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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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 17: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers calls a play against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 17, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

1. vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The adage that it was difficult for an NFL team to defeat another three times in one season had been statistically debunked. Entering last year’s divisional playoffs, the Saints had already beaten the Tampa Bay Buccaneers twice in 2020. Since the merger, a team sweeping another club in the regular season and then meeting in the playoffs had prevailed 14-of-21 times.

Make that 14 out of 22. The eventual Super Bowl champions went into the Superdome and came up with some key takeaways in the fourth quarter to knock the Saints out of the postseason. Now Tom Brady and his cohorts enter 2021 with the knowledge that all 22 starters from their 31-9 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV are under contract with the organization.

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Of course, this NFC South rivalry of sorts is now made even more interesting since by all indications, former Buccaneers’ starter Jameis Winston will be Sean Payton’s main man behind center this season. The first overall pick in 2015 played for Tampa head coach Bruce Arians for one year (see Luke Easterling of BucsWire.com) and put up huge numbers in all aspects – including NFL highs in yards and interceptions.

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