The 2016 season was the New Orleans Saints' 50th in the National Football League (NFL), their 41st playing home games at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and their 10th under head coach Sean Payton. The Saints matched their 7–9 record from 2014 and 2015, and missed the playoffs for the third year in a row. One highlight from the season includes quarterback Drew Brees' first return to San Diego for the first time since the Chargers released him at the end of the 2005 season, also where Brees played his first five seasons in. This came 10 years after the Chargers released Brees after the Saints' previous regular season meetings with the Chargers were home games for the Saints, and including a 2008 meeting at Wembley Stadium in London, a game which New Orleans was designated as the home team.
2016 New Orleans Saints season | |
---|---|
Owner | Tom Benson |
General manager | Mickey Loomis |
Head coach | Sean Payton |
Offensive coordinator | Pete Carmichael Jr. |
Defensive coordinator | Dennis Allen |
Home field | Mercedes-Benz Superdome |
Results | |
Record | 7–9 |
Division place | 3rd NFC South |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | Drew Brees (QB) |
Uniform | |
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Draft
editRound | Selection | Player | Position | College |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 12 | Sheldon Rankins | DT | Louisville |
2 | 47 | Michael Thomas | WR | Ohio St. |
2 | 61 | Vonn Bell | S | Ohio St. |
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 (61st 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
edit
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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Final roster
editSchedule
editPreseason
editWeek | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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
editWeek | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 11 | Oakland Raiders | L 34–35 | 0–1 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
2 | September 18 | at New York Giants | L 13–16 | 0–2 | MetLife Stadium | Recap |
3 | September 26 | Atlanta Falcons | L 32–45 | 0–3 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
4 | October 2 | at San Diego Chargers | W 35–34 | 1–3 | Qualcomm Stadium | Recap |
5 | Bye | |||||
6 | October 16 | Carolina Panthers | W 41–38 | 2–3 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
7 | October 23 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 21–27 | 2–4 | Arrowhead Stadium | Recap |
8 | October 30 | Seattle Seahawks | W 25–20 | 3–4 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
9 | November 6 | at San Francisco 49ers | W 41–23 | 4–4 | Levi's Stadium | Recap |
10 | November 13 | Denver Broncos | L 23–25 | 4–5 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
11 | November 17 | at Carolina Panthers | L 20–23 | 4–6 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
12 | November 27 | Los Angeles Rams | W 49–21 | 5–6 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
13 | December 4 | Detroit Lions | L 13–28 | 5–7 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
14 | December 11 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 11–16 | 5–8 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap |
15 | December 18 | at Arizona Cardinals | W 48–41 | 6–8 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap |
16 | December 24 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 31–24 | 7–8 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
17 | January 1 | at Atlanta Falcons | L 32–38 | 7–9 | Georgia Dome | Recap |
Game summaries
editWeek 1: vs. Oakland Raiders
editQuarter | 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
editQuarter | 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
Game information | ||
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Week 3: vs. Atlanta Falcons
editQuarter | 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
Game information | ||
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Week 4: at San Diego Chargers
editQuarter | 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
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
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
editQuarter | 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
Game information | ||
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Week 7: at Kansas City Chiefs
editQuarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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
Game information | ||
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Week 8: vs. Seattle Seahawks
editQuarter | 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
Game information | ||
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The Saints meet the Seahawks for the first time in 3 years. It was also the Saints' first victory against Seattle since the 2010 season.
Week 9: at San Francisco 49ers
editQuarter | 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
Game information | ||
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The Saints travel to Levi's Stadium to match up with the 49ers. For the first time since the 2013 season, the Saints defeated the 49ers.
Week 10: vs. Denver Broncos
editQuarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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
Game information | ||
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Week 11: at Carolina Panthers
editQuarter | 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
Game information | ||
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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.[citation needed] 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
editQuarter | 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
Game information | ||
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The Saints were able to defeat the Rams for the first time since the 2010 season.
Week 13: vs. Detroit Lions
editQuarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lions | 3 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 28 |
Saints | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
To celebrate 50 seasons in the NFL, the Saints wore special 1967–75 throwback uniforms. It was only worn for this game.
Week 14: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
editQuarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saints | 0 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
Buccaneers | 3 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 16 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: December 11
- Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 62,140
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Chris Spielman and Peter Schrager
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
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Week 15: at Arizona Cardinals
editQuarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saints | 10 | 14 | 3 | 21 | 48 |
Cardinals | 7 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 41 |
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: December 18
- Game time: 3:05 p.m. CST/2:05 p.m. MST
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 65,072
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
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With the win against Arizona, the Saints improved to 6-8. This also marked the only season in which the Saints swept the NFC West division.
Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
editQuarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 0 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 24 |
Saints | 7 | 6 | 15 | 3 | 31 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Week 17: at Atlanta Falcons
editQuarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saints | 10 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 32 |
Falcons | 14 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 38 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: January 1, 2017
- Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 70,835
- Referee: Ronald Torbert
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information | ||
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Because the Saints lost to the Falcons, they finish the season with a 7-9 record for the third straight season. The Saints were also swept by the Falcons for the first time since the 2014 season.
Standings
editDivision
editNFC South | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
(2) Atlanta Falcons | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 9–3 | 540 | 406 | W4 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4–2 | 7–5 | 354 | 369 | W1 |
New Orleans Saints | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 6–6 | 469 | 454 | L1 |
Carolina Panthers | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 1–5 | 5–7 | 369 | 402 | L2 |
Conference
edit# | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division leaders | |||||||||||
1 | Dallas Cowboys | East | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 3–3 | 9–3 | .471 | .440 | L1 |
2 | Atlanta Falcons | South | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .480 | .452 | W4 |
3 | Seattle Seahawks | West | 10 | 5 | 1 | .656 | 3–2–1 | 6–5–1 | .441 | .425 | W1 |
4 | Green Bay Packers | North | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 5–1 | 8–4 | .508 | .453 | W6 |
Wild Cards | |||||||||||
5 | New York Giants | East | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .486 | .455 | W1 |
6[a] | Detroit Lions | North | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 3–3 | 7–5 | .475 | .392 | L3 |
Did not qualify for the postseason | |||||||||||
7[a] | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .492 | .434 | W1 |
8 | Washington Redskins | East | 8 | 7 | 1 | .531 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .516 | .430 | L1 |
9 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .492 | .457 | W1 |
10 | Arizona Cardinals | West | 7 | 8 | 1 | .469 | 4–1–1 | 6–5–1 | .463 | .366 | W2 |
11[b] | New Orleans Saints | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .523 | .393 | L1 |
12[b] | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .559 | .518 | W2 |
13 | Carolina Panthers | South | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 1–5 | 5–7 | .518 | .354 | L2 |
14 | Los Angeles Rams | West | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 2–4 | 3–9 | .504 | .500 | L7 |
15 | Chicago Bears | North | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 2–4 | 3–9 | .521 | .396 | L4 |
16 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 2–4 | 2–10 | .504 | .250 | L1 |
Tiebreakers[c] | |||||||||||
|
References
edit- ^ 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.