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2023 New Orleans Saints season

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2023 New Orleans Saints season
OwnerGayle Benson
General managerMickey Loomis
Head coachDennis Allen
Home fieldCaesars Superdome
Results
Record9–8
Division place2nd NFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersRS Rashid Shaheed
LB Demario Davis
C Erik McCoy
AP All-ProsRS Rashid Shaheed (1st team)
LB Demario Davis (2nd team)
Uniform

The 2023 season was the New Orleans Saints' 57th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 48th to host games at the Caesars Superdome and the second and final full season under head coach Dennis Allen, as he would be fired during their next season. The team improved on their 7–10 record from 2022, but missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season. The Saints finished tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South division title, as well as in a three-way tie with the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks for the last Wild Card spot; however, the Saints lost both tiebreakers.

The New Orleans Saints drew an average home attendance of 70,020 in 8 home games in the 2023 NFL season.[1]

Draft

[edit]
Main article: 2023 NFL draft
2023 New Orleans Saints Draft
Round Selection Player Position College Notes
1 29 Bryan Bresee DT Clemson
2 40 Isaiah Foskey DE Notre Dame
3 71 Kendre Miller RB TCU
4 103 Nick Saldiveri OT Old Dominion From Chicago
127 Jake Haener QB Fresno State From Jacksonville
5 146 Jordan Howden S Minnesota
6 195 A. T. Perry WR Wake Forest
2023 New Orleans Saints undrafted free agents
Name Position College Ref.
Nick Anderson LB Tulane [2]
Sy Barnett WR Davenport
Jerron Cage DT Ohio State [3]
Shaquan Davis WR South Carolina State [2]
Mark Evans II OT Arkansas–Pine Bluff
Malik Flowers WR, RS Montana [4]
Blake Grupe K Notre Dame [2]
Lou Hedley P Miami (FL)
Anthony Johnson S Virginia
Anfernee Orji LB Vanderbilt
Alex Pihlstrom C Illinois
SaRodorick Thompson Jr. RB Texas Tech
Joel Wilson TE Central Michigan

Staff

[edit]
2023 New Orleans Saints staff

Front office

  • Owner – Gayle Benson
  • President – Dennis Lauscha
  • Executive vice president/general manager – Mickey Loomis
  • Senior vice president/chief operating officer – Ben Hales
  • Asst. general manager/college scouting director – Jeff Ireland
  • Asst. general manager & vice president of football administration – Khai Harley
  • Director of operations – James Nagaoka
  • Director of pro scouting – Justin Matthews
  • Director of pro personnel – Michael Parenton

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Director of sports science – Matt Rhea
  • Strength and conditioning coach – Matt Clapp
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Charles Byrd
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Rob Wenning


Final roster

[edit]
2023 New Orleans Saints roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 10 reserve, 14 practice squad (+1 exempt)

Preseason

[edit]

The Saints' preseason opponents and schedule were announced in the spring.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 13 Kansas City Chiefs W 26–24 1–0 Caesars Superdome Recap
2 August 20 at Los Angeles Chargers W 22–17 2–0 SoFi Stadium Recap
3 August 27 Houston Texans L 13–17 2–1 Caesars Superdome Recap

Regular season

[edit]

Schedule

[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 10 Tennessee Titans W 16–15 1–0 Caesars Superdome Recap
2 September 18 at Carolina Panthers W 20–17 2–0 Bank of America Stadium Recap
3 September 24 at Green Bay Packers L 17–18 2–1 Lambeau Field Recap
4 October 1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 9–26 2–2 Caesars Superdome Recap
5 October 8 at New England Patriots W 34–0 3–2 Gillette Stadium Recap
6 October 15 at Houston Texans L 13–20 3–3 NRG Stadium Recap
7 October 19 Jacksonville Jaguars L 24–31 3–4 Caesars Superdome Recap
8 October 29 at Indianapolis Colts W 38–27 4–4 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
9 November 5 Chicago Bears W 24–17 5–4 Caesars Superdome Recap
10 November 12 at Minnesota Vikings L 19–27 5–5 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap
11 Bye
12 November 26 at Atlanta Falcons L 15–24 5–6 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
13 December 3 Detroit Lions L 28–33 5–7 Caesars Superdome Recap
14 December 10 Carolina Panthers W 28–6 6–7 Caesars Superdome Recap
15 December 17 New York Giants W 24–6 7–7 Caesars Superdome Recap
16 December 21 at Los Angeles Rams L 22–30 7–8 SoFi Stadium Recap
17 December 31 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 23–13 8–8 Raymond James Stadium Recap
18 January 7 Atlanta Falcons W 48–17 9–8 Caesars Superdome Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

[edit]

Week 1: vs. Tennessee Titans

[edit]
Week 1: Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Titans 6 3 0615
Saints 3 3 10016

at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

In the Saints home opener against the Tennessee Titans, they barely held on with a 16–15 win. They start off the season 1–0.

Week 2: at Carolina Panthers

[edit]
Week 2: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Saints 3 3 7720
Panthers 3 0 31117

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

With the win, the Saints started 2–0 for the first time since 2013.

Week 3: at Green Bay Packers

[edit]
Week 3: New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 10 0017
Packers 0 0 01818

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

The Saints led 17–0 going into the fourth quarter, but the Packers mounted an 18-point comeback and won, 18–17, on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Love to Romeo Doubs, which was followed by a missed potential game-winning 46-yard field goal attempt by Saints kicker Blake Grupe. With the loss, the Saints fell to 2–1.

Week 4: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[edit]
Week 4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 14 01226
Saints 3 0 339

at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

The Saints endured their second consecutive loss, falling to 2–2. Last season, Lattimore and Evans were ejected for fighting.

Week 5: at New England Patriots

[edit]
Week 5: New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 14 31034
Patriots 0 0 000

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

The Saints dominated the Patriots with a 34-point shutout, picking up the third win of the season. They improve to 3–2.

Week 6: at Houston Texans

[edit]
Week 6: New Orleans Saints at Houston Texans – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 3 3013
Texans 7 10 3020

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

The Saints endured a loss to the Texans, thus bringing their record down to 3–3.


Week 7: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

[edit]
Week 7: Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 7 10 7731
Saints 3 3 31524

at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

For the first time since the 2003 season, the Saints were defeated by the Jaguars. They fall to 3–4. Foster Moreau dropped the potentially game-tying touchdown on the final seconds of regulation.[5]

Week 8: at Indianapolis Colts

[edit]
Week 8: New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 14 71038
Colts 7 13 0727

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

The Saints still defeated the Colts 38–27, even after a tough loss from last Thursday. The Saints improve to 4–4 and tie for first in the division with their rival Falcons.

Week 9: vs. Chicago Bears

[edit]
Week 9: Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 7 3017
Saints 7 7 3724

at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

The Saints defeated the Bears 24–17, while the Atlanta Falcons lost to the Minnesota Vikings, thus bringing the Saints' record to 5–4 and allowing them to take the Number 1 spot in the NFC South.

Week 10: at Minnesota Vikings

[edit]
Week 10: New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Saints 3 0 8819
Vikings 3 21 3027

at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Coming off the win over the Bears, the Saints traveled to U.S. Bank Stadium to take on the Minnesota Vikings. The two teams played in London last season. The Saints still lost to the Vikings 27–19, in which they dropped to 5–5 on the season despite also being on top of the NFC South.

Week 12: at Atlanta Falcons

[edit]
Week 12: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Saints 3 6 3315
Falcons 7 7 01024

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

The Saints weren't able to win this game over the Atlanta Falcons, bringing their record to 5–6.

Week 13: vs. Detroit Lions

[edit]
Week 13: Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 21 3 3633
Saints 0 7 14728

at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: December 3
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,003
  • Referee: Clay Martin
  • TV announcers (Fox): Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

For the first time since the 2016 season, the Saints were defeated by the Lions. They fell to 5–7.


Week 14: vs. Carolina Panthers

[edit]
Week 14: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 3 306
Saints 0 14 01428

at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: December 10
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,009
  • Referee: Alan Eck
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Shannon Spake, and Drew Brees
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information


The Saints previously defeated the Panthers in Week 2. After scoring four touchdowns and allowing two field goals, the Saints held on with the 28–6 win over Carolina. They improve to 6–7 and sweep the Panthers for the first time since the 2020 season.

Week 15: vs. New York Giants

[edit]
Week 15: New York Giants at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Giants 3 3 006
Saints 7 0 10724

at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: December 17
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,038
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Saints remain home in the Superdome to take on the New York Giants. It has been two seasons since they lost to them in overtime. For the first time since the 2018 season, the Saints defeated the Giants, primarily due to New Orleans dominating New York. They improve to 7–7, tying the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and allowing the Panthers to defeat the Falcons.

Week 16: at Los Angeles Rams

[edit]
Week 16: New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Saints 0 7 01522
Rams 7 10 10330

at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

  • Date: December 21
  • Game time: 7:15 p.m. CST/5:15 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 63 °F (17 °C)
  • Game attendance: 73,228
  • Referee: Brad Rogers
  • TV announcers (WDSU/Prime Video): Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit and Kaylee Hartung
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Saints traveled to Sofi Stadium to take on the Los Angeles Rams. The Saints would lose this game and fall to 7–8.

Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[edit]
Week 17: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 10 3323
Buccaneers 0 0 01313

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

The Saints travel to Raymond James Stadium to take on the Buccaneers. In a must-win game, the Saints start off with the opening drive touchdown and held on with the 23–13 win, improving them to 8–8.

Week 18: vs. Atlanta Falcons

[edit]
Week 18: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 14 3 0017
Saints 7 10 141748

at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: January 7
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,072
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan and AJ Ross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Saints were previously defeated by the Falcons. With a dominant comeback in the second half, the Saints go to 9–8, tying their record from the 2021 season. The game ended in controversy; with the team up 41–17, Saints head coach Dennis Allen called for a quarterback kneel to exhaust the final minute of the game. Instead, quarterback Jameis Winston handed the ball to running back Jamaal Williams who scored a one-yard touchdown. Williams had failed to record a rushing touchdown during the 2023 season up to that point. Allen and Falcons coach Arthur Smith would have a heated exchange on the field following the game's end over the perceived lack of sportsmanship.[6]

Despite being eliminated from postseason contention, the Saints maintained a winning season.

Standings

[edit]

Division

[edit]
NFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9 8 0 .529 4–2 7–5 348 325 W1
New Orleans Saints 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 402 327 W2
Atlanta Falcons 7 10 0 .412 3–3 4–8 321 373 L2
Carolina Panthers 2 15 0 .118 1–5 1–11 236 416 L3

Conference

[edit]
NFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[a] San Francisco 49ers West 12 5 0 .706 5–1 10–2 .509 .475 L1
2[a][b] Dallas Cowboys East 12 5 0 .706 5–1 9–3 .446 .392 W2
3[a][b] Detroit Lions North 12 5 0 .706 4–2 8–4 .481 .436 W1
4[c] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 9 8 0 .529 4–2 7–5 .481 .379 W1
Wild cards
5 Philadelphia Eagles East 11 6 0 .647 4–2 7–5 .481 .476 L2
6 Los Angeles Rams West 10 7 0 .588 5–1 8–4 .529 .453 W4
7[d][e] Green Bay Packers North 9 8 0 .529 4–2 7–5 .474 .458 W3
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[d][e] Seattle Seahawks West 9 8 0 .529 2–4 7–5 .512 .392 W1
9[c][d] New Orleans Saints South 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 .433 .340 W2
10[f][g] Minnesota Vikings North 7 10 0 .412 2–4 6–6 .509 .454 L4
11[g][h] Chicago Bears North 7 10 0 .412 2–4 6–6 .464 .370 L1
12[f][h] Atlanta Falcons South 7 10 0 .412 3–3 4–8 .429 .462 L2
13 New York Giants East 6 11 0 .353 3–3 5–7 .512 .353 W1
14[i] Washington Commanders East 4 13 0 .235 0–6 2–10 .512 .338 L8
15[i] Arizona Cardinals West 4 13 0 .235 0–6 3–9 .561 .588 L1
16 Carolina Panthers South 2 15 0 .118 1–5 1–11 .522 .500 L3
Tiebreakers[j]
  1. ^ a b c San Francisco finished ahead of Dallas and Detroit based on conference record.
  2. ^ a b Dallas finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
  3. ^ a b Tampa Bay finished ahead of New Orleans based on common record. (Tampa Bay is 8–4 against Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Indianapolis, while New Orleans is 6–6 against the same teams.)
  4. ^ a b c Green Bay and Seattle finished ahead of New Orleans based on conference record.
  5. ^ a b Green Bay finished ahead of Seattle based on strength of victory, claiming the 7th and final playoff spot.
  6. ^ a b Minnesota finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Chicago (see below).
  7. ^ a b Minnesota finished ahead of Chicago based on common record. (Minnesota is 5–7 against Tampa Bay, Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina, Kansas City, Green Bay, Atlanta, New Orleans, Denver, Las Vegas, and Detroit, while Chicago is 4–8 against the same teams.)
  8. ^ a b Chicago finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head victory.
  9. ^ a b Washington finished ahead of Arizona based on head-to-head victory.
  10. ^ 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.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2023 NFL Football Attendance". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "New Orleans Saints agree to terms with 11 undrafted free agents". New Orleans Saints. April 30, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  3. ^ "Saints agree to terms with rookie free agent DT Jerron Cage". New Orleans Saints. May 1, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  4. ^ "Saints agree to terms with rookie free agent WR/RS Malik Flowers". New Orleans Saints. May 2, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  5. ^ Rasmussen, Karl (October 20, 2023). "Saints' Foster Moreau Was Devastated on Sideline After Dropping Touchdown vs. Jaguars". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  6. ^ Smith, Michael David (January 8, 2024). "Jameis Winston: Saints players have no regrets about Jamaal Williams' late TD". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
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