According to Dallas Robinson from Pro Football Network, the New Orleans Saints face a pivotal season, with their 2024 schedule ranked as the third easiest among all NFL teams. As head coach Dennis Allen enters a critical phase, with a record of 16-18 over the past two seasons following Sean Payton’s departure, the Saints’ performance this year could be decisive. Their schedule includes challenging out-of-division matchups against solid teams like the Eagles, Rams, Browns, and Chiefs. However, they also have the advantage of facing potentially less formidable opponents such as the Panthers, Commanders, Broncos, and Raiders at home, which might help tilt their season towards a playoff berth.
While Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson ranks the New Orleans Saints as having the third easiest strength of schedule in the NFL for 2024, this apparent advantage might not translate into success due to significant roster challenges and ongoing changes within the coaching staff. Despite an ostensibly favorable schedule, several factors could inhibit the Saints’ performance, especially under the continued leadership of head coach Dennis Allen, whose tenure has been characterized by a .500 record since replacing Sean Payton.
One of the major concerns for the Saints heading into the season is the instability along the offensive line. Both tackle positions are critical areas of need. Ryan Ramczyk, once a cornerstone at right tackle, is grappling with a degenerative knee condition that casts doubt on his long-term ability to perform at a high level. On the left side, the situation isn’t much better, with former first-round pick Trevor Penning failing to meet expectations. This lack of reliability in protecting the quarterback could severely impact the offense’s effectiveness.
Further complicating matters is the uncertainty surrounding star cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Known as one of the league’s top defenders, Lattimore’s future with the team is in jeopardy due to unresolved differences with Allen. His potential departure, whether through a trade before or after June 1, would significantly weaken the Saints’ secondary and diminish their defensive capabilities.
Offensively, the team faces a transition period as they adapt to a new system under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who joins the Saints after a tenure with the San Francisco 49ers. While successful in past roles, Kubiak’s offensive schemes may present a learning curve for current Saints players. How well and quickly the team adjusts to his playbook will be crucial, as inconsistency during this adjustment phase could lead to unpredictable performances.
These roster concerns and the adaptation to a new offensive system provide substantial context as to why the notion of an “easiest” strength of schedule might be misleading for the Saints in 2024. The potential for underachievement is real, driven by critical positional uncertainties and systemic changes, which could hinder the team’s ability to capitalize on what, on paper, appears to be a favorable set of matchups. Thus, while the schedule may seem manageable, the Saints’ internal challenges could be the accurate barometer of their success this coming season.
To close out the top ten of Pro Football Network rankings, teams after the Saints that are projected to have the most effortless strength of schedule this season are the Panthers (4th), Bengals (5th), Bears (6th), Buccaneers (7th), Colts (8th), Eagles (9th), and the Chiefs (10th).
