New Orleans Saints: 3 Vital statistics for 2019 season
5
Sean Payton’s team just can’t seem to get out of its own way early in the season.
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A year ago, on the way to a 13-3 finish and a second consecutive NFC South title — a first-time feat for the franchise — the New Orleans Saints were upended at home by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 48-40, in Week 1. This was a Bucs’ team that would total only five wins and once again finish in the division basement.
More significantly, it marked the fifth consecutive year that Payton and company had dropped their first game of the season. In fact, dating back to 2014, the Saints have gotten off to 0-2, 0-3, 0-3, 0-2 and 0-1 starts, respectively. Of course, the club was able to overcome those early holes these past two years. But it’s quite the bad habit to fall into if you’re looking to reach the postseason.
For what it’s worth, New Orleans opens its season with four consecutive games vs. teams that reached the playoffs in 2018. They host the Houston Texans on Monday night and six days later travel to Los Angeles for an NFC title game rematch vs. the Rams. Then it’s off to Seattle before welcoming the Dallas Cowboys the following Sunday night. That’s quite the start for a very talented club, to say the least.