The NFL’s 2025 schedule release has left New Orleans Saints fans feeling underwhelmed. For the first time in 25 years, the Saints won’t have a single primetime game on their schedule. Meanwhile, their NFC South rival, the Dallas Cowboys, landed an impressive eight primetime slots. This stark contrast has sparked frustration among Saints fans, who are already reeling from the team’s recent struggles.
The lack of primetime games is a harsh reminder of the team’s decline since their glory days under Drew Brees and Sean Payton. The Saints haven’t made the playoffs in four years, and their last bright spot was a dominant win over the Cowboys in AT&T Stadium last season. Since then, they’ve struggled, particularly in primetime, where they had some disappointing performances in their three appearances last year.
NFL analyst Mike Detellier isn’t surprised by the Saints’ schedule snub, citing the team’s poor performance in primetime last year. “This is all about ratings and having people watch games,” Detellier said. The NFL seems to be playing it safe, avoiding potential duds that might hurt viewership. With the rise of streaming services and social media, the NFL is more focused than ever on delivering high-quality games that will attract large audiences.
Despite the tough schedule, there’s still hope for Saints fans. With a new head coach, roster revamp, and renewed energy in New Orleans, the team might surprise the doubters. The NFL’s flex scheduling system allows for games to be moved to primetime if the team is performing well. Detellier emphasizes the importance of starting strong, especially with seven of their last 11 games on the road. “They’ve got to start fast, come out of the box quickly, because this season schedule really is difficult toward the end.”
The Saints’ quarterback situation has also been a topic of discussion, with Derek Carr recently announcing his retirement due to health issues. However, speculation suggests that there might be more to the story than meets the eye. Regardless of the reason, the Saints will need to find a way to succeed without Carr’s leadership.
As the Saints look to turn their fortunes around, fans will be eagerly watching to see if the team can defy expectations. With a bit of luck and some impressive performances, maybe the Saints will prove their doubters wrong and make some noise in the NFC South. The question is: can they do it? With their new head coach and roster, the Saints have the potential to make a deep playoff run. Only time will tell if they’ll be able to live up to expectations.
The Saints’ schedule might not have any primetime games, but that doesn’t mean they won’t have their fair share of exciting matchups. Fans will be looking for the team to bounce back from their recent struggles and show the league what they’re capable of. With the right mindset and preparation, the Saints might just surprise everyone and have a breakout season.
