Predicting Saints 2025 Wins by Schedule

Zak Drapeau
Aug 18
6 min read

by Zak Drapeau 8/18/2025 Sportz Nation

Team Overview

An early favorite for the #1 draft pick come April, the Saints will be in Year 1 of the Kellen Moore era and likely in the first of a two or three year-rebuild to turn this roster around.

The Saints drafted Tyler Shough out of Louisville this season as a good-looking pocket passer Quarterback with quick mechanics but truth be told probably wasted the draft pick. Without any real top-end talent and with a poor roster around him, Shough will likely be out of town in three years and may even be replaced by a #1 pick next season...

The Saints roster has a few bright spots though, particularly the O-line and secondary where the team has drafted very well over the past few years and will combine that youth with some selective veteran presence and actually have a middle-to-Top-15 unit for both groups. On the O-line, Ruiz, McCoy and Fuaga are all very young and talented and will be joined by #9 overall pick Kelvin Banks this season. In the secondary, the Saints may have lose Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo and Tyrann Mathieu since last season but have brought in Justin Reid and Julian Blackmon to pair with Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alonte Taylor for some well-rounded building blocks.

The Saints salary cap was a huge problem that Moore had to adjust to, taking over a team $30 Million in the red. After the Cap was raised this off season and strategic moves were made the team is finally back in the green but with even a weaker roster than before. The bottom line is this rebuild will be a long one and Saints fans should be ready for a few seasons of misery. But how will this season go specifically? Will the Saints tank for Arch Manning if the young gun declares or will Tyler Shough shock the world? Lets find out, game-by-game.

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Week 1: vs Cardinals

Starting off at home is always preferable but the Cardinals team that will meet them their is a lot better than last year. A very7 well-rounded team, Kyler and Connor may poke some serious holes in the middle of the weak Saints' Defense.

Prediction: Cardinals 27-17

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Week 2: vs 49ers

The 49ers roster isn't as good as the Cardinals but their coaching may be among the best in the league. Against a defense led by Robert Saleh and Fred Warner, the Saints won't be able to do much of anything and will fall quietly.

Prediction: 49ers 21-10

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Week 3: @ Seahawks

A long travel to Seattle doesn't give much more hope this week and the Seahawks' defense will squash any hope that survives. This game is where the rookie Shough may really get exposed and could even be benched for the sophomore Spencer Rattler.

Prediction: Seahawks 27-17

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Week 4: @ Bills

From bad to worse, this game will pit the very best of the league versus the very worst. The defense and tempo of the Saints will stop this one from being embarrassing but won't be able to stop the L.

Prediction: Bills 24-13

___________________________________ Week 5: vs Giants

If you've read my other content surrounding the Giants this season, you'll know I'm very high on their defense. That being said this game should be a very close call all the way to the last few drives where I have to believe Russell Wilson will win this for the G-men.

Prediction: Giants 24-16

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Week 6: vs Patriots

Similarly to the Giants, the Patriots are on the come up but also have a dynamic offense. Drake Maye will probably have a turnover or two but the rest of the roster will step up and cause the Saints to fall to 0-6.

Prediction: Patriots 26-14

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Week 7: @ Bears

Another matchup that will be good for the Saints' secondary, they could tempt Caleb into throwing a pick or two but will still be overwhelmed. Without any real firepower on offense, the Bears will easily outscore them on their way to a victory.

Prediction: Bears 27-17

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Week 8: vs Buccaneers

Unbelievably this is the Saints' first divisional matchup of the season and the Buccaneers may be the best of that group. In New Orleans the Saints put up a real fight but the Buccs are too good and Baker will have a game-winning drive to keep the Saints winless.

Prediction: Buccaneers 24-21

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Week 9: @ Rams

This is my pick for the Saints' first win of the season and I have two reasons. One, the Rams' defense is all about pass rush covering for the weak secondary which I believe the Saints' O-line can combat and two, the Saints' secondary will cause fits for Stafford just enough for Shough or more likely Kamara to score enough to finally get a W.

Prediction: Saints 20-17

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Week 10: @ Panthers

After winning their first of the season, the Saints pick up a little momentum and have another winnable game between the two bottom-feeding teams in the NFC. If Bryce Young (or Andy Dalton) doesn't play perfect, this secondary will cause just enough separation to give the Saints a quick, little 2-game streak.

Prediction: Saints 24-20

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Week 11: BYE Week

So mostly negatives but some recent positives, the Saints it at their later than midway BYE Week at 2-8. The defense hasn't been too bad and their secondary even ranks in the top-half in takeovers but their run defense is toward the bottom. On offense, the run game has worked behind their big O-line but both Shough and Rattler have gotten ample opportunities but haven't taken advantage of them.

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Week 12: vs Falcons

A big divisional game at home versus a divisional opponent with an unproven Quarterback gives me some upset vibes. Michael Penix may have a decent sophomore year but with every advantage the Saints could get being on display in this one, I have to go with the Saints.

Prediction: Saints 24-21

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Week 13: @ Dolphins

From 0-8 to a 3-game win streak the Saints are rolling as they travel down I-95 to Miami. The Dolphins could be an easy matchup if Tua can't stay healthy but as long as he is they should be able to put up points. Unfortunately for New Orleans, their win streak comes to a screeching hault.

Prediction: Dolphins 27-17

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Week 14: @ Buccaneers

After coming close to beating the Buccs at home a few weeks ago, the Saints have to travel to Tamp for this one where I see a much less competitive matchup. Having already seen them once, Baker is able to carve up the Saints defense and put this one out of reach somewhere around halftime.

Prediction: Buccaneers 31-13

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Week 15: vs Panthers

In my Panthers' prediction I believe Bryce Young gets benched and comes back to a better form just like last season and the Saints are a natural victim to that. If Young can put up at least 21, the Panthers' run defense should be good enough to keep them out of it.

Prediction: Panthers 27-17

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Week 16: vs Jets

Another stingy defense and even at home, the Saints' offense will be too messy to do much. The Jets' passing game could be similarly outmatched but with the Saints firmly in the run for the #1 pick, I'd have to take the Jets to push through and win this one in the 4th quarter.

Prediction: Jets 23-17

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Week 17: @ Titans

At the time of this matchup I have both teams at 3-12, tied for the last place in the league. With the Titans already having their QB and the Saints' spirits and momentum as low as it can be, I'll take the Titans here and give the Saints a clear path to Arch Manning.

Prediction: Titans 24-20

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Week 18: @ Falcons (TBD)

Just a formality at this point, the Falcons are fighting for a playoff spot, at home and against the worst team in the league. Unlike last time, Michael Penix throws the ball all over the Saints and gets an easy victory.

Prediction: Falcons 38-21

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The Saints end this exercise with a 3-14 record including 3-6 inside the Superdome and a 2-4 record within the NFC South.

Exactly what most of you expected, the Saints finish the season with the worst record and the #1 draft pick come April. Questions around whether Arch Manning will declare for this year are still out but either way the Saints will likely use this feat to draft another Top-QB in what should be a great Quarterback class.

There were a few positives of the season, the O-line has a great future ahead and guided Alvin Kamara to one of his best seasons in years. The secondary led by Justin Reid and Kool-Aid McKinstry also performed and have a clear vision moving forward.

Not much lese can be said other than the Saints will continue their rebuild in to next off season and hopefully have some spending money and a shiny new-Manning for their team next season.

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