Only four NFL teams are still competing in the playoffs for a chance to make it to the Super Bowl and fans are making their way to casinos to watch the games and place bets at the sports book.
Since the Saints and Buccaneers last faced off on early November, the two teams have each lost only twice. New Orleans had an average margin of victory over that stretch of 17 points per game, while Tampa’s was 18.
It’s certainly no secret that experience and familiarity help win postseason games, no matter the sport. Between the Saints and the Bucs, there’s enough of both of those to go around.
Watching two all-time greats square off against each other is a rare treat. Watching two all-time greats square off in the postseason, is a priceless experience. And on Sunday, for the first time ever, we will see Tom Brady versus Drew Brees battle in the postseason.
For the Saints, Michael Thomas wasn’t available in the regular season match-up but is on pace to play Sunday, and the same goes for Emmanuel Sanders. The Bears, on the other hand, have a different quarterback under center with an improving offense, but a slumping defense.
When the Saints and Bears meet on Sunday, it will be just the third-ever postseason meeting between the two. The last time they met, back in 2007, a Super Bowl trip was on the line.
The New Orleans Saints hope to have star running back Alvin Kamara and the whole gang back for their opening-round playoff contest against the Chicago Bears in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, Jan. 10.
The entirety of the running backs room - including running backs coach Joel Thomas - has reportedly been deemed close contacts to Alvin Kamara, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, and have been ruled out of Sunday’s game.
When the Saints take the field on Sunday to face the Eagles, the black and gold’s defense will have to defend rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts, as he is set to make his first NFL start.
Entering last season, Drew Brees had missed a grand total of one game due to injury in his 13-year career with New Orleans. Two hundred twenty times out of a possible 221, with the exception of resting for the postseason, number 9 was under center for the Saints when the game began.
A lot of numbers stood out in New Orleans' win last week over Tampa Bay. The Saints held the Buccaneers to just five rushing attempts, completed passes to 12 different receivers, and are now number one in the NFC South.
Perhaps the most impressive part of last week’s blowout over Tampa Bay, with much to choose from, was the Saints completing passes as a team to 12 different guys.
Beginning Sunday, Saints season ticket holders will have access to 3,000 tickets for the Saints-Panthers contest. An increase in crowd size will only be possible if current trends in terms of COVID-19 numbers "remain stable".
A quick turnaround from LSU night games, along with securing hotel arrangements for the Saints away team, prevents New Orleans from playing in Baton Rouge this weekend.
The last three weeks have been a roller coaster for the Saints. From The comeback in Detroit, to the Michael Thomas altercation, to the Monday Night overtime thriller, New Orleans has seen about as much as a team can see in a three week span, and they enjoyed a much-needed bye week this week.
Saints star receiver Michael Thomas has been out with an ankle injury since week one, but could’ve made a return to the field in Monday Night’s matchup with the Chargers had it not been for a fight with a teammate.
In sports, fan interaction can sometimes have an effect on how games play out, with the home team feeding off the energy of the crowd like the Saints do at the Superdome.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Thomas was involved in “an altercation with a teammate at practice this weekend,” and he will be disciplined by the team by sitting out Monday’s contest against Los Angeles.
The Black and Gold had plans to evacuate to Indianapolis to continue preparations for the L.A. Chargers, but decided to stay home for now with the storm weakening.
Along with Washington’s coaching intern Jennifer King and Cleveland’s chief of staff Callie Brownson, Sunday’s game became the first in NFL history with a female official and female coaches on both sidelines.
Already the first full-time female official in NFL history, she will join Washington coaching intern Jennifer King and Browns' chief of staff Callie Brownson to make up the first NFL game in history with a female official and female coaches on both sidelines.
Former Southern Miss quarterback will be making his ninth career start as he replaces starter Jimmy Garoppolo who suffered a high ankle sprain in week two.
Former Mississippi State Bulldog became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for 400 yards while also rushing for three scores in a single game.
Thomas had a relatively quiet first week against Tampa Bay, with just five targets, good for three receptions and just 17 yards. It was his second lowest receiving total of his entire career, and tied for the fewest receptions in a game in his career.
According to NFL Network, Thomas has a high-ankle sprain and expects him to miss several weeks. New Orleans expect him to miss Monday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first-ever game in Allegiant Stadium.
Kamara is the only player in league history with 2,000 rushing yards, 2,000 receiving yards and three Pro Bowl appearances in his first three seasons, and he is now under contract for the Black and Gold through at least 2025.
Mayor Latoya Cantrell says she knows people are excited about the start of the Saints season, but safety comes first and the city will not take chances with large gatherings right now.
Despite the lack of the support from the 74,000 screaming fans of the Superdome behind them, the Saints feel good about their progress throughout training camp leading up to the regular season.
