NFL team season
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 coach Sean 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]
Preseason
After three years of holding training camp at The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia , the Saints opted to move camp back to the team's headquarters facility in Metairie, Louisiana .[2]
Regular season
Schedule
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] 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]
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Minnesota Vikings
Game information
First quarter NO – Wil Lutz 43-yard field goal, 8:21. Saints 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 56 yards, 6:39.
MIN – Kai Forbath 24-yard field goal, 1:01. Tied 3–3. Drive: 14 plays, 78 yards, 7:20. Second quarter NO – Wil Lutz 21-yard field goal, 5:26. Saints 6–3. Drive: 13 plays, 74 yards, 6:49.
MIN – Stefon Diggs 18-yard pass from Sam Bradford (Kai Forbath kick), 4:08. Vikings 10–6. Drive: 3 plays, 74 yards, 1:18.
MIN – Stefon Diggs 2-yard pass from Sam Bradford (kick failed, wide right), 0:03. Vikings 16–6. Drive: 10 plays, 95 yards, 1:40. Third quarter MIN – Kai Forbath 32-yard field goal, 11:07. Vikings 19–6. Drive: 8 plays, 54 yards, 3:53.
NO – Wil Lutz 24-yard field goal, 2:43. Vikings 19–9. Drive: 8 plays, 83 yards, 2:46. Fourth quarter MIN – Kyle Rudolph 15-yard pass from Sam Bradford (Kai Forbath kick), 12:52. Vikings 26–9. Drive: 9 plays, 89 yards, 4:51.
NO – Wil Lutz 20-yard field goal, 7:49. Vikings 26–12. Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards, 5:03.
MIN – Kai Forbath 45-yard field goal, 4:00. Vikings 29–12. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 3:49.
NO – Coby Fleener 8-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 1:56. Vikings 29–19. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:04.
Top passers Top rushers Top receivers Top tacklers
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
Game information
First quarter
NE – Rex Burkhead 19-yard pass from Tom Brady (kick failed, hit left upright), 10:31. Patriots 6–0. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:29.
NO – Wil Lutz 46-yard field goal, 7:43. Patriots 6–3. Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 2:53.
NE – Rob Gronkowski 53-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 5:42. Patriots 13–3. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:09.
NE – Chris Hogan 13-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 0:16. Patriots 20–3. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 3:53. Second quarter
NO – Brandon Coleman 5-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 11:52. Patriots 20–10. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:24.
NO – Wil Lutz 35-yard field goal, 8:23. Patriots 20–13. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 2:13.
NE – Mike Gillislee 2-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 4:52. Patriots 27–13. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:31.
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 28-yard field goal, 0:02. Patriots 30–13. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 2:23. Third quarter
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 24-yard field goal, 0:44. Patriots 33–13. Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 4:15. Fourth quarter
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 27-yard field goal, 8:54. Patriots 36–13. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 5:30.
NO – Coby Fleener 4-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 5:04. Patriots 36–20. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:45.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
The Saints lose to the defending Super Bowl champions, New England Patriots, thus dropping their record to 0-2.
Week 3: at Carolina Panthers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
CAR – Graham Gano 48-yard field goal, 10:52. Saints 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 4:36.
NO – Brandon Coleman 11-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 5:48. Saints 14–6. Drive: 4 plays, 24 yards, 2:08.
NO – Wil Lutz 33-yard field goal, 0:05. Saints 17–6. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 4:43. Third quarter
NO – Ted Ginn Jr. 40-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 11:18. Saints 24–6. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:51.
CAR – Cam Newton 3-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 1:26. Saints 24–13. Drive: 7 plays, 83 yards, 4:11. Fourth quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 50-yard field goal, 12:03. Saints 27–13. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 4:21.
NO – Alvin Kamara 25-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 4:50. Saints 34–13. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 2:16.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
The Saints gain their first victory of the season against the Carolina Panthers. They improve to 1-2.
Week 4: at Miami Dolphins
NFL London Games
Week Four: New Orleans Saints at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Saints 0
3
7 10 20
Dolphins
0
0
0 0 0
at Wembley Stadium , London, England
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 43-yard field goal, 0:00. Saints 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 25 yards, 1:10. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 45-yard field goal, 12:32. Saints 13–0. Drive: 12 plays, 34 yards, 6:37.
NO – Alvin Kamara 12-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 3:57. Saints 20–0. Drive: 11 plays, 87 yards, 5:41.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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
Game information
First quarter
NO – Kenny Vaccaro fumble recovery in end zone (Wil Lutz kick), 11:02. Saints 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, -2 yards, 0:54.
DET – Golden Tate 45-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 7:02. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:00.
NO – Ted Ginn Jr. 20-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 4:56. Saints 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 2:06.
NO – Wil Lutz 41-yard field goal, 0:04. Saints 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 3:50. Second quarter
NO – Mark Ingram II 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 10:46. Saints 24–7. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 2:55.
DET – Matt Prater 41-yard field goal, 6:38. Saints 24–10. Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 4:08.
NO – Mark Ingram II 2-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 1:48. Saints 31–10. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:50. Third quarter
NO – Michael Hoomanawanui 2-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:17. Saints 38–10. Drive: 7 plays, 54 yards, 3:18.
NO – Marshon Lattimore 27-yard interception return (Wil Lutz kick), 8:34. Saints 45–10. Drive: 2 plays, 2 yards, 0:43.
DET – Marvin Jones Jr. 22-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 5:56. Saints 45–17. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:38.
DET – Darren Fells 22-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 1:21. Saints 45–24. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 3:16. Fourth quarter
DET – Jamal Agnew 74-yard punt return (Matt Prater kick), 11:03. Saints 45–31.
DET – A'Shawn Robinson 2-yard interception return (Matt Prater kick), 6:41. Saints 45–38. Drive: 2 plays, -4 yards, 0:48.
NO – Cameron Jordan interception in end zone (Wil Lutz), 5:04. Saints 52–38. Drive: 2 plays, 0 yards, 0:07.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Saints 0
7
9 10 26
Packers
7
7
0 3 17
at Lambeau Field , Green Bay, Wisconsin
Date : October 22Game time : 12:00 pm. CDTGame weather : 52 °F (11 °C), rainGame attendance : 78,380Referee : Jerome Boger TV announcers (Fox) : Kenny Albert, Charles Davis and Pam OliverRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter Second quarter NO – Mark Ingram II 12-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:35. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 3:13.
GB – Brett Hundley 14-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 08:45. Packers 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:54. Third quarter NO – Brandon Coleman 22-yard pass from Drew Brees , 11:29. Packers 14–13. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 3:36.
NO – Wil Lutz 28-yard field goal, 4:12. Saints 16–14. Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 4:40. Fourth quarter GB – Mason Crosby 46-yard field goal, 14:50. Packers 17–16. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 4:18.
NO – Wil Lutz 44-yard field goal, 10:26. Saints 19–17. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 4:29.
NO – Drew Brees 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 4:57. Saints 26–17. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 3:30.
Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
Week 8: vs. Chicago Bears
Week Eight: Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Bears
0
3
3 6 12
Saints 7
7
0 6 20
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
CHI – Connor Barth 27-yard field goal, 14:52. Saints 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 5:25.
NO – Mark Ingram II 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 3:41. Saints 14–3. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:30. Third quarter
CHI – Connor Barth 44-yard field goal, 5:42. Saints 14–6. Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:31. Fourth quarter -
NO – Wil Lutz 45-yard field goal, 12:54. Saints 17–6. Drive: 7 plays, 26 yards, 2:26.
CHI – Tarik Cohen 1-yard run (pass failed), 3:58. Saints 17–12. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 3:34.
NO – Wil Lutz 49-yard field goal, 1:35. Saints 20–12. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 0:16.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Nine: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Buccaneers
0
3
0 7 10
Saints 9
7
14 0 30
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Date : November 5Game time : 12:00 pm. CSTGame weather : Played indoors (dome stadium)Game attendance : 73,121Referee : Bill VinovichTV announcers (Fox) : Thom Brennaman , Chris Spielman and Peter SchragerRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 40-yard field goal, 8:49. Saints 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 6:11.
NO – Justin Hardee 7-yard return of block punt (kick blocked), 6:31. Saints 9–0. Second quarter
TB – Patrick Murray 50-yard field goal, 2:57. Saints 9–3. Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 5:44.
NO – Alvin Kamara 33-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:55. Saints 16–3. Drive: 7 plays, 93 yards, 2:02. Third quarter
NO – Alvin Kamara 6-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 9:59. Saints 23–3. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 3:31.
NO – Ted Ginn Jr. 36-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:39. Saints 30–3. Drive: 1 plays, 36 yards, 0:07. Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 10: at Buffalo Bills
Week Ten: New Orleans Saints at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Saints 7
10
20 10 47
Bills
3
0
0 7 10
at New Era Field , Orchard Park, New York
Date : November 12Game time : 1:00 pm. EST/12:00 pm. CSTGame weather : 42 °F (6 °C), cloudyGame attendance : 67,501Referee : Terry McAulay TV announcers (Fox) : Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Kristina PinkRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
BUF – Stephen Hauschka 37-yard field goal, 10:58. Bills 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 4:02.
NO – Mark Ingram II 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 6:18. Saints 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:40. Second quarter
NO – Mark Ingram II 3-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 9:03. Saints 14–3. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 4:47.
NO – Wil Lutz 23-yard field goal, 1:39. Saints 17–3. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:04. Third quarter
NO – Alvin Kamara 5-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 9:40. Saints 24–3. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:20.
NO – Mark Ingram II 3-yard run (Wil Lutz PAT failed), 8:24. Saints 30–3. Drive: 1 play, 3 yards, 0:05.
NO – Drew Brees 7-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 0:22. Saints 37–3. Drive: 10 plays, 94 yards, 6:33. Fourth quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 53-yard field goal, 4:53. Saints 40–3. Drive: 14 plays, 38 yards, 9:25.
NO – Trey Edmunds 41-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 3:04. Saints 47–3. Drive: 2 plays, 44 yards, 0:51.
BUF – Nick O'Leary 7-yard pass from Nathan Peterman (Stephen Hauschka kick), 1:54. Saints 47–10. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:10.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 11: vs. Washington Redskins
Week Eleven: Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Redskins
10
7
7 7 0 31
Saints 10
3
0 18 3 34
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
First quarter
WSH – Nick Rose 38-yard field goal, 11:40. Redskins 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 27 yards, 2:11.
NO – Wil Lutz 52-yard field goal, 5:30. Tied 3–3. Drive: 11 plays, 48 yards, 6:10.
WSH – Chris Thompson 16-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Nick Rose kick), 2:11. Redskins 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:19.
NO – Mark Ingram II 36-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 0:35. Tied 10–10. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 1:36. Second quarter
WSH – Samaje Perine 1-yard run (Nick Rose kick), 10:44. Redskins 17–10. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:51.
NO – Wil Lutz 29-yard field goal, 0:00. Redskins 17–13. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 1:39. Third quarter
WSH – Ryan Grant 40-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Nick Rose kick), 1:37. Redskins 24–13. Drive: 12 plays, 94 yards, 5:44. Fourth quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 42-yard field goal, 9:19. Redskins 24–16. Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 2:02.
WSH – Jeremy Sprinkle 7-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Nick Rose kick), 5:58. Redskins 31–16. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:21.
NO – Josh Hill 3-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 2:53. Redskins 31–23. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:05.
NO – Alvin Kamara 18-yard pass from Drew Brees (Alvin Kamara run for two-point conversion), 1:05. Tied 31–31. Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards, 1:05. Overtime NO – Wil Lutz 28-yard field goal, 7:25. Saints 34–31. Drive: 3 plays, 51 yards, 1:29.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
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
Game information
First quarter
LAR – Sammy Watkins 5-yard pass from Jared Goff (Greg Zuerlein kick), 10:53. Rams 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 4:07.
LAR – Greg Zuerlein 50-yard field goal, 3:02. Rams 10–0. Drive: 11 plays, 51 yards, 5:28.
NO – Alvin Kamara 74-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 2:14. Rams 10–7. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:48. Second quarter
LAR – Josh Reynolds 7-yard pass from Jared Goff (Greg Zuerlein kick), 4:22. Rams 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 86 yards, 4:18.
NO – Wil Lutz 50-yard field goal, 0:58. Rams 17–10. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 3:24. Third quarter
LAR – Greg Zuerlein 46-yard field goal, 3:37. Rams 20–10. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 3:13. Fourth quarter
LAR – Greg Zuerlein 49-yard field goal, 14:11. Rams 23–10. Drive: 6 plays, 50 yards, 3:20.
NO – Wil Lutz 21-yard field goal, 10:05. Rams 23–13. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 4:06.
LAR – Greg Zuerlein 26-yard field goal, 2:27. Rams 26–13. Drive: 13 plays, 67 yards, 5:28.
NO – Alvin Kamara 15-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 1:45. Rams 26–20. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 0:42.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
The Saints weren't able to beat the Rams, thus dropping to 8-3.
Week 13: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week Thirteen: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Panthers
7
7
0 7 21
Saints 7
14
7 3 31
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NO – Mark Ingram II 3-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 11:32. Saints 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 84 yards, 1:36.
NO – Michael Thomas 10-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 7:21. Saints 21–7. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 3:18.
CAR – Christian McCaffrey 21-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 1:56. Saints 21–14. Drive: 4 plays, 45 yards, 1:54. Third quarter
NO – Alvin Kamara 20-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 8:10. Saints 28–14. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 5:04. Fourth quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 31-yard field goal, 6:08. Saints 31–14. Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 2:47.
CAR – Devin Funchess 24-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 3:57. Saints 31–21. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:11.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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
Game information
First quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 34-yard field goal, 9:50. Saints 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 5:10.
ATL – Matt Bryant 28-yard field goal, 5:33. Tied 3–3. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 4:17. Second quarter
ATL – Devonta Freeman 1-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 4:29. Falcons 10–3. Drive: 15 plays, 90 yards, 8:27.
NO – Tommylee Lewis 26-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 1:53. Tied 10–10. Drive: 5 plays, 66 yards, 2:36. Third quarter
NO – Michael Thomas 1-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 13:10. Saints 17–10. Drive: 4 plays, 29 yards, 1:36. Fourth quarter
ATL – Mohamed Sanu 8-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 9:55. Tied 17–17. Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 7:06.
ATL – Matt Bryant 52-yard field goal, 3:49. Falcons 20–17. Drive: 8 plays, 38 yards, 3:57.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
After a costly Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty committed by Sean Payton, the Saints were defeated by the Falcons. They fell to 9-4.
Week 15: vs. New York Jets
Week Fifteen: New York Jets at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Jets
0
10
3 6 19
Saints 10
7
0 14 31
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
First quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 23-yard field goal, 11:36. Saints 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 3:24.
NO – Mark Ingram II 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 3:07. Saints 10–0. Drive: 13 plays, 82 yards, 5:25. Second quarter
NYJ – Bilal Powell 2-yard run (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 10:58. Saints 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 7:09.
NO – Alvin Kamara 10-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 6:12. Saints 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:46.
NYJ – Chandler Catanzaro 29-yard field goal, 0:09. Saints 17–10. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 1:05. Third quarter
NYJ – Chandler Catanzaro 26-yard field goal, 8:07. Saints 17–13. Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 3:49. Fourth quarter
NO – Michael Thomas 4-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 7:39. Saints 24–13. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 4:43.
NYJ – Elijah McGuire 2-yard pass from Bryce Petty (pass failed), 1:51. Saints 24–19. Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 1:32.
NO – Mark Ingram II 50-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 1:33. Saints 31–19. Drive: 2 plays, 55 yards, 0:18.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
The Saints beat the Jets for the first time since the 2009 Season, improving their record to 10-4.
Week 16: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week Sixteen: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Falcons
0
0
3 10 13
Saints 3
10
7 3 23
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Date : December 24Game time : 12:00 pm. CSTGame weather : Played indoors (dome stadium)Game attendance : 73,188Referee : Pete Morelli TV announcers (Fox) : Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis and Pam OliverRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 40-yard field goal, 7:31. Saints 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 40 yards, 4:04. Second quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 29-yard field goal, 1:19. Saints 6–0. Drive: 16 plays, 68 yards, 8:21.
NO – Ted Ginn Jr. 54-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 0:14. Saints 13–0. Drive: 3 plays, 64 yards, 0:36. Third quarter
ATL – Matt Bryant 37-yard field goal, 9:34. Saints 13–3. Drive: 7 plays, 29 yards, 2:23.
NO – Mark Ingram II 26-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 2:52. Saints 20–3. Drive: 4 plays, 54 yards, 2:01. Fourth quarter
ATL – Matt Bryant 48-yard field goal, 10:18. Saints 20–6. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 1:06.
NO – Wil Lutz 45-yard field goal, 3:38. Saints 23–6. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 0:22.
ATL – Tevin Coleman 14-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 2:40. Saints 23–13. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 0:58.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
The Saints meet the Falcons again, but this time, they beat them by 10 points. This also brought their record up to 11-4.
Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Seventeen: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Saints
14
0
3 7 24
Buccaneers 7
6
0 18 31
at Raymond James Stadium , Tampa, Florida
Date : December 31Game time : 4:25 pm. EST/3:25 pm. CSTGame weather : 71 °F (22 °C), clearGame attendance : 55,376Referee : Walt Anderson TV announcers (Fox) : Thom Brennaman, Chris Spielman and Peter SchragerRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
TB – Peyton Barber 1-yard run (Patrick Murray kick), 9:42. Buccaneers 7–0. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 5:18.
NO – Alvin Kamara 106-yard kickoff return (Wil Lutz kick), 9:29. Tied 7–7.
NO – Alvin Kamara 7-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 2:36. Saints 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 3:24. Second quarter
TB – Jameis Winston 1-yard run (kick failed), 5:50. Saints 14–13. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:15. Third quarter
NO – Wil Lutz 48-yard field goal, 2:44. Saints 17–13. Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 5:18. Fourth quarter
TB – Isaiah Johnson 7-yard fumble return (Patrick Murray kick), 14:04. Buccaneers 20–17.
NO – Zach Line 3-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 7:07. Saints 24–20. Drive: 13 plays, 92 yards, 6:57.
TB – Patrick Murray 42-yard field goal, 4:31. Saints 24–23. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 2:36.
TB – Chris Godwin 39-yard pass from Jameis Winston (Jameis Winston-Mike Evans pass), 0:09. Buccaneers 31–24. Drive: 11 plays, 95 yards, 1:49.
Top passers
NO – Drew Brees – 22/30, 245 yards, TD
TB – Jameis Winston – 28/51, 363 yards, TD, 3 INT Top rushers
NO – Alvin Kamara – 9 carries, 44 yards, TD
TB – Peyton Barber – 17 carries, 71 yards, TD Top receivers
NO – Michael Thomas – 6 receptions, 94 yards
TB – Chris Godwin – 7 receptions, 111 yards, TD Top tacklers
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.
Standings
Division
Conference
#
Team
Division
W
L
T
PCT
DIV
CONF
SOS
SOV
STK
Division leaders
1[a]
Philadelphia Eagles
East
13
3
0
.813
5–1
10–2
.461
.433
L1
2[a]
Minnesota Vikings
North
13
3
0
.813
5–1
10–2
.492
.447
W3
3[b]
Los Angeles Rams
West
11
5
0
.688
4–2
7–5
.504
.460
L1
4[b] [c]
New Orleans Saints
South
11
5
0
.688
4–2
8–4
.535
.483
L1
Wild Cards
5[c]
Carolina Panthers
South
11
5
0
.688
3–3
7–5
.539
.500
L1
6
Atlanta Falcons
South
10
6
0
.625
4–2
9–3
.543
.475
W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[d]
Detroit Lions
North
9
7
0
.563
5–1
8–4
.496
.368
W1
8[d]
Seattle Seahawks
West
9
7
0
.563
4–2
7–5
.492
.444
L1
9[d]
Dallas Cowboys
East
9
7
0
.563
5–1
7–5
.496
.438
W1
10
Arizona Cardinals
West
8
8
0
.500
3–3
5–7
.488
.406
W2
11[e]
Green Bay Packers
North
7
9
0
.438
2–4
5–7
.539
.357
L3
12[e]
Washington Redskins
East
7
9
0
.438
1–5
5–7
.539
.429
L1
13
San Francisco 49ers
West
6
10
0
.375
1–5
3–9
.512
.438
W5
14[f]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
South
5
11
0
.313
1–5
3–9
.555
.375
W1
15[f]
Chicago Bears
North
5
11
0
.313
0–6
1–11
.559
.500
L1
16
New York Giants
East
3
13
0
.188
1–5
1–11
.531
.458
W1
Tiebreakers [g]
^ a b Philadelphia 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.
^ a b LA Rams claimed the No. 3 seed over New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
^ a b New Orleans clinched the NFC South division over Carolina based on head-to-head sweep.
^ a b c Detroit finished ahead of Dallas and Seattle based on conference record, while Seattle finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
^ a b Green 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.
^ a b Tampa 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.
Postseason
NFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (5) Carolina Panthers
Game information
1st quarter 2nd quarter CAR – Graham Gano 27-yard field goal, 14:12. Saints 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 2:34.
NO – Josh Hill 9-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:04. Saints 14–3. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:08.
CAR – Graham Gano 39-yard field goal, 2:47. Saints 14–6. Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards, 6:17.
NO – Zach Line 1-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 0:43. Saints 21–6. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:04.
CAR – Graham Gano 58-yard field goal, 0:00. Saints 21–9. Drive: 5 plays, 35 yards, 0:43. 3rd quarter CAR – Graham Gano 29-yard field goal, 10:58. Saints 21–12. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 4:02.
NO – Wil Lutz 57-yard field goal, 6:05. Saints 24–12. Drive: 10 plays, 36 yards, 4:53. 4th quarter CAR – Greg Olsen 14-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 12:47. Saints 24–19. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:45.
NO – Alvin Kamara 2-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 5:08. Saints 31–19. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 3:02.
CAR – Christian McCaffrey 56-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 4:09. Saints 31–26. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:59.
Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
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.
NFC Divisional Playoffs: at (2) Minnesota Vikings
NFC Divisional Playoffs: (4) New Orleans Saints at (2) Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Saints
0
0
7 17 24
Vikings 10
7
0 12 29
at U.S. Bank Stadium , Minneapolis , Minnesota
Date : January 14, 2018Game time : 3:40 pm. CSTGame weather : Played indoors (dome stadium)Game attendance : 66,612Referee : Gene SteratoreTV announcers (Fox) : Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Chris MyersRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter MIN – Jerick McKinnon 14-yard run (Kai Forbath kick), 9:45. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 4:15.
MIN – Kai Forbath 20-yard field goal, 4:42. Vikings 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 2:27. Second quarter MIN – Latavius Murray 1-yard run (Kai Forbath kick), 9:58. Vikings 17–0. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 6:08. Third quarter Fourth quarter NO – Michael Thomas 3-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 13:19. Vikings 17–14. Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 3:00.
MIN – Kai Forbath 49-yard field goal, 10:12. Vikings 20–14. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 2:57.
NO – Alvin Kamara 14-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 3:01. Saints 21–20. Drive: 4 plays, 40 yards, 2:20.
MIN – Kai Forbath 53-yard field goal, 1:29. Vikings 23–21. Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 1:32.
NO – Wil Lutz 43-yard field goal, 0:25. Saints 24–23. Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards, 1:04.
MIN – Stefon Diggs 61-yard pass from Case Keenum (run failed), 0:00. Vikings 29–24. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 0:25.
Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
Wembley Stadium (London)
