The New Orleans Saints didn’t earn a primetime recreation throughout the 2025 NFL season. Whereas disappointing, not shocking. New Orleans was coming off a 5-12 document and had query marks at quarterback. However alas, only one season out, the Saints doubtlessly discovered their quarterback within the thrilling Tyler Shough, and head coach Kellen Moore is constructing a robust offense behind him.
After a powerful finish to the 2025 season, seeing the Saints and Shough win 4 of their final 5 matchups, New Orleans entered the offseason with a plan. They made two splash strikes because the free company window opened up, signing operating again Travis Etienne and guard David Edwards. They weren’t completed including firepower, nonetheless, drafting Jordyn Tyson with the eighth total choose, and lots extra offensive weapons.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 7: Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints warms up previous to an NFL soccer recreation in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 7, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Picture by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
After ending the 2025 season on a excessive observe, with a rising star at quarterback and a revamped offense, the Saints ought to fare higher relating to primetime video games in 2026. Listed below are my predictions for the black and gold’s primetime video games within the upcoming season.
New Orleans Saints vs. Cleveland Browns (Worldwide recreation in Paris)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – JANUARY 04: Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns drops again to move within the fourth quarter in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Picture by Dylan Buell/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
Not everybody considers the worldwide video games as primetime, contemplating they normally happen at 8 a.m. Central on a Sunday morning. Nonetheless, the Saints have already been confirmed to host a world recreation throughout the 2026 season in Paris.
Whereas the opponent has but to be revealed, it has been closely rumored to be Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns, making for an thrilling showdown between two second-year quarterbacks.
It makes an excessive amount of sense for the Saints to host a Paris recreation. From New Orleans’ wealthy French tradition to the rising European Saints fan base, the black and gold are primed to increase their world attain, even with a matchup that includes two of the worst groups within the NFL final season.
Sanders’ title holds loads of weight, and the Saints will get to characteristic their new offense in entrance of a crowd of 80k followers. Whereas not a very thrilling matchup, the primary NFL recreation in Paris is actually one thing to tune into.
Prediction: Worldwide recreation vs. the Cleveland Browns (Week 7)
New Orleans Saints @ New York Giants (Monday Evening Soccer)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 04: Jaxson Dart #6 of the New York Giants appears to move throughout the first quarter in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on January 04, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Picture by Al Bello/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
Yearly within the NFL, when franchises choose quarterbacks within the draft, followers are desirous to argue on-line that their workforce’s quarterback is healthier than the opposite one. This has been the case with Saints and New York Giants followers. In a pointless argument, every franchise has vouched for its second-year passer, evaluating stats, begins, and wins.
Whereas this debate means little, since these groups aren’t division rivals, it does make for good soccer. Every quarterback is keen to show their workforce proper, and followers can’t await the bragging rights. To not point out it’s not a foul thought for the NFL to place two of the league’s up-and-coming passers on primetime tv.
Neither the Saints nor the Giants have been that good final season. New Orleans completed 6-11, and New York solely pulled away with a measly 4 wins. Regardless of this, every workforce drastically improved throughout the offseason and is anticipated to take constructive steps ahead. With every workforce trotting out rising stars at quarterback and revamped offenses, it could possibly be a high-powered offensive recreation selling the subsequent technology of quarterbacks, and I’d guess it on Monday Evening Soccer.
Prediction: Monday Evening Soccer vs. New York Giants (Week 4)
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers (Thursday Evening Soccer)
Picture by Perry Knotts/Getty Photographs
My remaining prediction for the Saints’ primetime video games will probably be a must-win Thursday Evening Soccer matchup. Whereas I, and lots of different followers, aren’t too thrilled with TNF soccer video games, the NFL likes to schedule them, normally centering round divisional matchups.
Particularly, the NFL loves scheduling them once they imply one thing, and for the Saints and the Carolina Panthers, that seemingly means a late-season showdown that would decide the division. Whereas making this record, I wen’t forwards and backwards if this ought to be Carolina or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however I finally gave the matchup to the 8-9 divisional champs.
The NFC South is weak, and each workforce within the division thinks they’re the perfect workforce in it. So honestly, that is the matchup I believe is most probably to win. I’m not so positive it’ll make for good soccer, coming off a brief week with two lackluster groups in 2025, however the recreation’s significance most likely outweighs how good a recreation will probably be.
Prediction: Thursday Evening Soccer vs. Carolina Panthers (Week 16)
