The
2017 season was the
New Orleans Saints' 51st in the
National Football League (NFL), their 42nd playing home games at the
Mercedes-Benz Superdome and their 11th under
head coachSean Payton. The team improved on their 7–9 output from the previous season, while achieving an eight-game winning streak after losing their first two contests, their longest streak (tied with their 2011 team) since 2009, when they won
Super Bowl XLIV. In Week 13 the Saints clinched their first winning season since 2013 and swept the
Carolina Panthers for the first time since 2011. In Week 16, the Saints clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2013 by defeating the Atlanta Falcons. In Week 17, the Saints clinched the NFC South for the first time since 2011 with the Panthers loss to the Falcons. This was the first of four consecutive NFC South titles for the Saints. On January 7, 2018 the Saints played their
divisional rival Carolina Panthers in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They beat Carolina 31–26 in the Wild Card, but lost 29–24 to the
Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional Round in a
shocking ending.
This year was
Tom Benson's final season as owner of the Saints, as he died at the age of 90 on March 15, 2018 from
influenza.[1]
On December 13, 2016, the
NFL announced that the Saints will play the
Miami Dolphins as one of the
London Games at
Wembley Stadium in
London, England, with the Dolphins serving as the home team.[3] The game will occur during Week 4 (Sunday, October 1), and will be televised in the
United States. The network and time will be announced in conjunction with the release of the regular season schedule.[4]
The Saints' 2017 schedule was revealed on April 20.[5]
In a playoff preview between these 2 teams, the Saints lost to the Vikings by a score of 29-19. Despite having a 6-3 lead at one time, the Saints were outscored 26-16 for the remainder of the game. With the loss, the Saints began the season 0-1 for the 4th straight season. It was also running back
Adrian Peterson's first time playing in Minneapolis since leaving the Vikings via free agency in the offseason.
Week 2: vs. New England Patriots
Week Two: New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Hoping to improve their record to 2-2, the Saints flew to London to take on the Miami Dolphins. With the shutout victory, the Saints improved their season record in the process.
Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions
Week Six: Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Lions
7
3
14
14
38
Saints
17
14
14
7
52
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Coming off with the perfect win over Miami, the Saints host the Lions at home in the Superdome. Cameron Jordan gained popularity for his "spider" tackle, as well as a pick six in the end zone. The Saints would beat the Lions for the first time since the 2011 season, and then improve their record to 3-2.
Week 7: at Green Bay Packers
Week Seven: New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
This would be the last time the team allowed a 100-yard rusher until December 13, 2020. This is also the first time since the 2009 season for the Saints to beat the Redskins and the first season to beat Kirk Cousins.
Week 12: at Los Angeles Rams
Week Twelve: New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
The Saints clinched a winning record for the first time since
2013 and swept the Carolina Panthers for the first time since the Saints'
2011 Season. This improved their record to 9-3.
Week 14: at Atlanta Falcons
Week Fourteen: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
The Saints meet the Buccaneers on the road. However, Jameis Winston would win this game. The Saints finish their regular season 11-5 and advance to the Wild Card playoff game.
^
abPhiladelphia claimed the No. 1 seed over Minnesota based on winning percentage vs. common opponents. Philadelphia's cumulative record against Carolina, Chicago, the Los Angeles Rams and Washington was 5–0, compared to Minnesota's 4–1 cumulative record against the same four teams.
^
abLA Rams claimed the No. 3 seed over New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
^
abNew Orleans clinched the NFC South division over Carolina based on head-to-head sweep.
^
abcDetroit finished ahead of Dallas and Seattle based on conference record, while Seattle finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
^
abGreen Bay finished ahead of Washington based on record vs. common opponents. Green Bay's cumulative record against Dallas, Minnesota, New Orleans and Seattle was 2–3, compared to Washington's 1–4 cumulative record against the same four teams.
^
abTampa Bay finished ahead of Chicago based on head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
The Saints meet the Panthers in the Playoffs for the first time. It also marked their first Wild Card victory against their division rival by five points. With their victory over the Panthers, the Saints extend their season by improving to 12-5 and advancing to the Divisional Playoff game.
The
2017 season was the
New Orleans Saints' 51st in the
National Football League (NFL), their 42nd playing home games at the
Mercedes-Benz Superdome and their 11th under
head coachSean Payton. The team improved on their 7–9 output from the previous season, while achieving an eight-game winning streak after losing their first two contests, their longest streak (tied with their 2011 team) since 2009, when they won
Super Bowl XLIV. In Week 13 the Saints clinched their first winning season since 2013 and swept the
Carolina Panthers for the first time since 2011. In Week 16, the Saints clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2013 by defeating the Atlanta Falcons. In Week 17, the Saints clinched the NFC South for the first time since 2011 with the Panthers loss to the Falcons. This was the first of four consecutive NFC South titles for the Saints. On January 7, 2018 the Saints played their
divisional rival Carolina Panthers in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They beat Carolina 31–26 in the Wild Card, but lost 29–24 to the
Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional Round in a
shocking ending.
This year was
Tom Benson's final season as owner of the Saints, as he died at the age of 90 on March 15, 2018 from
influenza.[1]
On December 13, 2016, the
NFL announced that the Saints will play the
Miami Dolphins as one of the
London Games at
Wembley Stadium in
London, England, with the Dolphins serving as the home team.[3] The game will occur during Week 4 (Sunday, October 1), and will be televised in the
United States. The network and time will be announced in conjunction with the release of the regular season schedule.[4]
The Saints' 2017 schedule was revealed on April 20.[5]
In a playoff preview between these 2 teams, the Saints lost to the Vikings by a score of 29-19. Despite having a 6-3 lead at one time, the Saints were outscored 26-16 for the remainder of the game. With the loss, the Saints began the season 0-1 for the 4th straight season. It was also running back
Adrian Peterson's first time playing in Minneapolis since leaving the Vikings via free agency in the offseason.
Week 2: vs. New England Patriots
Week Two: New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Hoping to improve their record to 2-2, the Saints flew to London to take on the Miami Dolphins. With the shutout victory, the Saints improved their season record in the process.
Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions
Week Six: Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Lions
7
3
14
14
38
Saints
17
14
14
7
52
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Coming off with the perfect win over Miami, the Saints host the Lions at home in the Superdome. Cameron Jordan gained popularity for his "spider" tackle, as well as a pick six in the end zone. The Saints would beat the Lions for the first time since the 2011 season, and then improve their record to 3-2.
Week 7: at Green Bay Packers
Week Seven: New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
This would be the last time the team allowed a 100-yard rusher until December 13, 2020. This is also the first time since the 2009 season for the Saints to beat the Redskins and the first season to beat Kirk Cousins.
Week 12: at Los Angeles Rams
Week Twelve: New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
The Saints clinched a winning record for the first time since
2013 and swept the Carolina Panthers for the first time since the Saints'
2011 Season. This improved their record to 9-3.
Week 14: at Atlanta Falcons
Week Fourteen: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
The Saints meet the Buccaneers on the road. However, Jameis Winston would win this game. The Saints finish their regular season 11-5 and advance to the Wild Card playoff game.
^
abPhiladelphia claimed the No. 1 seed over Minnesota based on winning percentage vs. common opponents. Philadelphia's cumulative record against Carolina, Chicago, the Los Angeles Rams and Washington was 5–0, compared to Minnesota's 4–1 cumulative record against the same four teams.
^
abLA Rams claimed the No. 3 seed over New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
^
abNew Orleans clinched the NFC South division over Carolina based on head-to-head sweep.
^
abcDetroit finished ahead of Dallas and Seattle based on conference record, while Seattle finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
^
abGreen Bay finished ahead of Washington based on record vs. common opponents. Green Bay's cumulative record against Dallas, Minnesota, New Orleans and Seattle was 2–3, compared to Washington's 1–4 cumulative record against the same four teams.
^
abTampa Bay finished ahead of Chicago based on head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
The Saints meet the Panthers in the Playoffs for the first time. It also marked their first Wild Card victory against their division rival by five points. With their victory over the Panthers, the Saints extend their season by improving to 12-5 and advancing to the Divisional Playoff game.