New Orleans Saints 2023 Preview. Except for the Buccaneers, all of the teams in the NFC South have easy schedules. The Saints have the easiest one based on the projected strength of their opponents. If they’re ever going to make a play to win the division and make the playoffs, this is the year to do it.
I bet they wish that preseason win against the Chiefs counted.
The 2023 Season Schedule for the Saints
Preseason games
Sunday, Aug 13 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (W: 26-24)
Sunday, Aug 20, at Los Angeles Chargers
Sunday, Aug 27, vs. Houston Texans
Regular season
- Week 1 vs. Tennessee Titans
- Week 2 at Carolina Panthers (Monday Night Football)
- Week 3 at Green Bay Packers
- Week 4 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 5 at New England Patriots
- Week 6 at Houston Texans
- Week 7 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Thursday Night Football)
- Week 8 at Indianapolis Colts
- Week 9 vs. Chicago Bears
- Week 10 at Minnesota Vikings
- Week 11 BYE
- Week 12 at Atlanta Falcons
- Week 13 vs. Detroit Lions
- Week 14 vs. Carolina Panthers
- Week 15 vs. New York Giants
- Week 16 at Los Angeles Rams (Thursday Night Football)
- Week 17 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 18 vs. Atlanta Falcons (date is TBD)
Offensive Upgrade
As with other teams in the NFC South, the Saints were scrambling to snatch a quality quarterback for the 2023 season. They worked with Las Vegas to make a trade for Derek Carr, but he wouldn’t wave the no trade clause in his contract. Vegas dropped him, and New Orleans quickly scooped him up. But it cost them. They are paying Carr $150M over four years.
The Saints didn’t have a lot of options and weren’t interested in bargain quarterbacks that may or may not perform. Carr is an above-average NFL QB that has the experience and confidence to lead this team to the top of the NFC South. Even if he is on the decline, as his last season might suggest, he should stand out in this relatively soft division.
Wide receiver Chris Olave had an outstanding rookie season last year. In 15 games and nine starts, he caught 72 passes for 1,042 yards and four touchdowns. He led the Saints in both receptions and receiving yards.
The Saints are hoping for the return of Michael Thomas who has only appeared in three games for the last two seasons because of injuries. If he stays healthy, he could be part of an explosive passing game. Tight end Juwan Johnson who had a 508-yard, seven touchdown season will be returning. Jimmy Graham, who was with New Orleans from 2010-2014, is once again with the Saints. He ranks second in the team’s history for most touchdown receptions – 51.
Their rushing game should stand out as well. Jamaal Williams rushed for over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns last year, the most in the NFL. He’s joined by Taysom Hill who rushed for 575 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022, and rookie Kendre Miller.
When Alvin Kamara is back after his three-game suspension, he’ll work on surpassing last season’s 897 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
A Consistent Defense is the Strength of New Orleans
This top 10 unit had five players with at least five sacks. Only two other defenses met that stat. By bringing in Joe Woods as the new defensive coordinator, they’re hoping to do even better this year. Woods was the defensive coordinator for the Browns for the last three seasons and brought them up to top-five level status last season.
Defensive end Cam Jordan led the defense in sacks again last year (8.5) and tackles for loss (13). He will be entering his 13th NFL season and will look forward to getting assistance from ends Payton Turner, Isaiah Foskey, Tanoh Kpassagnon, and Carl Granderson.
Three new defensive tackles join this year, including free agents Khalen Saunders, Nathan Shepherd, and first-round draft pick Bryan Bresee. They look promising but are still unknowns in the unit.
The Saints Sports Betting Predictions
Olave accumulated 1,042 yards in his rookie season in only nine starts. His props odds are 1050.5 yards in 2023. Keep your limits in on that bet.
Some of the most popular prop bets don’t give good odds for New Orleans players, such as Dennis Allen for Coach of the Year: +2500, or Derek Carr, MVP: +5000.
NFC South Division Winner Odds
New Orleans Saints +120
Atlanta Falcons +215
Carolina Panthers +400
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +800
Best Prop Bet
Chris Olave OVER 1050.5 receiving yards -105
New Orleans Saints 2023 Season Odds
Win Total 9.5
Win Division +120
Win NFC +1200
Make Playoffs -190
Win Super Bowl +3000
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