New Orleans Saints 2024 Regular Season Schedule Revealed—Here are The Key Matchups

The New Orleans Saints' 2024 regular season schedule was unofficially released early Wednesday (May 15), promising another action-packed season with intriguing matchups and notable storylines. The Saints will play nine home and eight road games as head Coach Dennis Allen must break a three-year playoff drought.

Home Opener Against Division Rivals

The Saints will kick off their season at the Caesars Superdome against the Carolina Panthers on September 8. The Saints swept the Panthers last year, and this opener will set the tone for the season as the Saints face a team that struggled mightily in 2023.

Early Tough Matchups

In Week 2, the Saints travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys on September 15. Their last encounter in 2021 ended in a 27-17 loss for New Orleans, adding an extra layer of motivation for the Saints in a game usually played like a division rivalry.

Following this, the Saints host the Philadelphia Eagles on September 22. The Eagles, who open their season in Brazil, will be a tough opponent early in the season.

Primetime and High-Stakes Games

One of the season's highlights is a Monday Night Football showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 7 in Week 5. This game marks the teams' first meeting since 2020, when the Chiefs narrowly defeated the Saints.

Another significant matchup is the Week 7 Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos on October 17. This game will see former Saints head coach Sean Payton return to New Orleans with his new Denver Broncos team. Payton led the Saints for 16 years, including their Super Bowl XLIV victory.

Divisional Battles and Key Home Games

The Saints will face their NFC South rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, twice: first in Atlanta on September 29 (Week 4) and then at home on November 10 (Week 10). They will also have crucial games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6 (October 13) and Week 18 (date TBD), potentially determining the division winner.

Other notable home games include a Week 11 matchup against the Cleveland Browns on November 17, featuring former Saints quarterback Jameis Winston, and a Week 17 game against the Las Vegas Raiders on December 29. In this game, quarterback Derek Carr will face his former team for the first time since his departure.

Challenging Road Games

The Saints' road schedule includes tough games, such as a Week 8 clash with the Los Angeles Chargers on October 27 and a cold-weather game against the Green Bay Packers on December 23 (Week 16), where they seek to avenge a narrow loss from 2023.

Bye Week and Season Finale

The Saints have their bye week in Week 12 (November 24), providing a mid-season respite before a crucial six-game stretch. They will close out the regular season with a potentially pivotal game against the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay.

Preseason Schedule

The Saints' preseason includes games against the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers and a home game against the Tennessee Titans.

With a balanced mix of home and away games, primetime clashes, and significant matchups against division rivals, the Saints' 2024 path to the playoffs, an absolute must for Dennis Allen, is much clearer. Fans will be watching closely to see if the team can overcome recent challenges and make a solid postseason push for the postseason.