New Orleans Saints 2018 schedule release: Games, dates and times

Sean Payton’s team overcame a rough start this past season to win the NFC South. Are there bigger things in store for the New Orleans Saints in 2018?

You would have never thought that after dropping their first two outings – to the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots, respectively – the New Orleans Saints would gather themselves quite quickly this past season. What followed was an eight-game winning streak and eventually an 11-5 record. Sean Payton’s squad would win the NFC South for the first time since 2011. And who knows how far this club could have gotten if not for that Minneapolis miracle courtesy of then-Vikings’ quarterback Case Keenum and wide receiver Stefon Diggs?

Of course, the Saints are preparing for another season and are hoping to get back in the playoffs for a second consecutive year. It won’t be easy in the division that sent three teams to the postseason in 2017.

Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins

Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants

Here is how the complete schedule for the reigning NFC South champions, week-by-week, lays out:

Week 1: vs. Buccaneers – 1 p.m. ET
Week 2: vs. Browns – 1 p.m. ET
Week 3: at Falcons – 1 p.m. ET
Week 4: at Giants – 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 5: vs. Redskins – 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday)
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: at Ravens – 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 8: at Vikings – 8:20 p.m. ET
Week 9: vs. Rams – 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 10: at Bengals – 1 p.m. ET
Week 11: vs. Eagles – 1 p.m. ET
Week 12: vs. Falcons – 8:20 pm. ET
Week 13: at Cowboys – 8:20 p.m. ET
Week 14: at Buccaneers – 1 p.m. ET
Week 15: at Panthers – 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday)
Week 16: vs. Steelers – 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 17: at Panthers – 1 p.m. ET

It has been an interesting offseason for a club when it comes to free agency. The team added cornerback Patrick Robinson, offensive linemen Jermon Bushrod and ageless tight end Benjamin Watson – all preparing for their second stint in the Big Easy.

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Of course, is the Saints have a draft similar to what they pulled off in 2017 the sky could be the limit. The team grabbed NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Marshon Lattimore in the first round. The standout cornerback was joined on the awards list by running back Alvin Kamara – the ’17 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.