

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 40 °F (4 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • NO – Wil Lutz 38-yard field goal, 8:13. Saints 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 55 yards, 6:47.
  • CHI – Cairo Santos 44-yard field goal, 1:13. Tied 3–3. Drive: 14 plays, 49 yards, 7:00.

Second quarter

  • CHI – Allen Robinson 24-yard pass from Nick Foles (Cairo Santos kick), 8:10. Bears 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 2:28.
  • CHI – Cairo Santos 29-yard field goal, 1:39. Bears 13–3. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:13.
  • NO – Jared Cook 16-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:03. Bears 13–10. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 1:36.

Third quarter

  • NO – Wil Lutz 27-yard field goal, 9:19. Tied 13–13. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:32.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 39-yard field goal, 5:04. Saints 16–13. Drive: 8 plays, 19 yards, 3:30.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Taysom Hill 20-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:57. Saints 23–13. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 4:14.
  • CHI – Darnell Mooney 3-yard pass from Nick Foles (Cairo Santos kick), 3:32. Saints 23–20. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:25.
  • CHI – Cairo Santos 51-yard field goal, 0:13. Tied 23–23. Drive: 12 plays, 35 yards, 1:38.

Overtime

  • NO – Wil Lutz 35-yard field goal, 1:36. Saints 26–23. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 2:12.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • NO – Alvin Kamara – 12 rushes, 67 yards
  • CHI – David Montgomery – 21 rushes, 89 yards

Top receivers

The Saints meet Chicago again in the regular season at Soldier Field. During the 3rd Quarter, a fight broke out between C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Javon Wims, resulting in flags on the play. This also resulted in Wims getting ejected from the game. Again, the Saints go into overtime and won with a 35-yard field goal, improving them to 5-2.

Week 9: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Nine: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 14 17 0738
Buccaneers 0 0 033

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST/7:20 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 77 °F (25 °C)
  • Game attendance: 15,740
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya and Terry McAulay
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • NO – Tre'Quan Smith 14-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:34. Saints 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 4:32.
  • NO – Adam Trautman 7-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:00. Saints 14–0. Drive: 5 plays, 35 yards, 2:38.

Second quarter

  • NO – Emmanuel Sanders 12-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 11:44. Saints 21–0. Drive: 5 plays, 50 yards, 2:23.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 8:45. Saints 28–0. Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 2:12.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 36-yard field goal, 1:49. Saints 31–0. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 3:08.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Josh Hill 3-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:07. Saints 38–0. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 6:50.
  • TB – Ryan Succop 48-yard field goal, 5:52. Saints 38–3. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 3:15.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • NO – Michael Thomas – 5 receptions, 51 yards
  • TB – Mike Evans – 4 receptions, 64 yards

The Saints visit Tom Brady and the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Saints scored touchdowns and field goals. This includes those turnovers notched by David Onyemata and Marcus Williams. The Saints beat their rivals by 35 points, marking the second straight season to sweep them in the NFC South division.

Week 10: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week Ten: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
49ers 7 3 0313
Saints 0 17 01027

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • SF – Robbie Gould 32-yard field goal, 14:56. 49ers 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 35 yards, 4:44.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 49-yard field goal, 13:48. 49ers 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, -6 yards, 1:08.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 2-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 6:48. Tied 10–10. Drive: 4 plays, 21 yards, 2:33.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 3-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 1:15. Saints 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 0:35.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Wil Lutz 23-yard field goal, 12:15. Saints 20–10. Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 6:06.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 7:29. Saints 27–10. Drive: 3 plays, 22 yards, 1:30.
  • SF – Robbie Gould 40-yard field goal, 5:54. Saints 27–13. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 1:35.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Drew Brees suffered a collapsed lung and broken ribs. He would be out until Week 15 against the Chiefs.[92] Despite Brees being injured and sidelined, the Saints held on with the win over the 49ers. It also marked their first victory over San Francisco since the 2016 season.

Week 11: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week Eleven: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 3 6 009
Saints 3 7 7724

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 28-yard field goal, 11:21. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:39.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 22-yard field goal, 2:47. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 4:30.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 51-yard field goal, 13:56. Falcons 6–3. Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 3:51.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 52-yard field goal, 4:31. Falcons 9–3. Drive: 8 plays, 36 yards, 2:54.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 3-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 1:46. Saints 10–9. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:45.

Third quarter

  • NO – Taysom Hill 2-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 9:11. Saints 17–9. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:49.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Taysom Hill 10-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:41. Saints 24–9. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 4:00.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 19/37, 232 yards, 2 INT
  • NO – Taysom Hill – 18/23, 233 yards

Top rushers

  • ATL – Todd Gurley – 8 rushes, 26 yards
  • NO – Taysom Hill – 10 rushes, 51 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • ATL – Calvin Ridley – 5 receptions, 90 yards
  • NO – Michael Thomas – 9 receptions, 104 yards

Taysom Hill made his first start with Drew Brees sidelined with a rib injury.[93] The Saints would defeat the Falcons by 15 points.

Week 12: at Denver Broncos

Week Twelve: New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 0 17 7731
Broncos 0 0 303

at Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST/2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: Clear, 38 °F (3 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Lindsay Czarniak
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Second quarter

  • NO – Taysom Hill 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 10:19. Saints 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 74 yards, 8:01.
  • NO – Taysom Hill 2-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 1:03. Saints 14–0. Drive: 5 plays, 13 yards, 1:19.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 40-yard field goal, 0:00. Saints 17–0. Drive: 2 plays, 19 yards, 0:12.

Third quarter

  • DEN – Brandon McManus 58-yard field goal, 6:56. Saints 17–3. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 2:07.
  • NO – Latavius Murray 36-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 2:14. Saints 24–3. Drive: 8 plays, 82 yards, 4:42.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Latavius Murray 8-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 6:03. Saints 31–3. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 6:54.

Top passers

  • NO – Taysom Hill – 9/16, 78 yards, INT
  • DEN – Kendall Hinton – 1/9, 13 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • NO – Latavius Murray – 19 rushes, 124 yards, 2 TD
  • DEN – Royce Freeman – 8 rushes, 50 yards

Top receivers

  • NO – Michael Thomas – 4 receptions, 50 yards
  • DEN – Noah Fant – 1 reception, 13 yards

This was an easy win due to the fact Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles were all ineligible to play following Jeff Driskel testing positive for COVID-19 less than 24 hours before the game, which meant the Broncos named practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton, who played QB at Wake Forest, as starting quarterback for the game.[94] This was also the Saints' first victory over the Broncos since the 1994 season, which also marks their first road game win and Sean Payton's first win over Denver.

Week 13: at Atlanta Falcons

Week Thirteen: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 7 7021
Falcons 3 6 0716

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: December 6
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 8,713
  • Referee: Adrian Hill
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 30-yard field goal, 4:51. Saints 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 2:49.
  • NO – Jared Cook 11-yard pass from Taysom Hill (Wil Lutz kick), 1:45. Saints 14–6. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:06.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 28-yard field goal, 0:00. Saints 14–9. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 1:45.

Third quarter

  • NO – Alvin Kamara 11-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 9:01. Saints 21–9. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:59.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Russell Gage 10-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 7:43. Saints 21–16. Drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 3:26.

Top passers

  • NO – Taysom Hill – 27/37, 232 yards, 2 TD
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 19/39, 273 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • NO – Alvin Kamara – 15 rushes, 88 yards, TD
  • ATL – Ito Smith – 8 rushes, 36 yards

Top receivers

  • NO – Michael Thomas – 9 receptions, 105 yards
  • ATL – Calvin Ridley – 5 receptions, 108 yards

Taysom Hill threw his first NFL touchdown pass in the first quarter on a 15-yard pass to receiver Tre'Quan Smith.[95] In the end, Matt Ryan tried to throw a game-winning Hail Mary, but the Saints defense stepped up and made the ball drop to the ground. This marked their first sweep against Atlanta since the 2018 season.

Week 14: at Philadelphia Eagles

Week Fourteen: New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 0 0 14721
Eagles 0 17 0724

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: December 13
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Clear, 57 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Second quarter

  • PHI – Alshon Jeffery 15-yard pass from Jalen Hurts (Jake Elliott kick), 13:25. Eagles 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:33.
  • PHI – Jake Elliott 44-yard field goal, 6:05. Eagles 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 0:52.
  • PHI – Miles Sanders 82-yard run (Jake Elliott kick), 1:35. Eagles 17–0. Drive: 4 plays, 96 yards, 0:38.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • PHI – Miles Sanders 1-yard run (Jake Elliott kick), 6:22. Eagles 24–14. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 3:27.
  • NO – Jared Cook 20-yard pass from Taysom Hill (Wil Lutz kick), 1:24. Eagles 24-21. Drive: 3 plays, 51 yards, 0:18.

Top passers

  • NO – Taysom Hill – 28/38, 291 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • PHI – Jalen Hurts – 17/30, 167 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • NO – Alvin Kamara – 11 rushes, 50 yards, TD
  • PHI – Miles Sanders – 14 rushes, 115 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • NO – Michael Thomas – 8 receptions, 84 yards
  • PHI – Jalen Reagor – 2 receptions, 46 yards

The Saints nine-game winning streak came to a halt. This also became the first time since the 2015 season to be defeated by the Eagles.

Week 15: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week Fifteen: Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 7 7 71132
Saints 0 9 61429

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • KC – Travis Kelce 1-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker kick), 14:58. Chiefs 14–0. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:01.
  • NO – Taysom Hill 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 10:21. Chiefs 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 2:40.
  • NO – Demarcus Robinson fumble forced by Craig Robertson out of bounds in end zone for a Safety, 0:03. Chiefs 14–9.

Third quarter

  • NO – Latavius Murray 24-yard pass from Drew Brees (pass failed), 13:16. Saints 15–14. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:44.
  • KC – Mecole Hardman 5-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker kick), 8:23. Chiefs 21–15. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:53.

Fourth quarter

  • KC – Le'Veon Bell 12-yard run (Patrick Mahomes-Travis Kelce pass), 13:44. Chiefs 29–15. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 4:44.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 14-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:43. Chiefs 29–22. Drive: 3 plays, 25 yards, 1:13.
  • KC – Harrison Butker 22-yard field goal, 4:18. Chiefs 32–22. Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 5:25.
  • NO – Lil'Jordan Humphrey 17-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 2:06. Chiefs 32–29. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:12.

Top passers

  • KC – Patrick Mahomes – 26/47, 254 yards, 3 TD
  • NO – Drew Brees – 15/34, 234 yards, 3 TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • KC – Travis Kelce – 8 receptions, 68 yards, TD
  • NO – Emmanuel Sanders – 4 receptions, 76 yards

With the Chiefs being the defending Super Bowl champions, the Saints were unable to beat them. Cameron Jordan became the first Saints player since Brodrick Bunkley (2012), Steve Gleason (2004), and Kyle Turley (2001) to be ejected from the game.

Week 16: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Christmas Day games

Week Sixteen: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 7 13633
Saints 14 10 72152

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: December 25
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 3,000
  • Referee: Adrian Hill
  • TV announcers (Fox/NFLN/Amazon Prime Video): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, Kristina Pink and Mike Pereira
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • NO – Alvin Kamara 40-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:11. Saints 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:49.
  • MIN – Dalvin Cook 15-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 8:46. Tied 7–7. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:25.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 5:20. Saints 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:36.

Second quarter

  • NO – Wil Lutz 30-yard field goal, 14:12. Saints 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 84 yards, 4:36.
  • MIN – Mike Boone 4-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 10:14. Saints 17–14. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:58.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 5-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 0:38. Saints 24–14. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 2:37.

Third quarter

  • MIN – Irv Smith Jr. 2-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (kick failed), 9:41. Saints 24–20. Drive: 3 plays, 18 yards, 1:12.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 6-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 4:38. Saints 31–20. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 5:03.
  • MIN – Irv Smith Jr. 4-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 0:22. Saints 31–27. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:16.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Alvin Kamara 7-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:01. Saints 38–27. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 3:21.
  • NO – Taysom Hill 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 4:00. Saints 45–27. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 6:22.
  • MIN – Adam Thielen 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (pass failed), 2:10. Saints 45–33. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 1:50.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 3-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 1:50. Saints 52–33. Drive: 3 plays, 48 yards, 0:20.

Top passers

  • MIN – Kirk Cousins – 27/41, 291 yards, 3 TD
  • NO – Drew Brees – 19/26, 311 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • MIN – Dalvin Cook – 15 rushes, 73 yards, TD
  • NO – Alvin Kamara – 22 rushes, 155 yards, 6 TD

Top receivers

  • MIN – Adam Thielen – 8 receptions, 97 yards, TD
  • NO – Emmanuel Sanders – 4 receptions, 83 yards

The Saints clinched their fourth consecutive division title as Alvin Kamara rushed for six touchdowns, tying a 91-year-old NFL record set by Hall of fame fullback Ernie Nevers of the Chicago Cardinals.[96]

Week 17: at Carolina Panthers

Week Seventeen: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 9 10733
Panthers 7 0 007

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: January 3, 2021
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 1,500
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Lindsay Czarniak
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • NO – Jared Cook 18-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:04. Saints 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 4:24.
  • CAR – Rodney Smith 1-yard run (Joey Slye kick), 1:40. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 4:10.

Second quarter

  • NO – Emmanuel Sanders 8-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick failed), 8:12. Saints 13–7. Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 2:25.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 33-yard field goal, 0:00. Saints 16–7. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 2:47.

Third quarter

  • NO – Wil Lutz 48-yard field goal, 11:49. Saints 19–7. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 3:11.
  • NO – Taysom Hill 3-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 4:56. Saints 26–7. Drive: 3 plays, 24 yards, 1:06.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Austin Carr 11-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 14:55. Saints 33–7. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 4:27.

Top passers

  • NO – Drew Brees – 22/32, 201 yards, 3 TD
  • CAR – Teddy Bridgewater – 13/23, 176 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • NO – Ty Montgomery – 18 rushes, 105 yards
  • CAR – Rodney Smith – 10 rushes, 40 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • NO – Emmanuel Sanders – 9 receptions, 63 yards, TD
  • CAR – Curtis Samuel – 7 receptions, 118 yards

The Saints, not only beat the Panthers again, but they also became the first team in the NFC South to sweep their division rivals.

Clay Martin was originally going to officiate this game, but he was hospitalized for COVID-19. Adrian Hill was also unable to officiate this game because he had another game to be in. John Hussey became the referee for this game.

Standings

Division

NFC South
  • view
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 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) New Orleans Saints 12 4 0 .750 6–0 10–2 482 337 W2
(5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 492 355 W4
Carolina Panthers 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 350 402 L1
Atlanta Falcons 4 12 0 .250 1–5 2–10 396 414 L5

Conference

NFC
  • v
  • t
  • e
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 Green Bay Packers North 13 3 0 .813 5–1 10–2 .428 .387 W6
2[a] New Orleans Saints South 12 4 0 .750 6–0 10–2 .459 .406 W2
3[a] Seattle Seahawks West 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 .447 .404 W4
4 Washington Football Team East 7 9 0 .438 4–2 5–7 .459 .388 W1
Wild cards
5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 .488 .392 W4
6 Los Angeles Rams West 10 6 0 .625 3–3 9–3 .494 .484 W1
7[b] Chicago Bears North 8 8 0 .500 2–4 6–6 .488 .336 L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[b] Arizona Cardinals West 8 8 0 .500 2–4 6–6 .475 .441 L2
9 Minnesota Vikings North 7 9 0 .438 4–2 5–7 .504 .366 W1
10[c] San Francisco 49ers West 6 10 0 .375 3–3 4–8 .549 .448 L1
11[c][d] New York Giants East 6 10 0 .375 4–2 5–7 .502 .427 W1
12[d] Dallas Cowboys East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 5–7 .471 .333 L1
13[e] Carolina Panthers South 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .531 .388 L1
14[e] Detroit Lions North 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .508 .350 L4
15 Philadelphia Eagles East 4 11 1 .281 2–4 4–8 .537 .469 L3
16 Atlanta Falcons South 4 12 0 .250 1–5 2–10 .551 .391 L5
Tiebreakers[f]
  1. ^ a b New Orleans finished ahead of Seattle based on conference record.
  2. ^ a b Chicago finished and clinched the 7th and final playoff spot ahead of Arizona based on better win percentage in common games (against Detroit, the NY Giants, Carolina, and the LA Rams, Chicago finished 3–2, while Arizona finished 1–4).
  3. ^ a b San Francisco finished ahead of the NY Giants based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Dallas (see below).
  4. ^ a b NY Giants won tiebreaker over Dallas based on division record.
  5. ^ a b Carolina finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
  6. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

Postseason

Schedule

Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card January 10, 2021 Chicago Bears (7) W 21–9 1–0 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
Divisional January 17, 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5) L 20–30 1–1 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap

Game summaries

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (7) Chicago Bears

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: (7) Chicago Bears at (2) New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 3 069
Saints 7 0 7721

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

First quarter

  • Michael Thomas 11–yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 5:09. Saints 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 4:17.

Second quarter

  • Cairo Santos 36–yard field goal, 8:06. Saints 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 6 yards, 3:24.

Third quarter

  • Latavius Murray 6–yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 4:08. Saints 14–3. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 7:29.

Fourth quarter

Top passers

Top rushers

  • CHI – David Montgomery – 12 rushes, 31 yards
  • NO – Alvin Kamara – 23 rushes, 99 yards, TD

Top receivers

For the first time since the 2006 season, the Saints meet the Bears in the playoffs. It also marked their first victory against Chicago in the playoffs, with the Bears having won the 1990 Wild Card game and the 2006 NFC Championship. It was primarily due to the Saints dominating on both sides of the ball for all four quarters. During a 4th down play, Alex Kemp got confused by misreading Cordarrelle Patterson's uniform number, making Patterson curse on the microphone. Anthony Miller threw a punch at Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, resulting in both players getting offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, thus an ejection for Miller. This was not only aired on CBS, it was also the first game to be aired on Nickelodeon.

NFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. (5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC Divisional Playoffs: (5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at (2) New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 13 71030
Saints 6 7 7020

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

First quarter

  • NO – Wil Lutz 23–yard field goal, 11:30. Saints 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 1:48.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 42–yard field goal, 4:39. Saints 6–0. Drive: 12 plays, 46 yards, 5:07.

Second quarter

  • TB – Ryan Succop 26–yard field goal, 12:57. Saints 6–3. Drive: 15 plays, 67 yards, 6:42.
  • TB – Mike Evans 3–yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 11:16. Buccaneers 10–6. Drive: 1 play, 3 yards, 0:04.
  • NO – Tre'Quan Smith 56–yard pass from Jameis Winston (Wil Lutz kick), 8:08. Saints 13–10. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:08.
  • TB – Ryan Succop 37–yard field goal, 0:00. Tied 13–13. Drive: 13 plays, 63 yards, 2:28.

Third quarter

  • NO – Tre'Quan Smith 16–yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:43. Saints 20–13. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:17.
  • TB – Leonard Fournette 6–yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 2:22. Tied 20–20. Drive: 5 plays, 40 yards, 2:08.

Fourth quarter

  • TB – Ryan Succop 36–yard field goal, 9:52. Buccaneers 23–20. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 5:52.
  • TB – Tom Brady 1–yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 4:57. Buccaneers 30–20. Drive: 4 plays, 20 yards, 2:11.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Even though the Saints swept them in the regular season, they would meet the Buccaneers in the playoffs. This was Drew Brees' last game and the Saints would lose to Tom Brady. Jared Cook would fumble at the goal line after catching a pass. In this game, Alvin Kamara lined up at quarterback, flipped it to Emmanuel Sanders, and then to Jameis Winston, who threw a 56-yard touchdown which was paused due to an accidental flag thrown by the officials, which referee Shawn Hochuli acknowledged that James Hurst checked in as eligible and lined up at the end of the line of scrimmage, thus calling back the flag to reward the Saints a score.

References

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External links

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New Orleans Saints
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