How can the New Orleans Saints reach the playoffs? The snarky answer is simply answering that they have to keep winning their games, but the structure of their second-half schedule sets them up for more success than other teams around the league.
To find out exactly how it shakes out, Nick Woltjon crunched the numbers over at Bills Wire, and his results rank the Saints strength of schedule among the NFL’s easiest remaining slates:
- Falcons (.644)
- Jaguars (.615)
- 49ers (.610)
- Bills (.579)
- Rams (.576)
- Panthers (.569)
- Broncos (.522)
- Colts (.540)
- Titans (.538)
- Cardinals (.529)
- Eagles (.525)
- Jets (.517)
- Giants (.517)
- Texans (.508)
- Packers (.507)
- Bengals (.500)
- Chiefs (.492)
- Vikings (.485)
- Chargers (.478)
- Bucs (.475)
- Dolphins (.470)
- Lions (.470)
- Saints (.464)
- Football Team (.464)
- Steelers (.456)
- Ravens (.455)
- Cowboys (.450)
- Seahawks (.450)
- Bears (.429)
- Raiders (.424)
- Patriots (.418)
- Browns (.398)
Of their eight remaining matchups, just two opponents have earned winning records: the 6-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (this week’s matchup) and the 7-1 Kansas Chiefs (who visit New Orleans on Dec. 20, likely in front of 15,000 roaring fans). The teams facing the Saints in their other six games are a combined 17-29-1 (including two tilts with the 2-6 Atlanta Falcons).
If things break the Saints’ way — if Michael Thomas can return soon and pick up where he left off in 2019, and if the defense can just settle in and play up to their usual standards — they could go on a tear. But it all starts with upsetting the Buccaneers on the road Sunday night.
