Sean Payton and the Broncos Among Most Anticipated Saints Opponents Next Season
The NFL officially announced every team's opponents going into next season on Friday, something we knew about as soon as the year ended for New Orleans and we actually saw the team announce it on the same day. Dennis Allen and the Saints are going to have their work cut out for them with a harder strength of schedule featuring six playoff teams that don't include the Bucs in 2024.
We won't get the schedule for over four months, but based on the lineup, here's the most anticipated opponents for the black and gold going into a season where they have to produce at all costs.
Top Anticipated Saints Opponents For 2024
Dec 31, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
HOME: NFC South, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, NFC West (Los Angeles Rams), AFC North (Cleveland Browns)
AWAY: NFC South, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, NFC North (Green Bay Packers)
SEAN PAYTON AND THE BRONCOS IN THE DOME
It's probably going to be one of, if not the most circled game on Saints fans schedules. Denver comes to town for the first time since 2016, which produced quite the controversial finish in the Superdome. Sean Payton makes his return to New Orleans after stepping down nearly two years ago. The Broncos have quite a Saints flavor to them, so it'll be a homecoming of sorts for a lot of players and coaches. No matter when they play on the schedule, this should be a primetime matchup.
DEREK CARR VS. HIS FORMER SQUAD
The Raiders will also be coming to New Orleans again, as they were just at the Superdome in 2022 due to the extra game added to the NFL's schedule. This time will presumably see Derek Carr looking to get some revenge against the team who went in a direction from him after nine seasons. It makes for a nice storyline leading up to the game and will be one to look for when the schedule drops in mid-to-late May.
LONE STAR STATE OF MIND
Saints fans always travel well when they take on the Cowboys in Dallas and vice versa. It's a quick flight or not too bad of a drive for anyone in Louisiana. New Orleans will go up to 'Jerry World' for the first time since 2018, and any time you play against them it's sure to draw a ton of eyes. It wouldn't be that surprising to see this as a 'Game of the Week' at the very least.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
- Mahomes and the Chiefs at Arrowhead - The last time New Orleans went to Arrowhead to play the Chiefs, they had a disappointing finish due to Nick Fairley taking a boneheaded penalty. Kansas City has had the Saints' number in the past few matchups, and the Saints will be looking to change that. Let's also not forget Derek Carr's familiarity playing there.
- Back at Lambeau - Things were going according to plan until they weren't against the Packers in Week 3, but the Saints blew a 17-point lead in the final quarter, the final 11 minutes to be exact and that game ended up biting them in the rear end when it came to the postseason. Green Bay shocked a lot of people in a year they weren't expected to contend, but they got the last laugh.
- McVay vs. Allen, Part Deux - The Rams put on a masterclass for the Saints defense on Thursday Night Football, as Sean McVay got the best of Dennis Allen in a big way. Their offense has some exciting elements to it and they'll surely put a stress test on the Saints in the Dome.
