New Orleans Saints

Lore & Background

The Saints were among the NFL's least successful franchises in their first several decades, where they went 20 consecutive seasons without a winning record or qualifying for the playoffs. They earned their first winning record and postseason berth in 1987, while their first playoff win would not occur until 2000, the team's 34th season. The team's fortunes improved in the 21st century, especially during the late 2000s and 2010s, which saw them become more consistent postseason contenders. Their greatest success to date came in the 2009 season, when they won Super Bowl XLIV in their only Super Bowl appearance. The Saints are one of two NFL franchises, along with the New York Jets, to win their sole Super Bowl appearance.

Reader's Guide

The Saints' head coaches have included Tom Fears (first head coach), Jim Mora, Mike Ditka, Jim Haslett, and Sean Payton. The team's notable players include Archie Manning, Tom Dempsey, Ricky Williams, and Drew Brees. The team's colors are black and gold. The Saints' home stadium is Caesars Superdome.

Did You Know?

• The Saints were named for 'When the Saints Go Marching In', the classic jazz standard associated with New Orleans.
• Tom Dempsey kicked an NFL record-breaking 63-yard field goal on November 8, 1970.
• The Saints' first playoff win came in 2000 against the defending Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams.
• The Saints played no regular-season games in New Orleans in 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina.

A Historic Turnover at Quarterback

The 2025 season marked a pivotal shift at quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. After a 1–7 start, head coach Kellen Moore benched starting quarterback Spencer Rattler in Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to his poor performance. The move came after Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield made comments suggesting the Saints play dirty. Rookie Tyler Shough, selected by the Saints in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, took over. He made his first NFL start in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams, a loss that dropped the Saints to 1–8. Shough remained the starter for the remainder of the season, leading the team to a late-season surge. In Week 10 at the Carolina Panthers, he threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns to secure the team's second win.

A Season of Struggle and Late Resurgence

The Saints' 2025 campaign was defined by a historically poor start and a determined late-season rally. They started 0–4 for the first time since 2012 and fell to 2–10 for the first time since 1999 after a Week 13 loss to the Miami Dolphins, which also eliminated them from playoff contention for the fifth straight year. The losing streak included being swept by the NFC West and suffering blowout defeats. However, the narrative shifted dramatically in December. After falling to 2–10, the Saints won four of their final five games, securing their longest win streak since 2020. This late surge allowed them to improve upon the previous year's 5–12 record, finishing with six wins after a Week 17 victory against the Tennessee Titans.

Divisional Rivalries and Conference Standings

Despite their late improvement, the Saints finished dead last in the NFC South at 6–11, with a 3–3 record against the division. They were swept by the Atlanta Falcons for the first time since 2016 after a heartbreaking Week 18 loss, where an interception by Falcons cornerback Dee Alford set up a game-deciding field goal. Ironically, this final game determined the division title for the Carolina Panthers, as the Saints' loss left the Buccaneers, Falcons, and Panthers tied at 8–9. The Panthers secured the division based on a superior head-to-head record. The Saints did manage to sweep the Carolina Panthers for the first time since 2023 and snap a three-game losing streak against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a Week 14 win.

Legacy Milestones and Fan Support

Beyond the on-field results, the 2025 season featured a unique historical achievement. Taysom Hill’s receiving total in Week 16 against the New York Jets brought him to 1,002 career yards, making him the first player in the Super Bowl era to have more than 1,000 career yards passing, rushing, and receiving. Despite the team's struggles, fan support remained strong. The New Orleans Saints drew an average home attendance of 70,012 at the Caesars Superdome, which hosted its 50th season of games, ranking as the 14th-highest in the NFL.