Fansided

Saints embrace Super Bowl expectations in Big Easy

By Nathan Beighle

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 27: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints and Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints celebrate after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 27, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 27: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints and Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints celebrate after a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 27, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New Orleans Saints are likely getting the last year of Drew Brees, making 2020 one o the more crucial years in franchise history.

Best-case scenario

Going 14-2.

While said record depends on many factors, the Saints had a great offseason. They replaced Vonn Bell and A.J. Klein, improved their offensive line, and, most importantly, added another elite threat in Emmanuel Sanders.

With Alvin Kamara healthy, there’s no reason to believe we won’t see the Saints finally get that first-round bye. Not having one plagued them a season ago, and you can bet they didn’t forget what that Wild Card loss felt like.

This could arguably be their best team ever.

Worst-case scenario

Finishing 8-8. A .500 season for New Orleans would be a colossal failure.

The Saints won seven one-score games last season, so the idea of three loses becoming six or seven shouldn’t be unthinkable. Also, being led by a 41-year-old quarterback, a running back injured for most of 2019 and several injury-prone linemen on both sides of the ball, the Saints could be in trouble if they’re hit with injuries.

Each position does have capable depth, but with such elite starters, losing anyone would be blow. The talent is there for a 14-win season. Injuries and unforeseen circumstances could certainly lead them to a mere .500 record, though.

Biggest offseason move

The addition of Emmanuel Sanders will have a huge impact.

The Saints No. 2 and 3 receivers last season combined for 48 receptions while Michael Thomas went for 149. They needed another threat, and the veteran star will be the help they’ve been looking for.

Draft pick who makes the big impact

Cesar Ruiz. The first-round pick will immediately slot in as a starter, likely at center. He’ll be a key factor in Drew Brees staying healthy throughout the season. While Zack Baun and Adam Troutman have a higher potential to impact the team, they may not get the snaps that Ruiz will. There’s no doubt Ruiz will make a high-level impact from Day 1.

Overall expectations

This will likely be Brees’ last season. He’s still playing at an uber-high level having led the league in completion percentage for three straight seasons. With numerous superstars on both sides of the ball, the Saints have to be in Super Bowl-or-bust territory.

After three straight seasons of winning their division and losing either early in the playoff or in heart-breaking fashion, the fanbase in the Big Easy needs to be represented in the big game.

Every fan is optimistic, and the team has all the pieces on both sides of the ball and will return as healthy as possible. With many players seeing their contract end as the season ends, this may be the last year of such talent in New Orleans.

Expectations are high, as they should be.