2023 Saints Record Predictions
We'll soon find out what the Saints are made of when they welcome Mike Vrabel's Titans to town to help kick off Week 1. All of the offseason moves, OTAs, mini camp, training camp, and preseason action has led us to this point. By now, you've seen tons of record predictions for the black and gold. We'll give you one more, as the Saints News Network team got together to weigh in with their thoughts.
Bob Rose (12-5)
Jun 13, 2023; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen gives instruction to cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) during minicamp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
They'll be NFC South champions. Saints coach Dennis Allen should be on a very hot seat if his squad turns in another disappointing performance. With this team's returning talent, offseason additions, and a favorable schedule, the Saints could very well contend for the NFC's top seed.
Ross Jackson (11-6)
Nov 20, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83) celebrates his touchdown catch with wide receiver Chris Olave (12) in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
I have jostled between 10-7 and 12-5 all offseason, so finally I will just decide to land in the middle. For a team that did not play its starting offensive line or intended starting secondary for a single snap in 2022 to finish 7-10, I have a hard time thinking the Saints will not improve in 2023. Not to mention having hopefully consistently presences at wideout and quarterback, something they have lacked these last few years. The Saints are in a weak division with a schedule that is expected to be winnable, they should be a double-digit playoff team this year. Anything less would be a massive disappointment.
Kyle T. Mosley (11-6)
Aug 13, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes to tight end Juwan Johnson (83) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans eagerly anticipates the 2023-24 NFL season with their new franchise quarterback, Derek Carr, leading a revamped offense. Head coach Dennis Allen, in his second year, is taking greater control of personnel moves and implementing his Saints football philosophy. Several of the 53-man roster decisions made by him were bold, while others were predictable and conservative.
The team's immediate impact must come from the offensive and defensive additions of RB Jamaal Williams, RB Kendre Miller, DT Bryan Bresee, DE Isaiah Foskey, DT Khalen Sanders, and DT Nathan Shepherd through free agency and the draft. New targets for Derek Carr include Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson, Rashid Shaheed, and Taysom Hill. After Alvin Kamara serves his suspension, Carr will have dangerous weapons on offense. DE Cam Jordan, LB Demario Davis, CB Marshon Lattimore, and S Tyrann Mathieu provide veteran leadership on defense. It's difficult to imagine New Orleans failing to win the NFC South title.
It's hard to envision a scenario where the New Orleans Saints do not clinch the NFC South championship.
There's a lot of positivity to echo here. Officially, I went 11-6 in my season preview. This Saints team is too talented to not pull out 10 wins, but they're going to have to not beat themselves this season. The floor is 10, while I believe they can go 13-4 at best. They're going to be tested early on with a lot more road games throughout their first six contests, but an argument could be made for them being better in that space than they have been at home.
The pressure is on New Orleans to deliver. Dennis Allen needs to shed the label of losing as a head coach, and he might just get his wish this season. Make no mistake about it, this locker room has one of the best feels to it that I've seen in years. We'll see if they can put together everything to show everyone that they're a legitimate contender.
