54th season in franchise history
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.
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]
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]
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 [ edit ]
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 [ edit ]
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]
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 [ edit ]
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 [ edit ]
Position
Player
Date retired
FB
Zach Line
January 15, 2020
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 [ edit ]
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]
2020 New Orleans Saints staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
The Saints' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 90]
The Saints' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7.[ 90]
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [ edit ]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NO – Alvin Kamara 12-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 11:39. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 5:38.
NO – Alvin Kamara 6-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 10:09. Saints 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 35 yards, 0:47.
NO – Wil Lutz 29-yard field goal, 0:44,. Saints 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 44 yards, 2:53.
Third quarter
NO – Janoris Jenkins 36-yard interception return (Wil Lutz kick), 13:13. Saints 24–7.
TB – O. J. Howard 9-yards pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 12:20. Saints 24–14. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:53.
TB – Ryan Succop 38-yards field goal, 2:22. Saints 24–17. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 3:54.
Fourth quarter
NO – Emmanuel Sanders 5-yards pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 11:38. Saints 31–17. Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 2:25.
NO – Wil Lutz 21-yards field goal, 8:01. Saints 34–17. Drive: 7 plays, 15 yards, 3:37.
TB – Mike Evans 2-yards pass from Tom Brady (kick failed), 2:41. Saints 34–23. Drive: 11 plays, 90 yards, 3:18.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
With the win, the Saints began the year at 1–0 for the second year in a row.
Week 2: at Las Vegas Raiders [ edit ]
Game information
First quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 31-yard field goal, 11:01. Saints 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 3:59.
NO – Alvin Kamara 1-yard run (Will Litz kick), 3:51. Saints 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 4:07.
Second quarter
LV – Alec Ingold 3-yard pass from Derek Carr (Daniel Carlson kick), 8:55. Saints 10–7. Drive: 11 plays, 63 yards, 6:18.
NO – Jared Cook 6-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 5:22. Saints 17–7. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 3:33.
LV – Zay Jones 15-yard pass from Derek Carr (Daniel Carlson kick), 1:44. Saints 17–14. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:38.
LV – Daniel Carlson 38-yard field goal, 0:09. Tied 17–17. Drive: 8 plays, 31 yards, 0:39.
Third quarter
LV – Darren Waller 1-yard pass from Derek Carr (Daniel Carlson kick), 9:58. Raiders 24–17. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:02.
Fourth quarter
LV – Jalen Richard 20-yard run (Daniel Carlson kick), 7:43. Raiders 31–17. Drive: 10 plays, 89 yards, 4:34.
NO – Alvin Kamara 3-yard run (Will Litz kick), 4:33. Raiders 31–24. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 3:10.
LV – Daniel Carlson 54-yard field goal, 1:08. Raiders 34–24. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:26.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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 [ edit ]
Week Three: Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Packers
3
10
14 10 37
Saints
7
10
10 3 30
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – Mason Crosby 33-yard field goal, 14:12. Saints 7–6. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 5:55.
GB – Allen Lazard 5-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 10:32. Packers 13–7. Drive: 3 plays, 50 yards, 1:27.
NO – Wil Lutz 45-yard field goal, 4:28. Packers 13–10. Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards, 6:04.
NO – Emmanuel Sanders 10-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:06. Saints 17–13. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 2:34.
Third quarter
GB – Aaron Jones 1-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 12:58. Packers 20–17. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:02.
NO – Wil Lutz 35-yard field goal, 5:55. Tied 20–20. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 7:03.
GB – Marcedes Lewis 18-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 10:32. Packers 27–20. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:38.
NO – Alvin Kamara 52-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:33. Tied 27–27. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:44.
Fourth quarter
GB – Mason Crosby 47-yard field goal, 8:47. Packers 30–27. Drive: 7 plays, 26 yards, 3:32.
GB – Robert Tonyan 1-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 2:00. Packers 37–27. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 4:36.
NO – Wil Lutz 34-yard field goal, 0:32. Packers 37–30. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 1:28.
Top passers
GB – Aaron Rodgers – 21/32, 283 yards, 3 TD
NO – Drew Brees – 29/36, 288 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
GB – Aaron Jones – 16 rushes, 69 yards, TD
NO – Latavius Murray – 12 rushes, 58 yards
Top receivers
GB – Allen Lazard – 6 receptions, 146 yards, TD
NO – Alvin Kamara – 13 receptions, 139 yards, 2 TD
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 [ edit ]
Week Four: New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Saints
7
21
7 0 35
Lions
14
0
7 8 29
at Ford Field , Detroit, Michigan
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NO – Alvin Kamara 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 10:10. Tied 14–14. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:42.
NO – Tre'Quan Smith 2-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 3:03. Saints 21–14. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 5:26.
NO – Tre'Quan Smith 20-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:44. Saints 28–14. Drive: 4 plays, 49 yards, 0:59.
Third quarter
NO – Latavius Murray 6-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 8:52. Saints 35–14. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 6:08.
DET – T. J. Hockenson 1-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 4:19. Saints 35–21. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:33.
Fourth quarter
DET – Adrian Peterson 5-yard run (Matthew Stafford–T. J. Hockenson pass), 3:40. Saints 35–29. Drive: 12 plays, 43 yards, 4:21.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
With this win against Detroit, the Saints improve to 2–2.
Week 5: vs. Los Angeles Chargers [ edit ]
Week Five: Los Angeles Chargers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Chargers
6
14
0 7 0 27
Saints
3
7
3 14 3 30
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Date : Game time : 7:15 p.m. CDTGame weather : None (indoor stadium)Game attendance : 749Referee : Clay Martin TV announcers (ESPN) : Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters and John ParryRecap , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
LAC – Keenan Allen 17-yard pass from Justin Herbert (kick failed), 6:26. Chargers 6–0. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:33.
NO – Wil Lutz 48-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 6–3. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 2:41.
Second quarter
LAC – Mike Williams 4-yard pass from Justin Herbert (Michael Badgley kick), 11:01. Chargers 13–3. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:59.
LAC – Hunter Henry 4-yard pass from Justin Herbert (Michael Badgley kick), 4:25. Chargers 20–3. Drive: 3 plays, 1 yard, 1:23.
NO – Drew Brees 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 0:14. Chargers 20–10. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 1:45.
Third quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 53-yard field goal, 4:52. Chargers 20–13. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 3:25.
Fourth quarter
NO – Jared Cook 41-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 11:21. Tied 20–20. Drive: 10 plays, 89 yards, 5:02.
LAC – Mike Williams 64-yard pass from Justin Herbert (Michael Badgley kick), 3:40. Chargers 27–20. Drive: 4 plays, 78 yards, 2:02.
NO – Taysom Hill 9-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 0:52. Tied 27–27. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 2:48.
Overtime
NO – Wil Lutz 36-yard field goal, 5:08. Saints 30–27. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:52.
Top passers
Top receivers
Top rushers
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 upright 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 [ edit ]
Week Seven: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Panthers
3
14
7 0 24
Saints
7
14
3 3 27
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
First quarter
NO – Jared Cook 4-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 6:34. Saints 7–0. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 8:26.
CAR – Joey Slye 43-yard field goal, 1:54. Saints 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 4:40.
Second quarter
NO – Drew Brees 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:13. Saints 14–3. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 4:41.
CAR – D. J. Moore 74-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Joey Slye kick), 10:56. Saints 14–10. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 1:17.
CAR – D. J. Moore 7-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Joey Slye kick), 1:37. Panthers 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 5:21.
NO – Deonte Harris 4-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:02. Saints 21–17. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 1:35.
Third quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 41-yard field goal, 4:24. Saints 24–17. Drive: 13 plays, 58 yards, 6:53.
CAR – Curtis Samuel 5-yard run (Joey Slye kick), 0:08. Tied 24–24. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:16.
Fourth quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 43-yard field goal, 7:55. Saints 27–24. Drive: 13 plays, 50 yards, 7:13.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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 [ edit ]
Week Eight: New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Saints
3
7
6 7 3 26
Bears
3
10
0 10 0 23
at Soldier Field , Chicago, Illinois
Date : November 1Game time : 3:25 p.m. CSTGame weather : Partly cloudy, 40 °F (4 °C)Game attendance : 0Referee : Tony Corrente TV announcers (Fox) : Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin AndrewsRecap , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 38-yard field goal, 8:13. Saints 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 55 yards, 6:47.
CHI – Cairo Santos 44-yard field goal, 1:13. Tied 3–3. Drive: 14 plays, 49 yards, 7:00.
Second quarter
CHI – Allen Robinson 24-yard pass from Nick Foles (Cairo Santos kick), 8:10. Bears 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 2:28.
CHI – Cairo Santos 29-yard field goal, 1:39. Bears 13–3. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:13.
NO – Jared Cook 16-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:03. Bears 13–10. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 1:36.
Third quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 27-yard field goal, 9:19. Tied 13–13. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:32.
NO – Wil Lutz 39-yard field goal, 5:04. Saints 16–13. Drive: 8 plays, 19 yards, 3:30.
Fourth quarter
NO – Taysom Hill 20-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:57. Saints 23–13. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 4:14.
CHI – Darnell Mooney 3-yard pass from Nick Foles (Cairo Santos kick), 3:32. Saints 23–20. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:25.
CHI – Cairo Santos 51-yard field goal, 0:13. Tied 23–23. Drive: 12 plays, 35 yards, 1:38.
Overtime
NO – Wil Lutz 35-yard field goal, 1:36. Saints 26–23. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 2:12.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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 [ edit ]
Week Nine: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Saints
14
17
0 7 38
Buccaneers
0
0
0 3 3
at Raymond James Stadium , Tampa, Florida
Date : November 8Game time : 8:20 p.m. EST/7:20 p.m. CSTGame weather : Cloudy, 77 °F (25 °C)Game attendance : 15,740Referee : John Hussey TV announcers (NBC) : Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya and Terry McAulayRecap , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
NO – Tre'Quan Smith 14-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:34. Saints 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 4:32.
NO – Adam Trautman 7-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:00. Saints 14–0. Drive: 5 plays, 35 yards, 2:38.
Second quarter
NO – Emmanuel Sanders 12-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 11:44. Saints 21–0. Drive: 5 plays, 50 yards, 2:23.
NO – Alvin Kamara 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 8:45. Saints 28–0. Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 2:12.
NO – Wil Lutz 36-yard field goal, 1:49. Saints 31–0. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 3:08.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
NO – Josh Hill 3-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:07. Saints 38–0. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 6:50.
TB – Ryan Succop 48-yard field goal, 5:52. Saints 38–3. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 3:15.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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 [ edit ]
Week Ten: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
49ers
7
3
0 3 13
Saints
0
17
0 10 27
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SF – Robbie Gould 32-yard field goal, 14:56. 49ers 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 35 yards, 4:44.
NO – Wil Lutz 49-yard field goal, 13:48. 49ers 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, -6 yards, 1:08.
NO – Alvin Kamara 2-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 6:48. Tied 10–10. Drive: 4 plays, 21 yards, 2:33.
NO – Alvin Kamara 3-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 1:15. Saints 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 0:35.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 23-yard field goal, 12:15. Saints 20–10. Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 6:06.
NO – Alvin Kamara 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 7:29. Saints 27–10. Drive: 3 plays, 22 yards, 1:30.
SF – Robbie Gould 40-yard field goal, 5:54. Saints 27–13. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 1:35.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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 [ edit ]
Week Eleven: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Falcons
3
6
0 0 9
Saints
3
7
7 7 24
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
First quarter
ATL – Younghoe Koo 28-yard field goal, 11:21. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:39.
NO – Wil Lutz 22-yard field goal, 2:47. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 4:30.
Second quarter
ATL – Younghoe Koo 51-yard field goal, 13:56. Falcons 6–3. Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 3:51.
ATL – Younghoe Koo 52-yard field goal, 4:31. Falcons 9–3. Drive: 8 plays, 36 yards, 2:54.
NO – Alvin Kamara 3-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 1:46. Saints 10–9. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:45.
Third quarter
NO – Taysom Hill 2-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 9:11. Saints 17–9. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:49.
Fourth quarter
NO – Taysom Hill 10-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:41. Saints 24–9. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 4:00.
Top passers
ATL – Matt Ryan – 19/37, 232 yards, 2 INT
NO – Taysom Hill – 18/23, 233 yards
Top rushers
ATL – Todd Gurley – 8 rushes, 26 yards
NO – Taysom Hill – 10 rushes, 51 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
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 [ edit ]
Week Twelve: New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Saints
0
17
7 7 31
Broncos
0
0
3 0 3
at Empower Field at Mile High , Denver, Colorado
Date : November 29Game time : 3:05 p.m. CST/2:05 p.m. MST Game weather : Clear, 38 °F (3 °C)Game attendance : 0Referee : Craig WrolstadTV announcers (Fox) : Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Lindsay CzarniakRecap , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NO – Taysom Hill 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 10:19. Saints 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 74 yards, 8:01.
NO – Taysom Hill 2-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 1:03. Saints 14–0. Drive: 5 plays, 13 yards, 1:19.
NO – Wil Lutz 40-yard field goal, 0:00. Saints 17–0. Drive: 2 plays, 19 yards, 0:12.
Third quarter
DEN – Brandon McManus 58-yard field goal, 6:56. Saints 17–3. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 2:07.
NO – Latavius Murray 36-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 2:14. Saints 24–3. Drive: 8 plays, 82 yards, 4:42.
Fourth quarter
NO – Latavius Murray 8-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 6:03. Saints 31–3. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 6:54.
Top passers
NO – Taysom Hill – 9/16, 78 yards, INT
DEN – Kendall Hinton – 1/9, 13 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
NO – Latavius Murray – 19 rushes, 124 yards, 2 TD
DEN – Royce Freeman – 8 rushes, 50 yards
Top receivers
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 [ edit ]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
ATL – Younghoe Koo 30-yard field goal, 4:51. Saints 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 2:49.
NO – Jared Cook 11-yard pass from Taysom Hill (Wil Lutz kick), 1:45. Saints 14–6. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:06.
ATL – Younghoe Koo 28-yard field goal, 0:00. Saints 14–9. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 1:45.
Third quarter
NO – Alvin Kamara 11-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 9:01. Saints 21–9. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:59.
Fourth quarter
ATL – Russell Gage 10-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 7:43. Saints 21–16. Drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 3:26.
Top passers
NO – Taysom Hill – 27/37, 232 yards, 2 TD
ATL – Matt Ryan – 19/39, 273 yards, TD
Top rushers
NO – Alvin Kamara – 15 rushes, 88 yards, TD
ATL – Ito Smith – 8 rushes, 36 yards
Top receivers
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 [ edit ]
Week Fourteen: New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Saints
0
0
14 7 21
Eagles
0
17
0 7 24
at Lincoln Financial Field , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date : December 13Game time : 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CSTGame weather : Clear, 57 °F (14 °C)Game attendance : 0Referee : Jerome BogerTV announcers (Fox) : Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston and Pam OliverRecap , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
PHI – Alshon Jeffery 15-yard pass from Jalen Hurts (Jake Elliott kick), 13:25. Eagles 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:33.
PHI – Jake Elliott 44-yard field goal, 6:05. Eagles 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 0:52.
PHI – Miles Sanders 82-yard run (Jake Elliott kick), 1:35. Eagles 17–0. Drive: 4 plays, 96 yards, 0:38.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
PHI – Miles Sanders 1-yard run (Jake Elliott kick), 6:22. Eagles 24–14. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 3:27.
NO – Jared Cook 20-yard pass from Taysom Hill (Wil Lutz kick), 1:24. Eagles 24-21. Drive: 3 plays, 51 yards, 0:18.
Top passers
NO – Taysom Hill – 28/38, 291 yards, 2 TD, INT
PHI – Jalen Hurts – 17/30, 167 yards, TD
Top rushers
NO – Alvin Kamara – 11 rushes, 50 yards, TD
PHI – Miles Sanders – 14 rushes, 115 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
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 [ edit ]
Week Fifteen: Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chiefs
7
7
7 11 32
Saints
0
9
6 14 29
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
KC – Travis Kelce 1-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker kick), 14:58. Chiefs 14–0. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:01.
NO – Taysom Hill 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 10:21. Chiefs 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 2:40.
NO – Demarcus Robinson fumble forced by Craig Robertson out of bounds in end zone for a Safety, 0:03. Chiefs 14–9.
Third quarter
NO – Latavius Murray 24-yard pass from Drew Brees (pass failed), 13:16. Saints 15–14. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:44.
KC – Mecole Hardman 5-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker kick), 8:23. Chiefs 21–15. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:53.
Fourth quarter
KC – Le'Veon Bell 12-yard run (Patrick Mahomes-Travis Kelce pass), 13:44. Chiefs 29–15. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 4:44.
NO – Alvin Kamara 14-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:43. Chiefs 29–22. Drive: 3 plays, 25 yards, 1:13.
KC – Harrison Butker 22-yard field goal, 4:18. Chiefs 32–22. Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 5:25.
NO – Lil'Jordan Humphrey 17-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 2:06. Chiefs 32–29. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:12.
Top passers
KC – Patrick Mahomes – 26/47, 254 yards, 3 TD
NO – Drew Brees – 15/34, 234 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
KC – Travis Kelce – 8 receptions, 68 yards, TD
NO – Emmanuel Sanders – 4 receptions, 76 yards
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 [ edit ]
Christmas Day games
Week Sixteen: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Vikings
7
7
13 6 33
Saints
14
10
7 21 52
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
First quarter
NO – Alvin Kamara 40-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:11. Saints 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:49.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 15-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 8:46. Tied 7–7. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:25.
NO – Alvin Kamara 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 5:20. Saints 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:36.
Second quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 30-yard field goal, 14:12. Saints 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 84 yards, 4:36.
MIN – Mike Boone 4-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 10:14. Saints 17–14. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:58.
NO – Alvin Kamara 5-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 0:38. Saints 24–14. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 2:37.
Third quarter
MIN – Irv Smith Jr. 2-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (kick failed), 9:41. Saints 24–20. Drive: 3 plays, 18 yards, 1:12.
NO – Alvin Kamara 6-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 4:38. Saints 31–20. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 5:03.
MIN – Irv Smith Jr. 4-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 0:22. Saints 31–27. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:16.
Fourth quarter
NO – Alvin Kamara 7-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:01. Saints 38–27. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 3:21.
NO – Taysom Hill 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 4:00. Saints 45–27. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 6:22.
MIN – Adam Thielen 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (pass failed), 2:10. Saints 45–33. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 1:50.
NO – Alvin Kamara 3-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 1:50. Saints 52–33. Drive: 3 plays, 48 yards, 0:20.
Top passers
MIN – Kirk Cousins – 27/41, 291 yards, 3 TD
NO – Drew Brees – 19/26, 311 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
MIN – Dalvin Cook – 15 rushes, 73 yards, TD
NO – Alvin Kamara – 22 rushes, 155 yards, 6 TD
Top receivers
MIN – Adam Thielen – 8 receptions, 97 yards, TD
NO – Emmanuel Sanders – 4 receptions, 83 yards
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 [ edit ]
Week Seventeen: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Saints
7
9
10 7 33
Panthers
7
0
0 0 7
at Bank of America Stadium , Charlotte, North Carolina
Date : January 3, 2021Game time : 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CSTGame weather : Cloudy, 57 °F (14 °C)Game attendance : 1,500Referee : John HusseyTV announcers (Fox) : Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Lindsay CzarniakRecap , Game Book
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NO – Emmanuel Sanders 8-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick failed), 8:12. Saints 13–7. Drive: 5 plays, 54 yards, 2:25.
NO – Wil Lutz 33-yard field goal, 0:00. Saints 16–7. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 2:47.
Third quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 48-yard field goal, 11:49. Saints 19–7. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 3:11.
NO – Taysom Hill 3-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 4:56. Saints 26–7. Drive: 3 plays, 24 yards, 1:06.
Fourth quarter
NO – Austin Carr 11-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 14:55. Saints 33–7. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 4:27.
Top passers
NO – Drew Brees – 22/32, 201 yards, 3 TD
CAR – Teddy Bridgewater – 13/23, 176 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
NO – Ty Montgomery – 18 rushes, 105 yards
CAR – Rodney Smith – 10 rushes, 40 yards, TD
Top receivers
NO – Emmanuel Sanders – 9 receptions, 63 yards, TD
CAR – Curtis Samuel – 7 receptions, 118 yards
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.
#
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[ a]
New Orleans Saints
South
12
4
0
.750
6–0
10–2
.459
.406
W2
3[ a]
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[ b]
Chicago Bears
North
8
8
0
.500
2–4
6–6
.488
.336
L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[ b]
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[ c]
San Francisco 49ers
West
6
10
0
.375
3–3
4–8
.549
.448
L1
11[ c] [ d]
New York Giants
East
6
10
0
.375
4–2
5–7
.502
.427
W1
12[ d]
Dallas Cowboys
East
6
10
0
.375
2–4
5–7
.471
.333
L1
13[ e]
Carolina Panthers
South
5
11
0
.313
1–5
4–8
.531
.388
L1
14[ e]
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 [ f]
^ a b New Orleans finished ahead of Seattle based on conference record.
^ a b 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).
^ a b 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).
^ a b NY Giants won tiebreaker over Dallas based on division record.
^ a b Carolina finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
^ 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.
NFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (7) Chicago Bears[ edit ]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Cairo Santos 36–yard field goal, 8:06. Saints 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 6 yards, 3:24.
Third quarter
Latavius Murray 6–yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 4:08. Saints 14–3. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 7:29.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
For the first time since the 2006 season, the Saints meet the Bears in the playoffs. It also marked their first victory against Chicago in the playoffs, with the Bears having won the 1990 Wild Card game and the 2006 NFC Championship. 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[ edit ]
NFC Divisional Playoffs: (5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at (2) New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Buccaneers
0
13
7 10 30
Saints
6
7
7 0 20
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
First quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 23–yard field goal, 11:30. Saints 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 1:48.
NO – Wil Lutz 42–yard field goal, 4:39. Saints 6–0. Drive: 12 plays, 46 yards, 5:07.
Second quarter
TB – Ryan Succop 26–yard field goal, 12:57. Saints 6–3. Drive: 15 plays, 67 yards, 6:42.
TB – Mike Evans 3–yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 11:16. Buccaneers 10–6. Drive: 1 play, 3 yards, 0:04.
NO – Tre'Quan Smith 56–yard pass from Jameis Winston (Wil Lutz kick), 8:08. Saints 13–10. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:08.
TB – Ryan Succop 37–yard field goal, 0:00. Tied 13–13. Drive: 13 plays, 63 yards, 2:28.
Third quarter
NO – Tre'Quan Smith 16–yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:43. Saints 20–13. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:17.
TB – Leonard Fournette 6–yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 2:22. Tied 20–20. Drive: 5 plays, 40 yards, 2:08.
Fourth quarter
TB – Ryan Succop 36–yard field goal, 9:52. Buccaneers 23–20. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 5:52.
TB – Tom Brady 1–yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 4:57. Buccaneers 30–20. Drive: 4 plays, 20 yards, 2:11.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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.
^ WAFB Staff. "Saints hang on for 21-16 win over Falcons; clinch playoff berth" . wafb.com . Retrieved December 6, 2020 .
^ "Bears-Saints Broadcast on Nickelodeon Draws Rave Reviews From Fans" . NBC Chicago . Retrieved January 11, 2021 .
^ "Saints QB Drew Brees announces retirement after 20-year career" . NFL.com . Retrieved March 14, 2021 .
^ "New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees retires from NFL after 20 seasons" . ESPN.com . March 14, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021 .
^ "Stephone Anthony" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Eli Apple" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Johnson Bademosi" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Vonn Bell" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Drew Brees" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Teddy Bridgewater" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Ted Ginn Jr" . Spotrac.com .
^ "A.J. Klein" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b c d "Patrick Omameh" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Andrus Peat" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Noah Spence" . Spotrac.com .
^ "New Orleans Saints re-sign DE Noah Spence to one-year contract" . www.neworleanssaints.com .
^ "D.J. Swearinger" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Manti Te'o" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Dwayne Washington" . Spotrac.com .
^ "P.J. Williams" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b c "Austin Carr" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Justin Hardee" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Taysom Hill" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Cameron Tom" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Keith Kirkwood" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Malcolm Jenkins" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Michael Burton" . Spotrac.com .
^ "WR Sanders agrees to 2-year deal with Saints" . ESPN.com . March 21, 2020.
^ "Veteran WR Emmanuel Sanders heading to Saints" . NFL.com .
^ a b "Deatrick Nichols" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Jameis Winston" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b c "Margus Hunt" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Ty Montgomery" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Anthony Chickillo" . Spotrac.com .
^ "James Hurst" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Nigel Bradham" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Bennie Fowler" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Ethan Wolf" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b c "Kemon Hall" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Wynton McManis" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Anthony Lanier" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "T. J. Carter" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Ken Crawley" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b c d e f "Tommylee Lewis" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Trevor Siemian" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Jake Kumerow" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b c "Anthony Zettel" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Grant Haley" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Malik Henry" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Will Clarke" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Christian Ringo" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Ryan Glasgow" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Jake Lampman" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "John Denney" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Blair Walsh" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Larry Warford" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Mitchell Loewen" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Tim White" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Gus Cumberlander" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Maurice Harris" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Krishawn Hogan" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Chris Johnson" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Adrian Magee" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Taquan Mizzell" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Ricky Ortiz" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Taylor Stallworth" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Tino Ellis" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Darrin Paulo" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Joe Bachie" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Emmanuel Butler" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Andrew Dowell" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Mario Edwards" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Garrett Griffin" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Lil'Jordan Humphrey" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Juwan Johnson" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Tony Jones" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Jordan Steckler" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Tommy Stevens" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Calvin Throckmorton" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Keith Washington" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Saquan Hampton" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b "Will Clapp" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Chase Hansen" . Spotrac.com .
^ "David Onyemata" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Zach Wood" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Janoris Jenkins" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Marquez Callaway" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Blake Gillikin" . Spotrac.com .
^ "Malcolm Roach" . Spotrac.com .
^ a b Shook, Nick (July 27, 2020). "Roger Goodell writes letter to NFL fans as training camps start across U.S." NFL . Retrieved July 27, 2020 .
^ Daniels, Tim (October 13, 2020). "Report: Michael Thomas' Suspension Result of Clashes with Payton, Saints Coaches" . Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 14, 2020 .
^ Shook, Nick (November 16, 2020). "Saints QB Drew Brees dealing with multiple broken ribs, lung issue" . NFL.com. Retrieved October 14, 2021 .
^ Triplett, Mike (November 20, 2020). "Saints to start Hill at QB, per source; Brees to IR" . ESPN.com . Retrieved November 21, 2020 .
^ "Broncos to face Saints without QB Drew Lock, both backups after all were deemed high-risk contacts" . NFL.com . November 28, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020 .
^ "New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – December 6th, 2020" . Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved December 8, 2020 .
^ Pickman, JBen (December 25, 2020). "Alvin Kamara ties NFL Record With Six Rushing TDs vs. Vikings" . Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 25, 2020 .
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