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New Orleans Saints 2017 schedule release: Games, dates and times

By John Buhler

Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) makes a throw against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) makes a throw against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New Orleans Saints went 7-9 in 2016 and missed the NFC Playoffs for the third year in a row. Here’s what the Saints schedule looks like for 2017.

The New Orleans Saints inherit a navigable, third-place schedule in 2017. They went 7-9 in 2016, missing the NFC Playoffs for the third straight season. As with the entire NFC South, the division will draw the AFC East and the NFC North in the rotation. The Saints will also play the Los Angeles Rams and the Washington Redskins to complete their 16-game slate.

New Orleans has its six annual games within the division against rivals Atlanta, Carolina and Tampa Bay, home and away. Those are always tough sledding in the competitive NFC South. While the Saints get the Detroit Lions and the New England Patriots at home this year, they have to play on the road against the Green Bay Packers and the Miami Dolphins. Here is how the Saints’ 2017 slate shakes out.

These are the home and road opponents in 2017:

Home: Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Carolina, Chicago, Detroit, New England, New York Jets, Washington

Away: Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Carolina, Green Bay, Minnesota, Buffalo, Miami, Los Angeles Rams

Here is the week-by-week schedule:

Week 1: at Minnesota (MNF)
Week 2: vs. New England
Week 3: at Carolina
Week 4: at Miami (London)
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: vs. Detroit
Week 7: at Green Bay
Week 8: vs. Chicago
Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay
Week 10: at Buffalo
Week 11: vs. Washington
Week 12: at Los Angeles Rams
Week 13: vs. Carolina
Week 14: at Atlanta (TNF)
Week 15: vs. New York Jets
Week 16: vs. Atlanta
Week 17: at Tampa Bay

As it has been for the last few years, this is a make-or-break year for the Saints. They have the offensive firepower to hover around .500 in the NFC, but a porous defense is wasting the tail-end of quarterback Drew Brees’ prime. He has had his health, but he’s not getting any younger under center.

Next: NFL Power Rankings: 30 Best QB of All-Time

Defensively, the Saints have to get it right this fall. They have a stud pass rusher in Cameron Jordan and could see a big year out of 2016 first-round pick defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. When the Saints defense is at its best, it dominates in the trenches. Affecting the passer will be crucial in the tale of the Saints’ upcoming season.

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