2011 New Orleans Saints Schedule: Road to Indy Goes Through the Big Easy

Of course it's much too early to legitimately predict the Saints' 2011 record, or exactly which games the Saints will win and lose. 

But it is definitely not too much of a stretch to take an initial look at the schedule in amazement and like it...no, love it!

Only one game, and it's the first one, stands out as a game the Saints should lose.

As I will discuss further, that is less due to the quality of the opponent and more to the circumstances of the game.

In my estimation, all the other games on the schedule are ones you look at and determine the Saints should win. 

Without further ado, here is a more detailed much too early Saints' schedule preview.

Game One: Saints at Packers; Thursday, September 8, 2011 7:30 PM CT on NBC

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GREEN BAY, WI - FEBRUARY 08: Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy carries the Lombardi Trophy onto Lambeau Field during the Packers victory ceremony on February 8, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matt Ludtke/Getty Images)

As Saints fans saw last season, the atmosphere surrounding the opening of the NFL season is incredible, and alone enough to help the home team win the game. 

On paper the Saints and Packers will be equal, but the Lambeau Field crowd celebrating their title in front of the entire nation looks to be enough to give this game to the Packers. 

Don't expect the Saints to go down without a fight, as they did the last time they were the road team in this game in 2007 at Indianapolis. 

Game Two: Bears at Saints; Sunday, September 18, 2011 Noon CT on Fox

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears on the sideline in the third quarter after leaving the game with an injury against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago

If Jay Cutler can't handle a messed-up knee in the conference championship game, what makes us think he can handle the Superdome and the Saints' home opener? 

Certainly the pressure defense and raucous crowd will make life tough on my least favorite quarterback in the NFL.

If it doesn't, the Saints' offense should be able to do a number on the Bears' defense which is getting old, and really wore down as the year went on in 2010. 

Don't forget that both teams will likely be coming off Week 1 losses, and this game becomes a huge contest for both teams. 

And if there weren't enough to play for, how about the fact that Chicago ended the Saints' season three years in a row from 2006-2008? 

Game Three: Texans at Saints; Sunday, September 25, 2011 Noon CT on CBS

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HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 13: Wide receiver Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans fends off linebacker Jameel McClain #63 of the Baltimore Ravens as he gains a first down late in the fourth quarter at Reliant Stadium on December 13, 2010 in Houston, Texa

In 2010, the Houston Texans had a nice start to the season, only fall back to their normal form.

They are yet to make the playoffs in their franchise's history despite having one of the best offenses in the league. 

This offseason they hired Wade Phillips to run the defense, in hopes it will be enough to lift the Texans out of mediocrity. Only time will tell whether the move works.

But it seems likely that in Week 3, a shootout in the Superdome will be on the docket.  

Game Four: Saints at Jaguars; Sunday, October 2, 2011 Noon CT on Fox

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 26: Carlos Rogers #22 of the Washington Redskins attempts to tackle #89 Marcedes Lewis #89 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at EverBank Field on December 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/

The Jacksonville Jaguars had an intriguing year a season ago.

Despite having anyone step up on defense, and only a marginal year from their best offensive players—save tight end Marcedes Lewis—he Jaguars managed to stay in the playoff race until very late in the season. 

If the Jags can improve overall they have a chance to make the playoffs and maybe even do some significant damage in them.

Week 4 at home versus the Saints should be a good challenge for them. And from the Saints' perspective, it is a tough road game, even though the Saints play very well in the state of Florida.  

Game Five: Saints at Panthers; Sunday, October 9, 2011 at Noon CT on Fox

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SAN DIEGO - 2009: Ron Rivera of the San Diego Chargers poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in San Diego, California. (Photo by NFL Photos)

With so much about the Panthers in limbo—they have the No. 1 pick in the draft, which they go a number of different directions with—writing much of a preview for this game seems delusional. 

Under John Fox, the Panthers were always a tough matchup for the Saints.

It is possible the Panthers may still be getting used to each other at this point in the season for them to give the Saints much of a challenge. 

Game Six: Saints at Buccaneers; Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 3:15 CT on Fox

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

It is strange that the road team in this series has won the last four contests, and it may even be more than that, but that is what my lack of memory is allowing me to remember. 

Josh Freeman has been magical in the wins in the Superdome, but mostly average if not worse at home.

Drew Brees has been great every time but other members of the team have let him down in the home losses. 

Either way, it seems true that the Bucs are coming, and the Saints have a chance to derail any momentum the Bucs got from almost making the playoffs a season ago, here in Week 6. 

Game Seven: Colts at Saints; Sunday Night, October 23, 2011 at 7:30 CT on NBC

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Tracy Porter #22 of the New Orleans Saints returns a interception for a touchdown against of the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Ezra

Who can forget the last time these two teams met—not just Saints' fans but football fans?

In a rematch of Super Bowl 44, the Saints and the Colts will again meet on a Sunday night with lots of national fanfare. 

Both teams took a step backwards a year ago—losing on the first day of the playoffs. But that doesn't mean these two teams won't be super in 2011. 

Another interesting storyline to follow:  these two teams/towns are the next two Super Bowl hosts. Could one of these two become the first to host a Super Bowl in their home stadium? 

If you had to pick a team the Colts and Saints are certainly pointing up as far as their postseason stocks go. 

Could this rematch actually be a preview? We will see, but either way it promises to be a fun game for all of America to tune in for. 

Game Eight: Saints at Rams; Sunday, October 30, 2011 at Noon CT on Fox

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams scrambles with the football during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated t

The Rams have always been a pest to the Saints.

With Sam Bradford in year two and more talent likely joining the roster, the Rams look like a team capable of completing an upset in a bit of a trap game. 

The Saints will need to come out focused and going quickly, otherwise the Saints might leave St. Louis more than a little unhappy. 

Game Nine: Bucs at Saints; November 6, 2011 at Noon CT on Fox

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 26: Pierre Thomas #23 of the New Orleans Saints in action during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Louisiana Superdome on September 26, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

When playing a team just three weeks after playing them the first time, game-planning will pretty be thrown out the window. In its' stead will be execution. 

The Saints are going to need to execute with their running game, as the Bucs have done a good job of slowing that aspect of the game down in their recent wins versus the Saints. 

Game 10: Saints at Falcons; Sunday, November 13, 2011 at Noon CT on Fox

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks upfield to pass during the first half of the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Call me weird, but I find it funny that the Saints have already completed their season series with the Bucs by the time they first square off against the Falcons. 

Similar to the Saints' Week 16 win in Atlanta, the Saints against must have some success running the football to keep Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, and Roddy White off the field. Or maybe they can just outscore them. 

Either way, it's hard to believe this game didn't get at least the late afternoon game slot.

It should be that good. 

Game 11: Giants at Saints; Monday, November 28, 2011 at 7:30 CT on ESPN

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning of the New York Giants rolls out of the pocket while playing the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Eli Manning returns home to play for a second time, and it is of course also the second time a Manning will play in the Superdome on the season.

Expect that to be one of ESPN's favorite storylines for this game. 

Aside from that, the Giants improved dramatically on defense a year ago, but seemed to get worse offensively.

They're going to need both units playing at optimum levels if they want to come into the Superdome and win on a Monday night. 

Game 12: Lions at Saints; Sunday, December 4, 2011 at Noon CT on Fox

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions catches a touchdown pass in the last minute of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo won 14-12. (Photo by

Aside from this game being played on my 25th birthday (YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!), this game interests me for a few reasons.

First, the Lions have improved dramatically in two seasons under Jim Schwartz. Their offense is potentially explosive, and their defense has become more and more steady.

It is also interesting that the Lions were the first victims the Saints punctured on their way to the Super Bowl title in 2009.

On that day, Drew Brees had six touchdown throws. Can he do it for my 25th birthday? Gee, I would love that! 

Game 13: Saints at Titans; Sunday, December 13, 2011 at Noon CT on Fox

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Cornerback Alterraun Verner #20 of the Tennessee Titans returns his intercepton to the one yard line in front of tight end Martellus Bennett #80 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas.

Any chance I have to feature my favorite UCLA Bruin football player of all time, I'll take it. That is why Alterraun Verner receives the picture and not Chris Johnson (aside from him who else is even worthy?). 

The Titans were a mess much of last year, and for the first time since I've been a football fan, Jeff Fisher will not be roaming the sidelines as the head coach. 

They still have Johnson and a few young kids capable of becoming good playmakers, but without a quarterback the Titans are likely to struggle in 2011. 

It seems more likely that the Saints will be tripped up by Tennessee's cool winter air than the Titans' team themselves. 

Game 14: Saints at Vikings; Sunday, December 20, 2011 at Noon CT on Fox

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings smiles on the bench after returning an interception for a touchdown while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 20-13. (Ph

Saints fans are well aware that the Vikings and Saints have had some really good battles in recent years.

All of those have taken place in the Superdome. Assuming the Metrodome is repaired quickly, this game will likely be played indoors, and this time the advantage would seem to go to the home team Vikings. 

Then again, the Vikings' quarterback situation at this time is gloomy.

Without a QB, the greatest home field advantage wouldn't make a ton of difference against the always high-octane Saints. 

Game 15: Falcons at Saints; Monday, December 28, 2011 at 7:30 CT on ESPN

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 12: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints throws a pass during the game against the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome on December 12, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams 31-13. (Photo by Chri

In primetime games Drew Brees normally plays lights out, especially at home.

Against the Falcons, it seems that throwing the ball is the Saints best chance to win this game. 

Expect Brees to have another of his patented perfect passer rating, four touchdown passes-type game. If he does, the Saints will likely come out of this game with a win and the division crown. 

Game 16: Panthers at Saints; Sunday, January 1, 2012 at Noon CT on Fox

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 09: Chase Daniel #10 of the New Orleans Saints warms up during pregame against the Minnesota Vikings at the Louisiana Superdome on September 9, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

If all goes according to plan in the first 15 games, the man above, Chase Daniel ought to see the field early and often. 

Against the likely-to-be lowly Panthers Daniel can get some good experience, and the Saints might be able to finally figure out if Daniel is the heir apparent to Brees.