Looking at the 2026 Saints strength of schedule

TL;DR

The New Orleans Saints enter the 2026 season with high expectations after a strong offseason, including key player signings and a favorable schedule. They face the second-easiest strength of schedule, with only four matchups against 2025 playoff teams.

Key points

Saints finished last in NFC South in 2025
Key offseason signings include Travis Etienne and David Edwards
Saints have second-easiest strength of schedule in 2026
Team designated as home for NFL's first game in Paris
Only four matchups against 2025 playoff teams

Mentioned in this story

Tyler ShoughTravis EtienneDavid EdwardsKaden EllissJordyn TysonFernando Mendoza

New Orleans SaintsTampa Bay BuccaneersCarolina PanthersAtlanta Falcons

Feb 4, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; A locker room exhibit with the jerseys of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6), New Orleans Saints running back Chris Olave (12), Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) at the Super Bowl LX Experience at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images While their 2025 overall record may have looked underwhelming, the New Orleans Saints found a spark in a player named Tyler Shough towards the end of the year and finished last season with a burst of momentum. Although the Saints ultimately finished last season in last place in the NFC South, expectations for the upcoming season could not be higher following an active free-agent period and the NFL draft. improved in many areas of need this offseason. A few of their key signings include RB , OG David Edwards, and LB . Mickey Loomis and Kellen Moore then followed that up with a strong-on-paper draft class that featured eighth-overall pick, WR Jordyn Tyson. Although there are still some key departures and unanswered questions that the Saints will have to overcome, it appears that the team will be primed to contend for a playoff spot this season, but just how difficult will the path to winning be this season? The Saints are facing a schedule this year with eight road trips and nine\* home games. Fans have to keep an asterisk next to the home opponents this season because New Orleans was designated as the “home” team in the NFL’s first-ever game in Paris, France, as part of the league’s continued international series. Over the course of this season, the Saints head into the year with the second-easiest strength of schedule measure behind just the Cleveland Browns. New Orleans will face the entirety of both the NFC and AFC North divisions this year. In addition, the Saints are also set to square off against the and 2026 first-overall pick QB Fernando Mendoza. New Orleans will play just four teams that made the 2025 postseason, including the Carolina Panthers, the reigning NFC South champion, twice. Having seen the improvements that the team made this offseason and knowing the teams that stand in front of New Orleans, what are your realistic expectations for the Saints this season? What opponents are you most looking forward to facing? Are there any that you’re dreading? Let us know in the comments!

Q&A

What is the New Orleans Saints' strength of schedule for 2026?

The Saints have the second-easiest strength of schedule in 2026, facing only four teams that made the 2025 postseason.

Who are the key player signings for the Saints in 2026?

Key signings include running back Travis Etienne, offensive guard David Edwards, and linebacker Kaden Elliss.

Which teams will the Saints face in the 2026 season?

The Saints will play all teams from the NFC and AFC North divisions, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Carolina Panthers twice.