Now we all know that the New Orleans Saints are looking forward to their rematch with the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2 of the 2019 season. The last time these two teams faced each other, the Saints were victims of one of the most controversial no-calls in sports history. Fast forward to the 2019 season, and the Saints schedule is just as tight as it was last year. Going on the road to face the Rams is only the tip of the iceberg for the Black and Gold in 2019. Saints Discussions list and breakdown six tough opponents that the Saints shall face not named the L.A. Rams in 2019.
1. Seattle Seahawks: Week 3
If there is one head coach that has had success taking on the Saints during the Sean Payton Era, it has to be Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. The Seahawks style of playing football is one that Sean Payton hates for his team to get into especially on the road in a hostile environment. The matchup against the Seahawks is part of a brutal back-to-back road trip on the West Coast which starts with the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2.
2. Dallas Cowboys: Week 4
Last seasons Thursday Night showdown against the Dallas Cowboys is what began the Saints decline when it comes to production on the offensive side of the football. Even with the Saints inability to put up points in the ball game, they only lost by 3 points. The rematch between these two will be at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. The Saints shall have the home crowd to lean upon in this matchup. If Dak Prescott can leave the dome with a second victory, it would say a lot about him as a quarterback.
3. Chicago Bears: Week 7
Two sound offensive minds in coaches Matt Naggy and Sean Payton will face each other in a crucial Week 7 matchup. The Saints shall be going on the road to play in Soldier Field when it’s cold, but not severe enough to where they cannot be productive on offense. The Saints offensive line will have to be at their best in this contest because of pass rusher Khalil Mack and the rest of the Bears vaunted defense.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Thanksgiving Night
For the second year in a row, league officials have decided to put the heated rivalry between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints on Thanksgiving Night. However, the Saints will be the visiting team. The “Dirty Birds” will be looking to avenge last year’s series sweep by the Saints. History has shown us that the Saints tend to come out flat on Thursday Night Football, especially if they are the visiting team.
5. Indianapolis Colts: Week 15
It will only be the second time that Andrew Luck has gone up against future Hall of Famer Drew Brees. The ball game against the Colts could have playoff implications to it once it’s all said and done. Around this time last season, Andrew Luck was playing at an MVP level, if the Saints defense fails to rattle that version of Luck, it will be a long evening down in the “Big Easy.”
6. Tennessee Titans: Week 16
The last time Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota face the Saints defense; he had one of the best games of his career. Mariota completed 28 out of 39 passing attempts which resulted in 371 yards and four touchdown passes. The second time around he will be facing a different type of Saints defense. The Titans shall be in front of their home when they take on the Saints, but will he be able to deliver when the stakes are high? Similar to the Week 15 matchup against the Colts, the Saints versus the Titans could very well have playoff implications. In conclusion, these are the six tough opponents that the Saints shall face not named the L.A. Rams this season.
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