New Orleans Saints 2010 NFL Schedule Released

The New Orleans Saints won the 2009 Super Bowl. Because the NFL enjoys parity, the Saints' 2010 NFL Schedule is filled with teams that were division leaders or Playoff teams in 2009. Fortunately for New Orleans, some of these teams have gone through turmoil in the offseason and will not be near as tough as they were last year. The most glaring examples of this are the Arizona Cardinals (Kurt Warner's retirement and losing Anquan Boldin) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (trading Santonio Holmes for next to nothing and Ben Roethlisberger's off-field distractions).

Without further ado, here is the 2010 NFL Schedule for the New Orleans Saints (all times are Eastern Standard Time and subject to change):

Week 1: Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, September 9, 8:30 P.M.

The 2010 NFL Season starts off with a bang. The Saints are going to have their hands full in this rematch of the 2009 NFC Championship game, regardless of whether Brett Favre is back with the Minnesota Vikings or not. The Vikings are obviously stronger with Favre instead of Tavaris Jackson, and ultimately I think the Saints, who have not had any major off-season changes, will squeak by the Vikings.

Prediction: W 34-31 (1-0)

Week 2: At San Francisco, Monday, September 20, 8:30 P.M.

The 49ers still have work to do to become a viable threat in the NFC. If the Saints can handle up-and-comer Michael Crabtree, they have more than enough firepower in Drew Brees to overcome the 49ers defense. The 49ers are a good team, perhaps even good enough to win the NFC West against a weakened Cardinals squad, but still can't compete with the best of the best.

Prediction: W 41-28 (2-0)

Week 3: Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, September 26, 1 P.M.

The Falcons finished 9-7 in 2009, and would've made the playoffs if they hadn't stumbled when Matt Ryan was injured mid-season, including a close 26-23 loss to the Saints. With Ryan healthy, expect the Saints to struggle to find an answer for the Falcons' offense. The Saints should be able to win behind a raucous home crowd, but don't expect the same later in the season when the two teams square off in Atlanta.

Prediction: W 31-30 (3-0)

Week 4: Carolina Panthers, Sunday, October 3, 1 P.M.

The Panthers should be stronger than in 2009 now that they've ditched Jake Delhomme. Can the Panthers' defense handle New Orleans' offense, however? The NFC South will be tough in the 2010 NFL Season with the Panthers, Falcons, and Saints. The Panthers still look like the odd team out, however, and will likely finish third in the division. Expect the Saints to roll again at home.

Prediction: W 35-24 (4-0)

Week 5: At Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, October 10, 4:05 P.M.

What a difference a year makes. Without Warner and Boldin, the Cardinals are going to take a huge step back. Arizona has some talented players in Matt Lienart and Larry Fitzgerald, but they don't have the pieces to overcome the defending champion Saints. Just like in the 2009 NFC playoffs, the Saints should dismantle the Cardinals and blow them out.

Prediction: W 45-24 (5-0)

Week 6: At Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, October 17, 1 P.M.

The Buccaneers struggled horribly in 2009 and won't be much better in 2010. The Saints shouldn't have any problems beating Tampa Bay senseless. Let's move on.

Prediction: W 38-14 (6-0)

Week 7: Cleveland Browns, Sunday, October 24, 1 P.M.

Back at home in the Superdome, the Saints have their second straight opponent that should prove no problem for the defending champs. The Browns might be marginally better than last year with Jake Delhomme instead of the two-headed beast that was Derek Andersen and Brady Quinn, but they aren't good yet.

Prediction: W 41-10 (7-0)

Week 8: Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, October 31, 8:20 P.M.

The Steelers game is tough to predict. Their defense should be strong, but missing Holmes on offense will hurt more than many people realize. In addition, no one knows how Roethlisberger will respond to all of his off-season personal issues. It won't be an easy game for the Saints to win, but they should persevere.

Prediction: W 28-24 (8-0)

Week 9: At Carolina Panthers, Sunday, November 7, 1 P.M.

It might be tougher to play in Carolina than in New Orleans, but the Saints should still be able to come out ahead versus a good-but-not-great Panthers team.

Prediction: W 31-27 (9-0)

Week 10: Bye Week

Perfect time for a bye week, as four of the next six games are brutal. The Saints will need all the rest and practice they can get to conquer the weeks ahead.

Week 11: Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, November 21, 4:05 P.M.

The Seattle Seahawks are a tough team to pin down. They underperformed throughout 2009, but might be reinvigorated with the arrival of coach Pete Carroll. If quarterback Matt Hasselbeck rebounds from a couple of years of injury and ineffectiveness, Seattle might have a chance. If Hasselbeck continues trending downward, the Saints should roll to their tenth straight win.

Prediction: W 37-31 (10-0)

Week 12: At Dallas Cowboys, Thursday, November 25, 4:15 P.M.

Here's where the Saints' season gets tough. The Cowboys look to be strong again, and playing in Dallas on Thanksgiving Day will not be an easy feat. The Saints offense should be able to score a few points, but will the Saints defense be able to handle the Dallas offense? Doubtful.

Prediction: L 28-41 (10-1)

Week 13: At Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, December 5, 1 P.M.

The Bengals faltered at the end of the 2009 season, but the 2010 NFL Season should see the Bengals looking for blood. New Orleans might struggle against Carson Palmer and the Bengals offense, and playing a road game against a quality opponent is always tough. The Saints offense has enough power to get it done, but their defense is still lacking.

Prediction: L 28-34 (10-2)

Week 14: St. Louis Rams, Sunday, December 12, 4:05 P.M.

It doesn't matter who the Rams choose with the first pick in the draft, they still won't be good enough to compete in the 2010 NFL Season. The Saints get a much needed respite after a couple of really tough contests.

Prediction: W 35-7 (11-2)

Week 15: At Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, December 19, 1 P.M.

The Ravens were tough in 2009. For the 2010 NFL season, the Ravens added depth at wide receiver by signing Donte Stallworth and trading for Anquan Boldin. It's possible that the Ravens will compete for the AFC spot in the Super Bowl. The Saints will struggle against the Ravens defense. In addition, the newly updated Ravens offense will be able to pick apart the porous Saints defense.

Prediction: L 21-31 (11-3)

Week 16: At Atlanta Falcons, Monday, December 27, 8:30 P.M.

The Falcons will be looking for revenge for the Week 3 game in New Orleans. The Saints are sure to be worn out after playing three tough games in four weeks. Playing in Atlanta won't be easy, and it's easy to see the Saints dropping their fourth contest in five weeks.

Prediction: L 31-34 (11-4)

Week 17: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, January 2, 1 P.M.

The results of this game will depend on whether the Saints have the NFC South locked up by this point of the season or not. If the Saints are still in the hunt for home field advantage in the playoffs, expect them to come on strong and have another easy win against the Buccaneers. If the Saints don't have anything to play for, they'll probably rest some of their starters and the Buccaneers might be able to win against the Saints' second and third string.

Prediction: W 35-10 (12-4)

2010 NFL Playoff Prediction: Lose in Super Bowl XLV to Baltimore Ravens, 24-28

Source(s):

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/teams/schedule?team=nor&year=2010