2016 New Orleans Saints season
2016 New Orleans Saints season | |
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Head coach | Sean Payton |
General manager | Mickey Loomis |
Owner | Tom Benson |
Home field | Mercedes-Benz Superdome |
Results | |
Record | 5–6 |
Division place | 3rd NFC South |
Uniform | |
The 2016 New Orleans Saints season is the franchise's 50th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 41st to host games at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and the tenth under head coach Sean Payton.
Draft
Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 12 | Sheldon Rankins | DT | Louisville |
2 | 47 | Michael Thomas | WR | OSU |
2 | 61 | Vonn Bell | S | OSU |
4 | 120 | David Onyemata | DT | Manitoba |
7 | 237 | Daniel Lasco | RB | California |
- Notes
- The Saints traded their 2016 sixth-round selection, along with their 2015 sixth-round selection to the Washington Redskins in exchange for the Washington Redskins 2015 fifth-round selection.
- The Saints traded their 2016 third and fourth-round selection to the New England Patriots in exchange for the New England Patriots second-round selection (61th overall).
- The Saints traded their 2016 fifth-round selection, along with their 2017 fifth-round selection to the Washington Redskins in exchange for the Washington Redskins fourth-round selection (120th overall).
Staff
New Orleans Saints staff | ||||||
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Current roster
New Orleans Saints roster | |||||||||
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics | ||||||
Schedule
Preseason
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap |
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1 | August 11 | at New England Patriots | L 22–34 | 0–1 | Gillette Stadium | Recap |
2 | August 20 | at Houston Texans | L 9–16 | 0–2 | NRG Stadium | Recap |
3 | August 26 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 14–27 | 0–3 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
4 | September 1 | Baltimore Ravens | L 14–23 | 0–4 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
Regular season
The Saints' regular season schedule was released on April 14, 2016.
Week | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | TV | NFL.com recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 11 | 12:00 p.m. CDT | Oakland Raiders | L 34–35 | 0–1 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Fox | Recap |
2 | September 18 | 12:00 p.m. CDT | at New York Giants | L 13–16 | 0–2 | MetLife Stadium | Fox | Recap |
3 | September 26 | 7:30 p.m. CDT | Atlanta Falcons | L 32–45 | 0–3 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | ESPN | Recap |
4 | October 2 | 3:25 p.m. CDT | at San Diego Chargers | W 35–34 | 1–3 | Qualcomm Stadium | Fox | Recap |
5 | Bye | |||||||
6 | October 16 | 12:00 p.m. CDT | Carolina Panthers | W 41–38 | 2–3 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Fox | Recap |
7 | October 23 | 12:00 p.m. CDT | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 21–27 | 2–4 | Arrowhead Stadium | Fox | Recap |
8 | October 30 | 12:00 p.m. CDT | Seattle Seahawks | W 25–20 | 3–4 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Fox | Recap |
9 | November 6 | 3:05 p.m. CST | at San Francisco 49ers | W 41–23 | 4–4 | Levi's Stadium | Fox | Recap |
10 | November 13 | 12:00 p.m. CST | Denver Broncos | L 23–25 | 4–5 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | CBS | Recap |
11 | November 17 | 7:25 p.m. CST | at Carolina Panthers | L 20–23 | 4–6 | Bank of America Stadium | NBC/NFLN/Twitter | Recap |
12 | November 27 | 12:00 p.m. CST | Los Angeles Rams | W 49–21 | 5–6 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Fox | Recap |
13 | December 4 | 12:00 p.m. CST | Detroit Lions | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Fox | |||
14 | December 11 | 3:25 p.m. CST | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Raymond James Stadium | Fox | |||
15 | December 18 | 3:05 p.m. CST | at Arizona Cardinals | University of Phoenix Stadium | Fox | |||
16 | December 24 | 12:00 p.m. CST | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Fox | |||
17 | January 1 | 12:00 p.m. CST | at Atlanta Falcons | Georgia Dome | Fox |
- Notes
- Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
- Networks and times for Weeks 15 and 17 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Oakland Raiders
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Raiders | 10 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 35 |
Saints | 3 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 34 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: September 11
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 73,028
- Referee: John Parry
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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The Saints opened the season at home against the Oakland Raiders in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Despite 423 passing yards—including a franchise-record 98-yard touchdown pass to receiver Brandin Cooks[1]—and four touchdowns from Drew Brees, the Raiders came from behind to win 35–34.[2] The Raiders scored a touchdown with 47 seconds remaining in the game to bring them within one point. Instead of kicking an extra point, Raiders coach Jack Del Rio ordered a two-point conversion, which quarterback Derek Carr successfully converted with a pass to receiver Michael Crabtree. The Saints received the kickoff and Brees led the team down the field in two plays to give kicker Wil Lutz a chance at a game-winning 61-yard field goal, but the kick went wide left.[3] The Saints defense was criticized for its performance, as it gave up 210 yards and 22 points in the fourth quarter.[4][5]
Week 2: at New York Giants
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saints | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
Giants | 0 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 16 |
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: September 18
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C), mostly cloudy
- Game attendance: 77,727
- Referee: Gene Steratore
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Gamebook
Week 3: vs. Atlanta Falcons
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 7 | 21 | 10 | 7 | 45 |
Saints | 7 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 32 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: September 26
- Game time: 7:30 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 73,003
- Referee: Pete Morelli
- TV announcers (ESPN): Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
- Recap, Gamebook
Week 4: at San Diego Chargers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saints | 7 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 35 |
Chargers | 7 | 17 | 0 | 10 | 34 |
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
- Date: October 2
- Game time: 3:25 p.m. CDT/1:25 p.m. PDT
- Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), fair
- Game attendance: 60,641
- Referee: Walt Coleman
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
- Recap, Gamebook
For the first time in 11 years, Drew Brees returned to San Diego to face his former team, the Chargers, where he began his NFL career. In the game, the Saints got their first win of the season, rallying in the 4th quarter after trailing 34–21 to win 35–34, mostly due to two key fumbles by the Chargers.
Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panthers | 0 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 38 |
Saints | 14 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 41 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: October 16
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 73,138
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Gamebook
Week 7: at Kansas City Chiefs
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Saints | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
Chiefs | 14 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 27 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: October 23
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 76,282
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
Week 8: vs. Seattle Seahawks
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seahawks | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
Saints | 0 | 13 | 3 | 9 | 25 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: October 30
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 73,188
- Referee: Ed Hochuli
- TV announcers (Fox): Justin Kutcher, Charles Davis, Chris Spielman and Peter Schrager
- Recap, Gamebook
Week 9: at San Francisco 49ers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saints | 14 | 17 | 0 | 10 | 41 |
49ers | 3 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
- Date: November 6
- Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST/1:05 p.m. PST
- Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), mostly sunny
- Game attendance: 70,178
- Referee: Jerome Boger
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
- Recap, Gamebook
Week 10: vs. Denver Broncos
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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Broncos | 7 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 25 |
Saints | 0 | 3 | 14 | 6 | 23 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: November 13
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 73,138
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Gamebook
Week 11: at Carolina Panthers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 20 |
Panthers | 3 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date: November 17
- Game time: 8:25 p.m. EST/7:25 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), clear
- Game attendance: 73,288
- Referee: Pete Morelli
- TV announcers (NBC/NFLN/Twitter): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Heather Cox
- Recap, Gamebook
As part of Color Rush, the Saints wore all-white uniforms for this game, inspired by the ones they wore in 1975. Due to this, it was the first time the Saints have worn white pants since 1985 and the second season they wore all-white uniforms in franchise history, the first being the 1975 season. The Saints went into the fourth quarter with a 20-point deficit to the Panthers. The Saints rallied and got within three with 5:11 left to go in the game, but the Panthers were able to hold them off.
Week 12: vs. Los Angeles Rams
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rams | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Saints | 7 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 49 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: November 27
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 73,067
- Referee: John Hussey
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
- Recap, Gamebook
Week 13: vs. Detroit Lions
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lion | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Saints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: December 4
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
- Preview
Standings
Division
NFC South | |||||||||
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W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
Atlanta Falcons | 7 | 4 | 0 | .636 | 3–1 | 5–3 | 358 | 302 | W1 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6 | 5 | 0 | .545 | 2–1 | 5–3 | 249 | 264 | W3 |
New Orleans Saints | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | 1–2 | 4–3 | 334 | 306 | W1 |
Carolina Panthers | 4 | 7 | 0 | .364 | 1–3 | 4–4 | 276 | 282 | L1 |
Conference
# | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division leaders | |||||||||||
1 | Dallas Cowboys | East | 11 | 1 | 0 | .917 | 3–1 | 7–1 | .414 | .386 | W11 |
2 | Seattle Seahawks | West | 7 | 3 | 1 | .682 | 1–1–1 | 3–3–1 | .475 | .494 | L1 |
3[lower-alpha 1] | Detroit Lions | North | 7 | 4 | 0 | .636 | 2–2 | 5–2 | .431 | .437 | W3 |
4[lower-alpha 1] | Atlanta Falcons | South | 7 | 4 | 0 | .636 | 3–1 | 5–3 | .529 | .526 | W1 |
Wild Cards | |||||||||||
5 | New York Giants | East | 8 | 3 | 0 | .727 | 2–1 | 5–3 | .435 | .406 | W6 |
6 | Washington Redskins | East | 6 | 4 | 1 | .591 | 2–2 | 4–3 | .548 | .441 | L1 |
In the Hunt | |||||||||||
7 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 6 | 5 | 0 | .545 | 2–1 | 5–3 | .504 | .447 | W3 |
8 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 6 | 6 | 0 | .500 | 1–3 | 4–6 | .537 | .500 | L2 |
9[lower-alpha 2] | New Orleans Saints | South | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | 1–2 | 4–3 | .533 | .391 | W1 |
10[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3] | Green Bay Packers | North | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | 2–1 | 4–4 | .528 | .436 | W1 |
11[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3] | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 5 | 6 | 0 | .455 | 0–3 | 3–6 | .532 | .368 | L2 |
12 | Arizona Cardinals | West | 4 | 6 | 1 | .409 | 2–1–1 | 3–4–1 | .447 | .250 | L2 |
13[lower-alpha 4] | Carolina Panthers | South | 4 | 7 | 0 | .364 | 1–3 | 4–4 | .512 | .330 | L1 |
14[lower-alpha 4] | Los Angeles Rams | West | 4 | 7 | 0 | .364 | 2–1 | 3–5 | .488 | .477 | L2 |
15 | Chicago Bears | North | 2 | 9 | 0 | .182 | 2–1 | 2–5 | .540 | .565 | L3 |
Eliminated from postseason contention | |||||||||||
16 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 1 | 10 | 0 | .091 | 1–3 | 1–7 | .561 | .364 | L10 |
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 5] | |||||||||||
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Legend | |||||||||||
w — Clinched wild card | |||||||||||
x — Clinched playoff berth | |||||||||||
y — Clinched division | |||||||||||
z — Clinched first-round bye | |||||||||||
* — Clinched home-field advantage |
References
- ↑ Triplett, Mike (September 11, 2016). "Saints QB Drew Brees' 98-yard TD sets team mark in tough loss". ESPN. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ↑ "Bold call lifts Raiders past Saints, 35-34". NFL.com. Associated Press. September 11, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ↑ Wesseling, Chris (September 11, 2016). "Raiders upend Saints with gutsy two-point call". NFL.com. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ↑ Triplett, Mike (September 12, 2016). "Saints' defense has to get better, because it reached new low Sunday". ESPN. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ↑ The Sports Xchange (September 12, 2016). "New Orleans Saints defensive shortcomings prove costly in loss". United Press International. Retrieved September 12, 2016.