The New Orleans Saints' 2026 schedule is shaping up to be a tale of extremes. On one side, you have powerhouse opponents like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears—the only two teams on the slate that notched double-digit wins in 2025. On the other, nearly a quarter of the schedule features squads that struggled to scrape together even five victories. It's a mix that could easily lull the Saints into a false sense of security, making those "easy" weeks potential landmines if they're not careful.
To navigate this tricky terrain, the Saints will need to stay locked in, riding the highs without letting the lows—or the seemingly soft matchups—turn into costly letdowns. With quarterback Tyler Shough leading a revamped offensive unit, there's plenty of promise in New Orleans. But promise alone won't win games. Here's how the Saints' 2026 opponents stack up, ranked from worst to first based on their 2025 win totals, with over/under projections for 2026 (courtesy of SharpFootballAnalysis.com) in parentheses.
The Trap Zone
14. Las Vegas Raiders: 3-14 (5.5, projected improvement of 2-3 wins)
13. Arizona Cardinals: 3-14 (4.5, projected improvement of 1-2 wins)
12. New York Giants: 4-13 (7.5, projected improvement of 3-4 wins)
11. Cleveland Browns: 5-12 (6.5, projected improvement of 1-2 wins)
These four games scream "trap." If the Saints have serious postseason aspirations, they simply cannot afford to drop a game to a three-win team like the Cardinals or Raiders—those are the kind of blemishes that keep you out of the playoffs. The most dangerous of this bunch? The Giants. Under new leadership and with young quarterback Jaxson Dart forming a fresh identity, New York could be the one that catches New Orleans off guard.
The Middle Ground
10. Cincinnati Bengals: 6-11 (9.5, projected improvement of 3-4 wins)
9. Baltimore Ravens: 8-9 (11.5, projected improvement of 3-4 wins)
8. Atlanta Falcons: 8-9 (7.5, projected regression of 1-2 wins)
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-9 (8.5, projected improvement of 1-2 wins)
6. Carolina Panthers: 8-9 (6.5, projected regression of 2-3 wins)
Welcome to the tier where the "easy" label gets ripped off. Don't let the eight-win records fool you—these are teams with talent and motivation. The Bengals and Ravens are both poised for big jumps, while the Falcons and Panthers are division rivals that always bring their best against the Saints. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are lurking with potential for growth. Every game here is a battle, and the Saints will need to bring their A-game to avoid getting caught in the middle of the pack.