2018 New Orleans Saints season explained

Team:New Orleans Saints
Year:2018
Record:13–3
Division Place:1st NFC South
Coach:Sean Payton
Owner:Gayle Benson[1]
General Manager:Mickey Loomis
Off Coach:Pete Carmichael Jr.
Def Coach:Dennis Allen
Stadium:Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Playoffs:Won Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Eagles) 20–14
Lost NFC Championship
(vs. Rams) 23–26
Shortnavlink:Saints seasons

The 2018 season was the New Orleans Saints' 52nd in the National Football League (NFL), their 43rd at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and their 12th under head coach Sean Payton.

This season was the first since 1984 without owner Tom Benson, who died in March. In Week 11, the Saints defeated the Philadelphia Eagles to reach their first nine-game winning streak since their Super Bowl winning season in 2009, ensuring they clinched their second consecutive winning season for the first time since 20102011. They swept their division rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, after a 31–17 victory on Thanksgiving night for the first time since 2015 while extending their second longest winning streak in franchise history to 10 games,[2] which came to an end when the Saints lost to the Dallas Cowboys 13–10, on November 29. On December 9, the Saints clinched their second straight NFC South division championship when they defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their first back-to-back division titles in franchise history. On December 17, after beating the Carolina Panthers, the Saints improved on their 11–5 record from 2017. After a Week 16 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Saints clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs for the first time since 2009. The Saints finished the season with a 13–3 record, tied for the most wins in a season in franchise history.

In the playoffs, the Saints defeated the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles 20–14 in the Divisional Round. However, the Saints' season came to an end in a 26–23 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game in controversial fashion, which ended their hopes of returning to the Super Bowl for the first time since Super Bowl XLIV. Additionally, it marked the first time since 1992 that the Saints lost a postseason game at home.

Draft

See main article: 2018 NFL draft.

2018 New Orleans Saints Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
14UTSA
3 91UCF
4 127FSU
5 164Wisconsin
6 189Boston College
6 201Louisiana Tech
7 245LSU
Notes

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1at Jacksonville JaguarsW 24–201–0TIAA Bank FieldRecap
2Arizona CardinalsL 15–201–1Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeRecap
3at Los Angeles ChargersW 36–72–1StubHub CenterRecap
4Los Angeles RamsW 28–03–1Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeRecap

Regular season

Schedule

The Saints' 2018 schedule was released on April 19.

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1September 9Tampa Bay BuccaneersL 40–480–1Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeRecap
2September 16Cleveland BrownsW 21–181–1Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeRecap
3September 23at Atlanta FalconsW 43–37 2–1Mercedes-Benz StadiumRecap
4September 30at New York GiantsW 33–183–1MetLife StadiumRecap
5Washington RedskinsW 43–194–1Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeRecap
6Bye
7October 21at Baltimore RavensW 24–235–1M&T Bank StadiumRecap
8October 28at Minnesota VikingsW 30–206–1U.S. Bank StadiumRecap
9November 4Los Angeles RamsW 45–357–1Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeRecap
10November 11at Cincinnati BengalsW 51–148–1Paul Brown StadiumRecap
11November 18Philadelphia EaglesW 48–79–1Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeRecap
12November 22Atlanta FalconsW 31–1710–1Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeRecap
13at Dallas CowboysL 10–1310–2AT&T StadiumRecap
14December 9at Tampa Bay BuccaneersW 28–1411–2Raymond James StadiumRecap
15at Carolina PanthersW 12–912–2Bank of America StadiumRecap
16December 23Pittsburgh SteelersW 31–2813–2Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeRecap
17December 30Carolina PanthersL 14–3313–3Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeRecap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With the loss to the Buccaneers, the Saints started their season off with 0-1.

Week 2: vs. Cleveland Browns

With the win against the Browns, they improved to 1-1.

Week 3: at Atlanta Falcons

In this game, both teams tied in the 4th quarter, resulting in a Saints victory against the Falcons in overtime. They improved to 2-1.

Week 4: at New York Giants

The Saints played at the Giants for the first time since 2016. In the 1st quarter, they trailed by 7, but for the remainder of the game, they were able to make a comeback against them. Therefore, they won this game and brought their record to 3-1.

Week 5: vs. Washington Redskins

This game was one year removed from last season, where the Saints overcame a 15-point deficit against the Redskins at home with three minutes remaining. This time, the Saints dominated the entire game. This game marked Drew Brees passing Brett Favre and Peyton Manning on most passing yards. The win improved the Saints to 4-1.

Week 7: at Baltimore Ravens

Drew Brees would throw his 500th touchdown pass against Baltimore and becoming the third quarterback in modern NFL history to defeat all 32 teams playing in the 2018 season – after Peyton Manning and Brett Favre. In doing so, he improved his record against the Ravens to 1-4. This also marked the Saints' one point victory over the Ravens, since Justin Tucker missed the extra point which was a nod to John Carney's missed PAT in a 2003 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Week 8: at Minnesota Vikings

The Saints travelled to Minnesota for the first time since the 2017 Divisional round; during which safety Marcus Williams missed a tackle on the game's final play that allowed a 61-yard game-winning touchdown reception by Stefon Diggs. In this divisional round rematch, despite a good offensive showing from Kirk Cousins and Stefon Diggs, and Drew Brees who was held to just 120 passing yards, New Orleans still won the game 30-20 to go to 6-1 and avenge their aforementioned playoff loss.

Week 9: vs. Los Angeles Rams

With the victory, the Saints extended their winning streak to 7 games (Starting from week 2) and ended Rams 8-game win streak. Star wide receiver Michael Thomas, after scoring on his 12th reception, paid homage to former Saints wide receiver Joe Horn; while simultaneously taunting former teammate Brandin Cooks and the Rams by pulling out a cell phone from underneath the goalpost pretending to imitate making a phone call. This celebration drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, enraging the Rams sideline.[3] [4] This was also the final victory over the Rams, who eventually beat them in the playoffs and one season after that.

Week 10: at Cincinnati Bengals

After losing the newly acquired Dez Bryant for the year with an Achilles' tear in practice, several players, including Michael Thomas, and running backs Mark Ingram II and Alvin Kamara paid tribute by throwing up Bryant's signature 'X' celebration each time they scored. Safety Marcus Williams returned a long interception to end the first half with the Saints leading 35-7. New Orleans would eventually stun the Bengals in a 51-14 victory and their streak continued, going 8-1. It was also the first time since the 2010 season in which the Saints defeated the Bengals.

Week 11: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

After head coach Sean Payton lost a golf bet to Eagles head coach Doug Pederson, the Saints, despite being the home team, wore their white color rush uniforms. It was the first time the Saints used the uniforms at home. They were able to beat the Eagles by 41 points, despite Philadelphia being the defending Super Bowl champions from last season. This brought the Saints record to 9-1.

Week 12: vs. Atlanta Falcons

NFL on Thanksgiving DayThe Saints were able to beat the Falcons 31-17 on a Thanksgiving Game. This not only improved their record to 10-1, it also marked the first season since 2015 to sweep the Falcons.

Week 13: at Dallas Cowboys

Michael Thomas recorded his 90th catch of the season, joining Odell Beckham Jr. as the only players in NFL history to record at least 90 receptions in their first three seasons.[5] However, Drew Brees would lose the game for the Saints by throwing an interception to Jourdan Lewis, thus snapping the Saints' 10-game win streak and dropping them to 10–2.

Week 14: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The New Orleans Saints trailed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14-3 halfway through the 3rd quarter when Taysom Hill sparked a rally by blocking a punt and setting up New Orleans inside Tampa Bay territory. The Saints would go on to win in a comeback 28-14 and clinching a playoff berth in the process. Their record improves to 11-2 with the victory over the Buccaneers.

Week 15: at Carolina Panthers

The Saints travel to Bank of America Stadium to play against the Panthers. During the punt, Thomas Morstead was tripped up by the defender, prompting the Saints to get a free first down from the Roughing the Kicker penalty. The Saints win by 3 points and improve their record to 12-2.

Week 16: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

With the win, the Saints clinched home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Mark Ingram II recorded his 50th touchdown, surpassing Deuce McAllister for the Saints franchise record for rushing touchdowns.[6] The Saints were the only NFC South team to defeat all four of their AFC North opponents in 2018. They improve to 13-2 in the process.

Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers

Teddy Bridgewater started in this game. With the loss, the Saints finish the season 13-3. With the first-round bye, the Saints secured their spot in the playoffs.

Standings

Conference

Single player milestone

Late in the first half of the Week 5, Monday Night game against the Washington Redskins, Quarterback Drew Brees surpassed Brett Favre (71,838) and Peyton Manning (71,940) for the most career passing yards. Brees surpassed Favre on a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Josh Hill, and later he surpassed Manning with a 62-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith, giving him the NFL's All-Time Career pass yardage record.[7] Brees also threw his 500th touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens, with a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Benjamin Watson.

Postseason

Playoff roundDateOpponent (seed)ResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
Wild CardFirst-round bye
DivisionalJanuary 13, 2019Philadelphia Eagles (6)W 20–141–0Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeRecap
NFC ChampionshipJanuary 20, 2019Los Angeles Rams (2)L 23–26 1–1Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeRecap

NFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. (6) Philadelphia Eagles

The Saints host the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs for the first time since the 2006 season, the first since the 2013 season to play the Eagles under Nick Foles. The Saints initially trailed by 14 points but made a comeback in the end. Marshon Lattimore stuns the Eagles with an interception to secure the Saints' victory and advance to the NFC Championship. Their record improves to 14-3.

NFC Championship: vs. (2) Los Angeles Rams

Coming off with the Divisional Round victory over the Eagles, the Saints remain in the Superdome to host the Los Angeles Rams. It was the first time since January 24, 2010, the Saints host the NFC Championship in their home field.

The game was marred with controversy after the referees missed a pass interference call of Nickell Robey-Coleman's hit on Tommylee Lewis on 3rd-and-10 with 1:45 remaining in the 4th quarter.[8] [9] The NFL admitted to missing the call soon after the game was over,[10] but did not apologize for the situation until a week and a half later.[11] The fallout from the missed call was a factor in the NFL's decision to expand instant replay, making pass interference (including non-calls) reviewable.[12]

With the controversial loss in overtime, the Saints finish their season 14-4.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gayle Benson becomes Saints, Pelicans owner. ProFootballTalk - NBC Sports. March 15, 2018. March 15, 2018.
  2. Web site: Falcons vs. Saints - Game Summary - November 22, 2018 - ESPN. ESPN.com. en. 2018-12-19.
  3. Web site: Saints WRs Mike Thomas, Brandin Cooks Appear to Be Involved in Twitter Mixup.
  4. Web site: Saints WR Michael Thomas appears to throw shade at Brandin Cooks after Rams trade.
  5. Web site: 1st to 3rd season - Receptions >= 90. Pro-Football-Reference.com. en. 2019-12-18.
  6. Web site: Mark Ingram passes Deuce McAllister to become Saints' all-time leader in rushing touchdowns. Walker. Rod. December 23, 2018. NOLA.com. en. 2019-12-18.
  7. Web site: NFL Passing Yards Career Leaders . . October 1, 2018 . October 1, 2018.
  8. Web site: Saints lose to Rams in NFC Championship after one of the worst missed calls you'll see on a huge fourth-quarter play. Business Insider.
  9. Web site: Saints' Payton: Referee chief admitted blown call. 21 January 2019.
  10. Web site: NFL Admits Pass Interference Wasn't the Only Blown Call on Controversial Play in NFC Title Game. 21 January 2019.
  11. Web site: Roger Goodell breaks silence on controversial no-call in NFC championship game.
  12. Web site: Pass interference now reviewable by NFL officials. 27 March 2019.