The schedule is finally out and I have to say, overall, it’s not bad. I have the whole schedule listed on the right side of the site to check out. The Saints have 4 prime time games: 2 Sunday night games, 1 Monday night game, and one Thursday game. As expected, the Falcons rivalry got a primetime slot and that will be the game in Atlanta on Thursday 11/29. The Sunday night games are Brees against his former team in the Chargers on 10/27 in New Orleans, and at Denver on 10/28 which pitts Brees against Peyton Manning. The Monday night game is randomly against the Eagles at home on 11/5.
Mostly, I’m thrilled the Saints open the season at home against what will almost assuredly be a rookie quarterback in RGIII and the Redskins. Given the numbers of suspensions the defense may have to deal with, playing a rookie QB in his first start is ideal, no matter how good he is. The first three games (vs. Redskins, @ Carolina, vs. Kansas City) are extremely winnable and the Saints have a very good chance of going into Green Bay in week 4 with a 3-0 record. The Saints also travel to Green Bay and Denver early in the season, so the only cold game they’ll have all year is 12/9 at the Giants. For an offense that thrives in good conditions that is very good news. The only tough stretch they have is 11/18 through 11/29 where they play 3 games in 11 days and have to go to the west coast to start that run at Oakland. They then come home before having to travel on a short turnaround to Atlanta on Thursday night.
Overall, I don’t think you can complain as a Saints fan about this schedule. Only one cold game and a very soft beginning of the year. Things are set up very nicely.
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