New Orleans Saints 2021 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 03: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the first half of their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 09: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks looks to pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter in an NFC Wild Card game at Lumen Field on January 09, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

3. at Seattle Seahawks

There were postseason clashes in 2010 and 2013, both in the Pacific Northwest. And Pete Carroll’s club prevailed in both. The former was a wild 41-36 triumph in the Wild Card round, highlighted by Marshawn Lynch’s mauling of the New Orleans’ defense. The Saints were then-defending Super Bowl champions and fell to the 7-9 NFC West champions.

If you include the postseason, the Saints and Seattle Seahawks have split 16 total meetings. The last two have gone to Sean Payton’s squad, the latest a 33-27 road triumph in Week 3 of 2019 in which his club played quite the complete game and were under the command of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

So there was no Drew Brees for that clash and he won’t be around for this encounter. Still, it is a very important contest for a pair of teams that finished 12-4 this past year while winning their respective divisions. And speaking of similarities, both the Saints and ‘Hawks saw their season end at home – the latter to the division-rivals Rams in the wild card playoffs.

A year ago, Payton’s team finished as the NFC’s No. 2 seed, defeating the Bears before losing to the Bucs in the divisional round. A win over a fellow contender such as the Seahawks could be vital to playoff positioning.

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