Huge news for New Orleanians & #Saints fans alike:
The open date in the Saints' schedule is Week 6, Oct. 17, the 2nd weekend of @jazzfest.
The #NFL does #NOLA a solid. pic.twitter.com/g4lScbRYZi
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) May 12, 2021
Let’s get it dudes. The Athletic’s Jeff Duncan reports that the NFL threw a bone to the Saints — and the city of New Orleans — by giving the black and gold their week off during Week 6. That happens to line up with the second weekend of the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which is scheduled to run from Oct. 8 to Oct. 17.
Normally a spring festival, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2020 Jazz Fest to be canceled altogether, while the 2021 event has moved to the fall. So it’s good to see that Saints fans won’t miss any of the action while taking in the sights and sounds at Churchill Downs.
Organizers have yet to announce the 2021 Jazz Fest lineup, but the 2020 headliners were going to feature The Who, Foo Fighters, Stevie Nicks, and Lizzo. The 2019 event was headlined by The Rolling Stones, Katy Perry, Dave Matthews Band, Chris Stapleton, and Jimmy Buffet. Buffett, an ardent Saints fan, let off some steam by lampooning the NFL’s officiating gaffe in the 2018 NFC title game. We’ll see if any more crossover material emerges in the fall.
As for the Saints’ perspective: a Week 6 bye during an 18-week season isn’t great. New Orleans will play five games and go into the break with a dozen matchups ahead of them, with just the top-seeded playoff team receiving another bye week. It’s going to be a war of attrition if the Saints hope to win a fifth consecutive NFC South title, but that’s often been the case.
