Expect snow in September, a Week 16 home opener, and a couple of hallucinogenic games
New Orleans Saints training camp is set to begin, and fans are eager to get a look at their team after an eventful offseason. First-year head coach Kellen Moore replaces Dennis Allen. Either Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, or Jake Haener replaces Derek Carr at quarterback. The schedule starts tough but lightens up in the second half, and while expectations are low, the Saints could surprise some people.
Large language models and AI are a hot point of discussions these days, so we asked the xAI chatbot Grok to make its predictions about how this year could go for New Orleans. We had to run this a couple of times; Grok hallucinated a Week 16 prime-time game with the Denver Broncos (which the Saints won) and a Week 18 road trip with the Green Bay Packers (which New Orleans lost) that do not exist, scrambling the order of games played after the bye week. It needed a reminder to make predictions for this year’s New York Jets and Tennessee Titans games to be played in Weeks 16 and 17, too.
Still, here are the results Grok regurgitated for us after taking material from outlets like ESPN, Fox Sports, Pro Football Focus, Sporting News, NFL.com, and several of our own articles here at Saints Wire:
Reasoning: The Saints have won their last six season openers, the longest active streak in the NFL. At home in the Caesars Superdome, Kellen Moore’s new offensive scheme gives the Saints an edge against a middling Cardinals team. As 3.5-point underdogs, they pull off a close victory with a late field goal, capitalizing on Arizona’s defensive inconsistencies.
This is a reasonable take; we’ve talked before about how Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray hasn’t beaten a defense coached by Saints coordinator Brandon Staley. Starting the year with a win would be a great thing for Moore and New Orleans.
Week 2: Loss vs. San Francisco 49ers, 31-17 (1-1)
Reasoning: The 49ers, despite 2024 injuries, remain a playoff-caliber team with a strong defense and Brock Purdy’s efficiency. The Saints’ young quarterback struggles against San Francisco’s pass rush, and their 24th-ranked EPA defense (2024) can’t contain the 49ers’ balanced attack, leading to a double-digit loss at home
This wouldn’t be too surprising, though Staley’s experience as an assistant in San Francisco last year could give the Saints an edge in guarding all of their different weapons on offense. If the 49ers are healthy, they’re a better team (on paper) than the Saints. But none of that matters once the game kicks off.
Week 3: Loss at Seattle Seahawks, 27-14 (1-2)
Reasoning: Seattle’s raucous home crowd at Lumen Field and their defensive front disrupt the Saints’ inexperienced offensive line. Despite winning the last four matchups against Seattle, New Orleans struggles with cross-country travel and a young roster, resulting in a comfortable Seahawks victory.
This is an interesting game. Seattle swung big on remaking their offense this summer; they hired former Saints play caller Klint Kubiak and brought in Sam Darnold after his first good year while getting rid of their best receivers. These teams are more evenly matched (and full of unknowns, “ifs” and “buts”) than you’d first think.
Week 4: Loss at Buffalo Bills, 34-20 (1-3)
Reasoning: Buffalo, a 2024 playoff team, is led by Josh Allen’s dynamic offense. The Saints’ defense, which allowed 25.3 points per game in 2024, struggles to contain Buffalo’s attack in a cold-weather road game. The Saints keep it competitive early but fade late against a superior opponent.
Everyone is expecting this one to be a loss given the disparity between the two teams. Allen is the reining league MVP and three quarters of good football would be really encouraging out of New Orleans. Buffalo can be a cold-weather road game, but not in September.
Week 5: Win vs. New York Giants, 23-16 (2-3)
Reasoning: The Giants, projected at 5.9 wins by PFF, are among the NFL’s weaker teams. At home, the Saints leverage their crowd and Moore’s play-calling to outmaneuver Russell Wilson’s inconsistent offense. A late defensive stop seals a narrow victory.
This should be a win for the Saints, and it comes at a good time after a series of tough losses. But will it be Wilson starting in Week 5 or is Jaxson Dart going to see the field sooner than we think (and should we really rule out Jameis Winston)?
Week 6: Win vs. New England Patriots, 20-13 (3-3)
Reasoning: The Patriots, rebuilding with rookie Drake Maye, lack offensive firepower. The Saints’ home advantage and Moore’s creative schemes exploit New England’s inexperience. The defense, led by veterans like Demario Davis, forces turnovers to secure a low-scoring win.
Maye isn’t a rookie; he made the Pro Bowl after throwing only 338 passes last season. But it should be a disappointment if the Saints can’t win these two home games back-to-back.
Week 7: Loss at Chicago Bears, 24-17 (3-4)
Reasoning: Chicago’s young quarterback Caleb Williams and an improving roster pose problems for the Saints’ aging defense. Playing in cold weather at Soldier Field, New Orleans struggles to protect their quarterback, and the Bears pull away in the second half for a one-score win.
Grok made too much of the weather; Chicago can be cold in mid-October, but it trends closer to “cool” with the first real snowfall not expected until Halloween. If the Saints are bad this year, it’ll be because their quarterback (whoever he is) is taking hits and not making plays. The offensive line could be outmatched by Montez Sweat and new arrival Grady Jarrett, an old rival with the Atlanta Falcons.
Reasoning: Tampa Bay, a 2024 playoff team, has dominated the NFC South with Baker Mayfield’s steady play. The Saints’ first divisional game is competitive, but Tampa’s balanced roster and experience prevail in a close contest at the Superdome.
Beating the Bucs will do a lot to prove everything the Saints say about themselves is right; but until they can knock off the defending division champs, we’ll have to see it to believe it.
Week 9: Loss at Los Angeles Rams, 30-20 (3-6)
Reasoning: The Rams, another 2024 playoff team, feature a potent offense led by Matthew Stafford and a strong coaching staff. The Saints’ defense struggles on the road, and the cross-country trip to Los Angeles results in a 10-point loss as the Rams exploit mismatches.
This losing skid is turning into a problem. It risks putting the Saints too far behind their competition in the NFC South, but that’s assuming those other teams will be better than last year. The Buccaneers were a four-win team after Week 9 last season, while the Panthers had only won two games. The Falcons were on top with six wins but couldn’t keep up that momentum.
Reasoning: The Panthers, projected at 6.9 wins, are a slight step above the Saints but remain a winnable divisional opponent. A close game comes down to the wire, with the Saints’ improving offense, led by Shough or Rattler, securing a crucial road win with a late field goal.
This could be a must-win game for the Saints. Going into the bye week with seven losses in their first ten games would essentially doom their hopes of climbing the ladder in the NFC South, and a loss to the Panthers (even if it’s on the road) would be demoralizing. It’s what got Dennis Allen fired a year ago.
Week 11: Bye
Note: The bye allows Moore to refine the offense and integrate young players, setting up a pivotal second half as the team fights for a .500 record.
According to these predictions, the Saints would be 4-6 at their bye week. Last year, they came out of Week 11 at 4-7; the year before, they were 5-5. They were 4-7 again in 2022, and 5-5 again in 2021. They haven’t had a winning record after Week 11 since the 2020 season, when Drew Brees led them to an 8-2 tally in his last year on the team.
Week 12: Loss vs. Atlanta Falcons, 27-23 (4-7)
Reasoning: The Falcons, projected at 8.0 wins with Michael Penix Jr., are a tougher divisional foe. The Saints-Falcons rivalry produces a tight game, but Atlanta’s stronger roster and coaching edge lead to a narrow road victory in a high-scoring affair.
Well this is discouraging. From this point on every game becomes a must-win for the Saints if they’re hoping to salvage the season and end their playoffs drought. Atlanta finally invested in their defense this offseason by Penix is largely an unknown quantity after throwing just 105 passes across three starts (going 1-2 in the process).
Week 13: Loss at Miami Dolphins, 31-17 (4-8)
Reasoning: Miami’s high-octane offense, led by Tua Tagovailoa, overwhelms the Saints’ defense on the road. The Dolphins’ speed and home advantage prove too much, and New Orleans struggles to keep pace, resulting in a two-score loss.
The Dolphins are a dangerous team on their home turf, with one of the wildest splits between road games and matchups in South Florida: Mike McDaniel is 18-7 at home but only 10-16 away, and the Saints have the misfortune of playing visitors for the first time since 2009. They may not be built for a track meet with the Miami offense.
Week 14: Loss at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 30-21 (4-9)
Reasoning: Tampa Bay’s playoff-caliber roster dominates at home. The Saints’ defense struggles to stop Tampa’s passing attack, and the offense can’t keep up, resulting in a loss that effectively ends postseason chances.
This would be the point where Saints fans start looking at draft prospects and hoping for a higher pick. New Orleans may not be eliminated at this point but you have to think it would be close to certain that their playoffs drought continues.
Week 15: Win vs. Carolina Panthers, 26-20 (5-9)
Reasoning: Back at home, the Saints face the Panthers again in a divisional rematch. Improved quarterback play and home-field energy help New Orleans edge out Carolina in a competitive game, splitting the season series with a late touchdown.
All those fans who just got their hopes up for a top-five pick and an exciting new quarterback just got their hopes dashed, but seeing growth from Shough or Rattler (or Haener) down the stretch wouldn’t be the worst thing. Moore needs to know who can be part of the solution in the future.
Week 16: Win vs. New York Jets: 20-17 (6-9)
Reasoning: The Saints host the Jets, who are led by first-year head coach Aaron Glenn, a former Saints player and assistant coach. The Jets, projected to improve from their 3-14 record in 2024, have talent but lack cohesion, with quarterback Justin Fields still developing. The Saints’ home-field advantage at the Caesars Superdome, where they’ve won their last six season openers, plays a significant role. Kellen Moore’s offensive scheme exploits the Jets’ secondary, and linebacker Demario Davis, a former Jet, leads a defensive effort that forces a key turnover. The game is a low-scoring, gritty affair, with the Saints winning on a late field goal. The historical series favors New Orleans (8-6), and their 8-2 record against the Jets since 1989 supports this outcome.
This game wouldn’t be a season opener, but sure. It would be great to see Davis make a game-winning takeaway in what may be his last year with the team, and doing it against the franchise that drafted him would be poetic.
Week 17: Win at Tennessee Titans, (7-9)
Reasoning: The Titans, finishing 2024 at 3-14 and earning the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, start rookie quarterback Cam Ward under coach Brian Callahan. Tennessee’s offensive line, bolstered by veterans Kevin Zeitler and Dan Moore, improves from 2024’s 52 sacks allowed, but Ward’s inexperience is a liability. The Saints, coming off a late-season push, benefit from Moore’s play-calling and a defense that pressures Ward into mistakes. The Titans lead the all-time series 9-7-1, but the teams have split their last four meetings, including a 16-15 Saints win in 2023. This road game is close, with New Orleans securing a narrow victory via a late drive, capitalizing on Tennessee’s rebuilding phase.
The Saints were very, very high on Ward in this year’s draft — so it would be gratifying to see Shough beat him head-to-head. If Rattler or Haener are starting at this point, fine, that works too; but it isn’t as easy to spin into a narrative when it isn’t two rookie quarterbacks involved. Ironically, going to Nashville in December could be colder than visiting Buffalo in September or Chicago in mid-October, but Grok didn’t note that.
Week 18: Loss at Atlanta Falcons, 24-16 (7-10)
Reasoning: Atlanta’s home advantage and superior roster depth make this a tough road game. The Saints keep it close early, but the Falcons pull away in the second half, securing the season sweep in a low-scoring divisional battle.
Winning three of their last four games wouldn’t make the draftniks in the fanbase happy, and ultimately you’re just looking for silver linings after a 10-loss season. But this is where the details matter. If the Saints’ young quarterback is showing weekly improvement and some other members of their draft class are stepping up, then you can look at that as positive momentum to carry into the offseason. The fewer questions they have to answer and replacements they need to go looking for, the better.
All told, these predictions weren’t too off-the-wall. A seven-win season is more optimistic than what we’ve seen from some outlets (and it beat our own knee-jerk predictions from the schedule release back in May). We’ll take that over the two-win models some writers have thrown out there. But this is to be expected when all Grok did was search for “Saints 2025 schedule predictions,” blend up the results, and regurgitate what it found. Did we learn anything here? Not really, except maybe about the limitations of what an “AI” program can do.