2020 New Orleans Saints season

The 2020 season was the New Orleans Saints' 54th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 45th playing home games at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and their 14th under head coach Sean Payton. Although they failed to match their 13–3 records from 2018 and 2019, the Saints defended their NFC South title for the fourth consecutive year following a Week 16 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. After beating the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10, they won six straight games for the fourth consecutive season. With a Week 13 win over the Atlanta Falcons, the Saints clinched a franchise record fourth consecutive playoff appearance.[1] After Week 17 victory over the division rival, Carolina Panthers, the Saints became the first NFC South member to sweep the division in its history. During the Wildcard round against the Chicago Bears of the 2020–21 NFL playoffs, the Saints made history as one of the first two teams to air in a post-season football game on Nickelodeon, a primarily children-related network.[2] The Saints would defeat the Bears 21–9, advancing to the divisional round, where they were defeated by division rival and eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 30–20, despite having swept them in the regular season.

2020 New Orleans Saints season
OwnerGayle Benson
General managerMickey Loomis
Head coachSean Payton
Offensive coordinatorPete Carmichael Jr.
Defensive coordinatorDennis Allen
Home fieldMercedes-Benz Superdome
Results
Record12–4
Division place1st NFC South
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Bears) 21–9
Lost Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Buccaneers) 20–30
Pro Bowlers
5
AP All-Pros
3
Uniform

This season marked the end of the Drew Brees era in New Orleans as he would announce his retirement on March 14, 2021, after twenty seasons of playing in the NFL, fifteen of those with the Saints.[3][4]

Roster changes

Unrestricted
Position Player 2020 team Date signed Contract
MLB Stephone Anthony Arizona Cardinals (PS) November 16, 2020 1 year $84k[5]
CB Eli Apple Carolina Panthers May 28, 2020 1 year, $3 million[6]
CB Johnson Bademosi New Orleans Saints April 23, 2020 1 year, $1.1875 million[7]
SS Vonn Bell Cincinnati Bengals March 25, 2020 3 years, $18 million[8]
QB Drew Brees New Orleans Saints March 17, 2020 2 years, $50 million[9]
QB Teddy Bridgewater Carolina Panthers March 17, 2020 3 years, $63 million[10]
WR Ted Ginn Jr. Chicago Bears April 30, 2020 1 year, $1.1875 million[11]
LB A. J. Klein Buffalo Bills March 16, 2020 3 years, $18 million[12]
OLB Josh Martin
G Patrick Omameh New Orleans Saints May 14, 2020 1 year, $1.1875 million[13]
G Andrus Peat New Orleans Saints March 20, 2020 5 years, $57.5 million[14]
DE Noah Spence New Orleans Saints March 23, 2020 1 year, $910k[15][16]
S D. J. Swearinger New Orleans Saints March 22, 2020 1 year, $1.1 million[17]
MLB Manti Te'o Chicago Bears (PS) October 20, 2020 1 year, $132k[18]
RB Dwayne Washington New Orleans Saints April 16, 2020 1 year, $1.0475 million[19]
CB P. J. Williams New Orleans Saints April 2, 2020 1 year, $2 million[20]

Restricted
Position Player 2020 team Date signed Contract
WR Austin Carr New Orleans Saints May 7, 2020 1 year, $825k[21]
CB Justin Hardee New Orleans Saints March 20, 2020 1 year, $1.5 million[22]
QB Taysom Hill New Orleans Saints March 16, 2020 Assigned 1st Round Tender, 1 year, $4.641 million[23]
C Cameron Tom New Orleans Saints April 9, 2020 1 year, $887.5k[24]

Exclusive Rights FA
Position Player 2020 team Date signed Contract
LB Colton Jumper
WR Keith Kirkwood Carolina Panthers March 19, 2020 1 year, $800k[25]

Signings
Position Player 2019 team Date signed Contract
S Malcolm Jenkins Philadelphia Eagles March 18, 2020 4 years, $32 million[26]
FB Michael Burton Washington Redskins March 18, 2020 1 year, $1.0475 million[27]
WR Emmanuel Sanders San Francisco 49ers March 20, 2020 2 years, $16 million[28][29]
DB Deatrick Nichols Houston Roughnecks (XFL) March 23, 2020 1 year, $675k[30]
QB Jameis Winston Tampa Bay Buccaneers April 28, 2020 1 year, $1.1 million[31]
DT Margus Hunt Indianapolis Colts April 30, 2020 1 year, $1.05 million[32]
RB Ty Montgomery New York Jets May 15, 2020 1 year, $1.0475 million[33]
OLB Anthony Chickillo Pittsburgh Steelers May 21, 2020 1 year, $1.0475 million[34]
T James Hurst Baltimore Ravens May 27, 2020 1 year, $1.0475 million[35]
OLB Nigel Bradham Philadelphia Eagles July 30, 2020 1 year, TBC[36]
WR Bennie Fowler New York Giants July 30, 2020 1 year, $910k[37]
TE Ethan Wolf Los Angeles Rams August 19, 2020 1 year, $610k[38]
CB Kemon Hall Minnesota Vikings August 25, 2020 1 year, $610k[39]
LB Wynton McManis Calgary Stampeders (CFL) August 28, 2020 1 year, $610k[40]
DE Anthony Lanier Kansas City Chiefs August 29, 2020 1 year, $825k[41]
DE T. J. Carter Arizona Cardinals August 29, 2020 1 year, $610k[42]
CB Ken Crawley Practice Squad October 12, 2020 1 year, $910k[43]
WR Tommylee Lewis Practice Squad October 31, 2020 1 year, $910k[44]
QB Trevor Siemian Tennessee Titans November 21, 2020 1 year, $910k[45]
G Patrick Omameh Las Vegas Raiders December 15, 2020 1 year, $1.05 million[13]
WR Jake Kumerow Buffalo Bills December 25, 2020 1 year, $750k[46]

Practice squad additions
Position Player Last team Date signed Contract
DE Anthony Zettel Minnesota Vikings September 19, 2020 1 year, $192k[47]
CB Grant Haley New York Giants September 20, 2020 1 year, $134.4k[48]
CB Ken Crawley Arizona Cardinals September 28, 2020 1 year, $168k[43]
WR Malik Henry Indianapolis Colts September 30, 2020 1 year, $117.6k[49]
WR Tommylee Lewis Carolina Panthers October 8, 2020 1 year, $156k[44]
DE Will Clarke Detroit Lions October 22, 2020 1 year, $132k[50]
DT Christian Ringo Cincinnati Bengals November 11, 2020 1 year, $96k[51]
DT Ryan Glasgow New England Patriots November 17, 2020 1 year, $84k[52]
WR Jake Lampman Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL) December 23, 2020 1 year, $16.8k[53]
LS John Denney Miami Dolphins January 11, 2021 1 year, TBC[54]
K Blair Walsh Atlanta Falcons January 11, 2021 1 year, TBC[55]

Released/waived
Position Player 2020 team Date released
G Larry Warford N/A (Opt-out) May 8, 2020[56]
TE Mitchell Loewen May 15, 2020[57]
WR Tim White May 28, 2020[58]
DE Gus Cumberlander August 2, 2020[59]
WR Maurice Harris August 2, 2020[60]
WR Krishawn Hogan Tennessee Titans August 2, 2020[61]
S Chris Johnson August 2, 2020[62]
WR Tommylee Lewis Carolina Panthers August 2, 2020[44]
G Adrian Magee August 2, 2020[63]
RB Taquan Mizzell New York Giants (PS) August 2, 2020[64]
CB Deatrick Nichols Miami Dolphins August 2, 2020[30]
FB Ricky Ortiz August 2, 2020[65]
DT Taylor Stallworth Indianapolis Colts August 3, 2020[66]
OLB Nigel Bradham Denver Broncos (PS) August 24, 2020[36]
CB Tino Ellis Miami Dolphins (PS) August 26, 2020[67]
OL Darrin Paulo Denver Broncos August 29, 2020[68]
LB Joe Bachie Philadelphia Eagles September 5, 2020[69]
WR Emmanuel Butler September 5, 2020[70]
WR Austin Carr Resigned September 5, 2020[21]
DE T. J. Carter September 5, 2020[42]
OLB Anthony Chickillo Denver Broncos September 5, 2020[34]
OLB Andrew Dowell Practice Squad September 5, 2020[71]
DT Mario Edwards Jr. Chicago Bears September 5, 2020[72]
WR Bennie Fowler Resigned September 5, 2020[37]
TE Garrett Griffin Resigned September 5, 2020[73]
CB Kemon Hall Practice Squad September 5, 2020[39]
WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey Practice Squad September 5, 2020[74]
DT Margus Hunt Resigned September 5, 2020[32]
WR Juwan Johnson Resigned September 5, 2020[75]
RB Tony Jones Practice Squad September 5, 2020[76]
LB Wynton McManis September 5, 2020[40]
G Patrick Omameh Las Vegas Raiders September 5, 2020[13]
OL Jordan Steckler New England Patriots (PS) September 5, 2020[77]
TE Tommy Stevens Practice Squad September 5, 2020[78]
OL Calvin Throckmorton Practice Squad September 5, 2020[79]
C Cameron Tom Practice Squad September 5, 2020[24]
CB Keith Washington Practice Squad September 5, 2020[80]
TE Ethan Wolf Practice Squad September 5, 2020[38]
DE Anthony Lanier September 11, 2020[41]
FS Saquan Hampton New York Jets September 14, 2020[81]
C Will Clapp Resigned September 26, 2020[82]
C Will Clapp Resigned October 8, 2020[82]
DT Margus Hunt Cincinnati Bengals October 12, 2020[32]
WR Tommylee Lewis Resigned November 3, 2020[44]
OLB Chase Hansen Practice Squad November 24, 2020[83]
TE Garrett Griffin Practice Squad December 19, 2020[73]
QB Trevor Siemian Practice Squad December 19, 2020[45]
WR Tommylee Lewis Practice Squad December 24, 2020[44]
G Patrick Omameh Kansas City Chiefs (PS) December 24, 2020[13]
WR Jake Kumerow Practice Squad January 9, 2021[46]
WR Austin Carr Practice Squad January 11, 2021[21]

Practice squad releases
Position Player 2020 team Date released
CB Kemon Hall Dallas Cowboys (PS) September 19, 2020[39]
WR Malik Henry October 10, 2020[49]
TE Tommy Stevens Carolina Panthers November 10, 2020[78]
DE Will Clarke November 17, 2020[50]
DT Christian Ringo January 11, 2021[51]
DE Anthony Zettel Practice Squad January 11, 2021[47]
LS John Denney Practice Squad January 13, 2021[54]
WR Jake Lampman January 13, 2021[53]
K Blair Walsh Practice Squad January 13, 2021[55]
WR Tommylee Lewis January 16, 2021[44]
DE Anthony Zettel January 16, 2021[47]

Contract extensions
Position Player Date signed Contract
DT David Onyemata March 16, 2020 3 years, $27 million[84]
LS Zach Wood March 16, 2020 4 years, $4.78 million[85]
CB Janoris Jenkins March 25, 2020 2 years, $16.75 million[86]
QB Taysom Hill April 26, 2020 2 years, $20.941 million[23]

Retirements
Position Player Date retired
FB Zach Line January 15, 2020

Player trades
Position Player From/to Date traded For
LB Kwon Alexander San Francisco 49ers November 2, 2020 Kiko Alonso, 2021 Conditional Fifth-round selection to 49ers
LB Kiko Alonso San Francisco 49ers November 2, 2020 Kwon Alexander, 2021 Conditional Fifth-round selection to 49ers

Draft
Main article: 2020 NFL Draft
2020 New Orleans Saints Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
124 Cesar RuizCMichigan
374 Zack BaunLBWisconsin
3105 Adam TrautmanTEDayton
7240 Tommy StevensQBMississippi State

Notes

  • The Saints traded their second-round selection (No. 56 overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for the Dolphins' 2019 second-round selection.
  • The Saints traded their seventh-round selection, along with their 2019 fourth-round selection to the New York Giants in exchange for cornerback Eli Apple.
  • The Saints traded their third-round selection (No. 88 overall) and their 2021 third-round selection to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the Browns' 2020 third-round selection (No. 74 overall) and the Browns' seventh-round selection (No. 244 overall).
  • The Saints traded their fourth-round selection (No. 130 overall), fifth-round selection (No. 169 overall), sixth-round selection (No. 203 overall) and their seventh-round selection (No. 244 overall) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the Vikings' 2020 third-round selection (No. 105 overall).
  • The Saints traded their 2021 sixth-round selection to the Houston Texans in exchange for the Texans' 2020 seventh-round selection (No. 240 overall).

Undrafted free agent signings
Position Player College Date signed Contract
LB Joe Bachie Michigan State April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.285 million[69]
WR Marquez Callaway Tennessee April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.295 million[87]
DE Gus Cumberlander Oregon April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.2865 million[59]
CB Tino Ellis Maryland April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.285 million[67]
P Blake Gillikin Penn State April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.285 million[88]
WR Juwan Johnson Oregon April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.295 million[75]
RB Tony Jones Notre Dame April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.285 million[76]
OL Darrin Paulo Utah April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.285 million[68]
DT Malcolm Roach Texas April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.295 million[89]
OL Jordan Steckler Northern Illinois April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.3 million[77]
OT Calvin Throckmorton Oregon April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.2975 million[79]
CB Keith Washington West Virginia April 25, 2020 3 years, $2.285 million[80]
G Adrian Magee LSU April 26, 2020 3 years, $2.285 million[63]

Staff
2020 New Orleans Saints staff
Front office
  • Owner – Gayle Benson
  • President – Dennis Lauscha
  • Executive vice president/general manager – Mickey Loomis
  • Senior vice president/chief operating officer – Ben Hales
  • Asst. general manager/college scouting director – Jeff Ireland
  • Vice president of football administration – Khai Harley
  • Director of operations – James Nagaoka
  • Director of pro scouting – Terry Fontenot

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator – Pete Carmichael
  • Quarterbacks – Joe Lombardi
  • Running backs – Joel Thomas
  • Wide receivers – Ronald Curry
  • Offensive line – Dan Roushar
  • Assistant offensive line – Brendan Nugent
  • Senior offensive assistant – Curtis Johnson
  • Offensive assistant – Declan Doyle
  • Assistant to the head coach/offensive assistant – Kevin Petry
  • Offensive assistant – DJ Williams
 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Dan Dalrymple
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Charles Byrd
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Rob Wenning

Final roster
2020 New Orleans Saints final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 10 inactive, 16 practice squad (+1 exempt)

Preseason

The Saints' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[90]

Week Date Opponent Venue Result
1 August 14 at Los Angeles Rams SoFi Stadium Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2 August 23 at Pittsburgh Steelers Heinz Field
3 August 29 Houston Texans Mercedes-Benz Superdome
4 September 3 Miami Dolphins Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Regular season

Schedule

The Saints' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7.[90]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 34–23 1–0 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
2 September 21 at Las Vegas Raiders L 24–34 1–1 Allegiant Stadium Recap
3 September 27 Green Bay Packers L 30–37 1–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
4 October 4 at Detroit Lions W 35–29 2–2 Ford Field Recap
5 October 12 Los Angeles Chargers W 30–27 (OT) 3–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
6 Bye
7 October 25 Carolina Panthers W 27–24 4–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
8 November 1 at Chicago Bears W 26–23 (OT) 5–2 Soldier Field Recap
9 November 8 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 38–3 6–2 Raymond James Stadium Recap
10 November 15 San Francisco 49ers W 27–13 7–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
11 November 22 Atlanta Falcons W 24–9 8–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
12 November 29 at Denver Broncos W 31–3 9–2 Empower Field at Mile High Recap
13 December 6 at Atlanta Falcons W 21–16 10–2 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
14 December 13 at Philadelphia Eagles L 21–24 10–3 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
15 December 20 Kansas City Chiefs L 29–32 10–4 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
16 December 25 Minnesota Vikings W 52–33 11–4 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
17 January 3 at Carolina Panthers W 33–7 12–4 Bank of America Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week One: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 7 0 10623
Saints 0 17 71034

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

With the win, the Saints began the year at 1–0 for the second year in a row.

Week 2: at Las Vegas Raiders
Week Two: New Orleans Saints at Las Vegas Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 10 7 0724
Raiders 0 17 71034

at Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada

Game information

This was the first NFL game in Las Vegas or in the state of Nevada. With the loss, the Saints dropped to 1–1 on the season.

Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week Three: Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 3 10 141037
Saints 7 10 10330

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

With the tough loss, the Saints dropped to 1–2 for the first time since 2017. This also marks their first loss to the Packers since the 2012 season.

Week 4: at Detroit Lions
Week Four: New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 21 7035
Lions 14 0 7829

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

With this win against Detroit, the Saints improve to 2–2.

Week 5: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week Five: Los Angeles Chargers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Chargers 6 14 07027
Saints 3 7 314330

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: October 12
  • Game time: 7:15 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 749
  • Referee: Clay Martin
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters and John Parry
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Drew Brees faced his former team for the fourth time in his career. A potential game-winning 50-yard field goal by Chargers kicker Michael Badgley hit the crossbar instead, sending the game into overtime. With 5:08 left in the overtime period, Wil Lutz kicked a 36-yard field goal to take a 30–27 lead. But the night belonged to Marshon Lattimore, who stopped Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams on fourth down to seal the victory for New Orleans. They won despite Michael Thomas being out for a fourth straight game. However, this time, it was due to suspension after an altercation with Chauncey Gardner-Johnson during practice.[91]

Week 7: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week Seven: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 14 7024
Saints 7 14 3327

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

The Saints meet the Panthers and Teddy Bridgewater in this game. Bridgewater accidentally fell into the Saints sideline, but he reunited with his old friend Drew Brees who did the quarterback sneak earlier. The Saints were still able to beat the Panthers by 3.

Week 8: at Chicago Bears
Week Eight: New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Saints 3 7 67326
Bears 3 10 010023

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 40 °F (4 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Saints meet Chicago again in the regular season at Soldier Field. During the 3rd Quarter, a fight broke out between C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Javon Wims, resulting in flags on the play. This also resulted in Wims getting ejected from the game. Again, the Saints go into overtime and won with a 35-yard field goal, improving them to 5-2.

Week 9: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Nine: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 14 17 0738
Buccaneers 0 0 033

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST/7:20 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 77 °F (25 °C)
  • Game attendance: 15,740
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya and Terry McAulay
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Saints visit Tom Brady and the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Saints scored touchdowns and field goals. This includes those turnovers notched by David Onyemata and Marcus Williams. The Saints beat their rivals by 35 points, marking the second straight season to sweep them in the NFC South division.

Week 10: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week Ten: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
49ers 7 3 0313
Saints 0 17 01027

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

Drew Brees suffered a collapsed lung and broken ribs. He would be out until Week 15 against the Chiefs.[92] Despite Brees being injured and sidelined, the Saints held on with the win over the 49ers. It also marked their first victory over San Francisco since the 2016 season.

Week 11: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week Eleven: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 3 6 009
Saints 3 7 7724

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

Taysom Hill made his first start with Drew Brees sidelined with a rib injury.[93] The Saints would defeat the Falcons by 15 points.

Week 12: at Denver Broncos
Week Twelve: New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 0 17 7731
Broncos 0 0 303

at Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST/2:05 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: Clear, 38 °F (3 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Lindsay Czarniak
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

This was an easy win due to the fact Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles were all ineligible to play following Jeff Driskel testing positive for COVID-19 less than 24 hours before the game, which meant the Broncos named practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton, who played QB at Wake Forest, as starting quarterback for the game.[94] This was also the Saints' first victory over the Broncos since the 1994 season, which also marks their first road game win and Sean Payton's first win over Denver.

Week 13: at Atlanta Falcons
Week Thirteen: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 7 7021
Falcons 3 6 0716

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: December 6
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 8,713
  • Referee: Adrian Hill
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Taysom Hill threw his first NFL touchdown pass in the first quarter on a 15-yard pass to receiver Tre'Quan Smith.[95] In the end, Matt Ryan tried to throw a game-winning Hail Mary, but the Saints defense stepped up and made the ball drop to the ground. This marked their first sweep against Atlanta since the 2018 season.

Week 14: at Philadelphia Eagles
Week Fourteen: New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 0 0 14721
Eagles 0 17 0724

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: December 13
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Clear, 57 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Saints nine-game winning streak came to a halt. This also became the first time since the 2015 season to be defeated by the Eagles.

Week 15: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week Fifteen: Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 7 7 71132
Saints 0 9 61429

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

With the Chiefs being the defending Super Bowl champions, the Saints were unable to beat them. Cameron Jordan became the first Saints player since Brodrick Bunkley (2012), Steve Gleason (2004), and Kyle Turley (2001) to be ejected from the game.

Week 16: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Christmas Day games

Week Sixteen: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 7 13633
Saints 14 10 72152

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

The Saints clinched their fourth consecutive division title as Alvin Kamara rushed for six touchdowns, tying a 91-year-old NFL record set by Hall of fame fullback Ernie Nevers of the Chicago Cardinals.[96]

Week 17: at Carolina Panthers
Week Seventeen: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 9 10733
Panthers 7 0 007

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: January 3, 2021
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 1,500
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Lindsay Czarniak
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Saints, not only beat the Panthers again, but they also became the first team in the NFC South to sweep their division rivals.

Clay Martin was originally going to officiate this game, but he was hospitalized for COVID-19. Adrian Hill was also unable to officiate this game because he had another game to be in. John Hussey became the referee for this game.

Division
NFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) New Orleans Saints 12 4 0 .750 6–0 10–2 482 337 W2
(5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 492 355 W4
Carolina Panthers 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 350 402 L1
Atlanta Falcons 4 12 0 .250 1–5 2–10 396 414 L5

Conference
NFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 Green Bay Packers North 13 3 0 .813 5–1 10–2 .428 .387 W6
2[lower-alpha 1] New Orleans Saints South 12 4 0 .750 6–0 10–2 .459 .406 W2
3[lower-alpha 1] Seattle Seahawks West 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 .447 .404 W4
4 Washington Football Team East 7 9 0 .438 4–2 5–7 .459 .388 W1
Wild cards
5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 .488 .392 W4
6 Los Angeles Rams West 10 6 0 .625 3–3 9–3 .494 .484 W1
7[lower-alpha 2] Chicago Bears North 8 8 0 .500 2–4 6–6 .488 .336 L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[lower-alpha 2] Arizona Cardinals West 8 8 0 .500 2–4 6–6 .475 .441 L2
9 Minnesota Vikings North 7 9 0 .438 4–2 5–7 .504 .366 W1
10[lower-alpha 3] San Francisco 49ers West 6 10 0 .375 3–3 4–8 .549 .448 L1
11[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] New York Giants East 6 10 0 .375 4–2 5–7 .502 .427 W1
12[lower-alpha 4] Dallas Cowboys East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 5–7 .471 .333 L1
13[lower-alpha 5] Carolina Panthers South 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .531 .388 L1
14[lower-alpha 5] Detroit Lions North 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .508 .350 L4
15 Philadelphia Eagles East 4 11 1 .281 2–4 4–8 .537 .469 L3
16 Atlanta Falcons South 4 12 0 .250 1–5 2–10 .551 .391 L5
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 6]
  1. New Orleans finished ahead of Seattle based on conference record.
  2. Chicago finished and clinched the 7th and final playoff spot ahead of Arizona based on better win percentage in common games (against Detroit, the NY Giants, Carolina, and the LA Rams, Chicago finished 3–2, while Arizona finished 1–4).
  3. San Francisco finished ahead of the NY Giants based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Dallas (see below).
  4. NY Giants won tiebreaker over Dallas based on division record.
  5. Carolina finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
  6. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

Postseason
See also: 2020–21 NFL playoffs

Schedule
Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card January 10, 2021 Chicago Bears (7) W 21–9 1–0 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
Divisional January 17, 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5) L 20–30 1–1 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (7) Chicago Bears
NFC Wild Card Playoffs: (7) Chicago Bears at (2) New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 3 069
Saints 7 0 7721

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

For the first time since the 2006 season, the Saints meet the Bears in the playoffs. It also marked the first victory against Chicago in the playoffs. It was primarily due to the Saints dominating on both sides of the ball for all four quarters. During a 4th down play, Alex Kemp got confused by misreading Cordarrelle Patterson's uniform number, making Patterson curse on the microphone. Anthony Miller threw a punch at Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, resulting in both players getting offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, thus an ejection for Miller. This was not only aired on CBS, it was also the first game to be aired on Nickelodeon.

NFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. (5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC Divisional Playoffs: (5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at (2) New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 13 71030
Saints 6 7 7020

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

Even though the Saints swept them in the regular season, they would meet the Buccaneers in the playoffs. This was Drew Brees' last game and the Saints would lose to Tom Brady. Jared Cook would fumble at the goal line after catching a pass. In this game, Alvin Kamara lined up at quarterback, flipped it to Emmanuel Sanders, and then to Jameis Winston, who threw a 56-yard touchdown which was paused due to an accidental flag thrown by the officials, which referee Shawn Hochuli acknowledged that James Hurst checked in as eligible and lined up at the end of the line of scrimmage, thus calling back the flag to reward the Saints a score.

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