ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-1) VS. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-1) - NFL.com
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ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-1)
VS.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-1)
PRESEASON GAME #2
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2021 – 7:00 P.M. (CST)
CAESARS SUPERDOME – NEW ORLEANS, LA.
TV: Gray Communications Network (WVUE FOX 8 locally) – Joel Meyers
(play-by-play), Jon Stinchcomb and Jonathan Vilma (color analysts) and Me-
ghan Payton (sideline)
LOCAL RADIO: WWL (870 AM and 105.3 FM) – Mike Hoss (play-by-play),
Deuce McAllister (color analyst) and Steve Geller (sideline)
SPANISH LANGUAGE RADIO: KGLA (830 AM and 105.7 FM) – Mario Je-
rez (play-by-play), Juan Carlos Ramos (color analyst) and Victor Quinonez
(sideline)
Both clubs enter tonight’s game with retooled and
THE MATCHUP tweaked rosters that they are working in following offsea-
On Saturday, August 28, the New Orleans Saints (1-1) will sons of change.
finish out a preseason that will have featured 21 practices, New Orleans will seek to keep the good times going in
three preseason contests and countless hours of sweat in the Big Easy as they seek to replace the retired Drew
the weight room, as well as attention to detail in the meet- Brees with a competition at signal-caller between Tay-
ing rooms at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center as som Hill and Jameis Winston that has brought out the
they host the Arizona Cardinals (1-1). It will be New Orle- best in both players. While transitioning at quarterback,
ans’ final dress rehearsal before they make their regular New Orleans is backed by the running back combination of
season debut against the Green Bay Packers in the Cae- Alvin Kamara and Murray, a dominating offensive line
sars Superdome on Sunday, Sept. 12. and a defense that continue its ascent to new heights in
New Orleans and Arizona have met in six exhibitions, 2020, led by linebacker Demario Davis, safety Malcolm
with the Black and Gold holding a 5-1 edge. The regular Jenkins, Jordan and cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
season series is tied 15-15 with New Orleans having won The presence of that quartet has been supplemented by
the last two, while the Saints have captured the only post- the impressive preseason development of young defend-
season meeting. In the last meeting on Oct. 27, 2019, ers such as linebacker Zack Baun and defensive end Mar-
quarterback Drew Brees made a triumphant return from cus Davenport, who are also primed to step forward in
thumb surgery to throw for 373 yards, three touchdowns 2021.
and only one interception in a 31-9 win. Running back Lat- The Cardinals have improved from 3-13 in 2018 to 5-10
avius Murray rushed for 102 yards and one touchdown -1 in 2019 to 8-8 in 2020 and look to take the next step
and also recorded the first receiving score of his career. and crash the postseason for the first time since 2015.
Defensively, New Orleans kept the Cardinals out of the Five of Arizona’s eight losses were by eight points or less,
end zone as defensive tackle David Onyemata, defensive three by three points, as quarterback Kyler Murray contin-
end Cameron Jordan and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle each ues to improve into one of the NFL’s top dual-threat signal-
recorded sacks. callers.
Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 2
SAINTS-CARDINALS CONNECTIONS cuse...Cardinals DT Rashard Lawrence prepped at Neville
(Monroe, La.) HS and played at LSU as a teammate of
Cardinals Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury spent the 2004 sea- Saints G/C Will Clapp in 2017...Arizona OLB Devon Ken-
son on the Saints practice squad…New Orleans wide re- nard’s father Derek Kennard Jr. played for the
ceiver Kevin White went to training camp with the Cardinals Saints...Saints QB Trevor Siemian, Arizona LS Aaron
in 2019...Saints Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi, Brewer and OL Max Garcia were teammates in Denver
Cardinals Wide Receivers Coach Shawn Jefferson and in 2015...Siemian, Poole and Jets T Kelvin Beachum were
Outside Linebackers Coach Charlie Bullen served on the teammates with the New York Jets in 2019...Saints Vice
same Miami Dolphins coaching staff from 2016- President of Player Development Fred McAfee played for
18...Arizona safety Chris Banjo played for New Orleans the Cardinals in 1994...Cardinals Assistant Head Coach/
from 2016-18…New Orleans tight end Nick Vannett and Special Teams Coordinator Jeff Rodgers and Saints Senior
Cardinals running back James Conner were teammates in Offensive Assistant/Wide Receivers Curtis Johnson served
Pittsburgh in 2019...Cardinals offensive lineman Marcus on the same Chicago staff in 2016…Cardinals Defensive
Henry was originally signed by the Saints as an un- Coordinator Vance Joseph has a history in the New Orle-
drafted free agent in 2016...Saints defensive back C.J. ans area, attending Archbishop Shaw (Marrero) HS, where
Gardner-Johnson and Cardinals cornerback Marco Wil- he led his team to a 37-6 record in three seasons as the
son were teammates in the same University of Florida starting quarterback and won the 4A state championship as
secondary in 2018...New Orleans defensive tackle Chris- a sophomore. He earned USA Today honorable mention
tian Ringo, Cardinals cornerback Darqueze Dennard , All-American as a senior and also lettered all four seasons
safety Shawn Williams and wide receiver A.J. Green were in basketball. His older brother Mickey, is currently the wide
teammates with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017...Cardinals receivers coach at LSU. Joseph was tutored by Saints
Assistant Special Teams Coach Devin Fitzsimmons is a Senior Defensive Assistant Peter Giunta with the New York
Folsom native...Saints defensive back J.T. Gray spent his Jets in 1995...New Orleans DL Josiah Bronson, Arizona
junior season at Coolidge (Ariz.) HS, where he earned Ari- WR Andre Baccellia and CB Byron Murphy Jr. were college
zona Division IV Section II first team as a defensive back teammates at the University of Washington...Saints QB
and second team as a running back in 2012. Gray and Car- Taysom Hill played at Brigham Young...New Orleans
dinals Offensive lineman Shaq Calhoun were college team- LB Chase Hansen prepped at Lone Peak (Highland, Utah)
mates at Mississippi State in 2017...Cardinals Offensive HS and both he and S Marcus Williams played at the Uni-
Assistant Jerry Sullivan enjoyed two tenures as an assis- versity of Utah. Hansen and Williams played with Cardinals
tant at Louisiana State University (1984-90, 2017-18)...New TE Kylie Fitts and DT Leki Fotu at Utah….Cardinals Pass-
Orleans linebacker Pete Werner and Arizona offensive line- ing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Tom Clements was
man Brandon Bowen were college teammates at Ohio quarterbacks coach for the Saints from 1997-99…Saints
State...Arizona defensive end Margus Hunt played for New Pass Rush Specialist Brian Young and Cardinals Assistant
Orleans in 2020...New Orleans defensive end Payton Offensive Line Coach Brian Natkin were college team-
Turner and Cardinals offensive lineman Josh Jones mates at UTEP…Cardinals Defensive Backs Coach Mar-
were teammates at University of Houston...Cardinals cor- cus Robertson served on Allen’s staff when he was head
nerback Robert Alford prepped at Hammond (La.) HS and coach of the Oakland Raiders in 2014. Allen tutored Craw-
played at Southeastern Louisiana University. Saints corner- ford with the Raiders from 2012-13, where Crawford was
back Brian Poole, running back Devonta Freeman, Arizona also a teammate of Saints RB Latavius Murray in
defensive lineman Jack Crawford, defensive lineman Corey 2013...Saints DE Cameron Jordan prepped at Chandler
Peters and Alford were teammates in Atlanta. Saints (Ariz.) HS...Arizona Running Backs Coach James Saxon
safety Jeff Heath and Crawford were teammates in Dallas and Rizzi served on the same Miami staff in 2010...New
from 2014-16. Heath and Arizona center Rodney Hudson Orleans RB Dwayne Washington, Cardinals S Budda
were teammates with Las Vegas in 2020...Saints wide re- Baker and ILB Ezekiel Turner were college teammates
ceiver Chris Hogan, Arizona cornerback Malcolm Butler at Washington. Washington and Arizona TE Darrell Daniels
and linebacker Chandler Jones were teammates with the were college teammates at the University of Washington.
New England Patriots...Butler prepped at Vicksburg (Miss.) Vannett and Daniels were teammates in Seattle in 2018.
HS and played at Hinds (Miss.) Community College...New Washington and Cardinals K Matt Prater were teammates
Orleans defensive lineman Albert Huggins, linebacker in Detroit...Saints T/G Andrus Peat prepped at Corona del
Shaq Smith and Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons Sol (Tempe, Ariz.) HS and his father Todd, played for the
were college teammates at Clemson...Saints G/T James Cardinals from 1987-89. Peat and Cardinals DLs Josh
Hurst and Cardinals TE Maxx Williams were teammates Mauro and David Parry were college teammates at
in Baltimore from 2015-18...New Orleans G J.R. Sweezy Stanford. Parry appeared in one game for the Saints in
appeared in 29 games with 26 starts at guard for the Cardi- 2017.
nals from 2019-20...Cardinals CB Picasso Nelson prepped
at Oak Grove (Hattiesburg, Miss.) HS and played at South-
ern Mississippi...Saints P Nicholas Cooney and Cardinals
OL Koda Martin were college teammates at Syra-
Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 3
THE HEAD COACHES Kliff Kingsbury was named Arizona's head coach on Janu-
ary 8, 2019. The 41-year old Kingsbury came to Arizona
Saints Head Coach Sean Payton has posted a 152-89 after spending six seasons (2013-18) as the head coach at
overall record (.629), including a 9-8 postseason mark after his alma mater, Texas Tech. The New Braunfels, TX native
the franchise had won only one playoff game prior to his is a 12-year coaching veteran who also spent three sea-
arrival in 2006. Payton holds both the club’s top victory to- sons (2003-05) in the NFL as a player, including a stint with
the Saints. Known for his work with QBs in the college
tal and winning percentage. Payton is ranked 25th all-time
ranks, Kingsbury helped guide signal-caller Kyler Murray,
in NFL record books in victories, fifth among active head the #1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, to Associated Press
coaches. He continues to represent the Saints as the mod- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. The former
el of stability not only within the NFC South, as he is the Heisman Trophy winner set franchise rookie records for
longest tenured head coach within the division, but also wins by QB (5), passing yards (3,722), TD passes (20),
among the most accomplished within the NFL. Only the completions (349), attempts (542), 300-yard games (5) and
Patriots’ Bill Belichick (2000) has been with the his team games with multiple TD passes (8). He also established a
longer than Payton’s 15 seasons. Payton is also one of just franchise record for rushing yards by a QB (544) on his
nine active NFL head coaches to lead a team to a Super way to becoming just the sixth quarterback in NFL history,
and second rookie, with at least 3,500 passing yards and
Bowl victory. The others are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’
500 rushing yards in a season. In 2020, he threw for 3,971
Bruce Arians, Belichick, the Seattle Seahawks’ Pete Car- yards and 26 touchdowns, while running for 819 yards and
roll, the Las Vegas Raiders’ Jon Gruden (Buccaneers in 11 touchdowns as he was named the Pro Bowl for the first
2002), the Baltimore Ravens’ John Harbaugh, the Dallas time. Prior to joining the Cardinals, Kingsbury spent six
Cowboys’ Mike McCarthy (Green Bay Packers in 2010), seasons as the head coach at Texas Tech where he also
Kansas City’s Andy Reid and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike called the plays for the Red Raiders high-powered offense
Tomlin. The 2020 Saints were only the sixth team in Na- that annually ranked among the top units in the country.
tional Football League history to have six-game winning The Red Raiders featured a passing attack that ranked in
streaks in four consecutive seasons and with a nine-game the top-10 in the country in all six seasons of Kingsbury's
tenure, ranked in the top-20 nationally for total offense in all
winning streak had won at least nine straight games in two
six seasons and finished in the top-25 in scoring five times.
of the past three seasons and had double-digit victory fig- In 2016, Texas Tech led the nation in total offense (566.6
ures and consecutive playoff berths in four straight years ypg), passing offense (463.0 ypg) and ranked fifth in scor-
for the first time in franchise history, also being only the ing offense (43.7 ppg). Kingsbury began his coaching ca-
third NFC team since divisional alignment to capture four reer at the University of Houston as the offensive quality
straight division championships. Five Saints were selected control coach (2008-09) prior to being elevated to quarter-
to the Pro Bowl as the Black and Gold qualified for the NFL backs coach (2010) and co-offensive coordinator in 2011.
playoffs for the ninth season (2006, 2009-11, 2013, 2017-
20) in Payton’s head coaching tenure. The 2019 New Orle-
ans Saints posted their second consecutive 13-3 record, SERIES HISTORY
capturing their third consecutive NFC South title and
playoff berth. A franchise-record six players were selected The Saints and Cardinals have played 30 times in the
Associated Press All-Pro and a club-best 11 were named regular season, with the Saints split. The Cardinals won the
to the Pro Bowl. New Orleans won seven games on the first three games in the series, including both played in
road for the second consecutive season. The Saints set an 1968 when they were in the NFL Century division. The
National Football League single-season record with only Saints won their first game against the Cardinals on Nov. 2,
eight turnovers as they ranked second in the league in 1969, 51-42 at Busch Stadium. In another memorable con-
turnover ratio (+15). New Orleans also ranked third in test, the Saints beat the Cardinals 14-0 on Dec. 8, 1974 in
sacks (51), tied for third in scoring (28.6 ppg.) and ranked the team’s final contest played at Tulane Stadium. In the
fourth in opponent rushing yards per game. Special teams last regular season meeting, New Orleans held the Cardi-
captured first place in National Football League writer Rick nals out of the end zone in a 31-9 home victory on October
Gosselin’s annual comprehensive rankings. Payton earned 27, 2019. The Saints lead the preseason series 5-1, their
a bachelor’s degree in communications at Eastern Illinois, sole blemish being a 20-15 home loss on August 17, 2018.
where as a quarterback he had 10,665 passing yards, at
the time the third-highest total in NCAA Division I-AA histo-
ry. Payton was inducted into the Eastern Illinois Hall of
Fame in 2000 and had his jersey retired in a ceremony in
2010. He received an honorary doctorate from his alma
mater in 2013. Payton was born Dec. 29, 1963 in San
Mateo, Calif., and raised in Naperville, Ill., Payton has a
daughter, Meghan and a son, Connor.Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 4
NEW ORLEANS – ARIZONA caught a five-yard TD from Brees at the start of the fourth
quarter. On the next play from scrimmage, a Saints team
STATISTICAL COMPARISON sack, set the Cardinals back to second and 20 at their 15-
yard line and forced a punt. plays later, Brees connected
2020 Final NFL Regular Season Rankings for a touchdown, when he hit WR Michael Thomas for a
Saints Cardinals nine-yard score to seal the win for New Orleans.
Record 12-4 8-8 • A swarming New Orleans defense allowed only 237 net
Scoring Avg. (NFL Rank) 30.1(5) 25.6 (13) yards and allowed Cardinals QB Kyler Murray , the first
Opp. Scoring Avg. (NFL Rank) 21.1 (5) 22.9 (12) pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, to complete only 19-of-33 pass-
Total Off. (NFL Rank) 376.4 (9) 384.6 (6) es for 222 yards with zero touchdowns and a 77.8 passer
Rushing Off. (NFL Rank) 141.6 (6) 139.8 (7) rating.
Passing Off. (NFL Rank) 234.9 (19) 244.8 (17) • Brees tossed three touchdowns, giving him 159 career
Total Def. (NFL Rank) 310.9 (4) 351.9 (13) games with at least two touchdown passes, tied with Brett
Rushing Def. (NFL Rank) 93.9 (4) 125.5(22) Favre for the third-most such games in NFL history.
Passing Def. (NFL Rank) 217.0 (5) 226.4 (10)
Kickoff Return Avg. (NFL Rank) 25.4 (6) 21.9 (18) •The New Orleans defense held the Cardinals to only 115
Punt Return Avg. (NFL Rank) 10.2 (8) 5.4 (29) first half total net yards, while all four Saints sacks occurred
Turnover Margin (NFL Rank) +9 (3t) even (17t) in the second half. LB Demario Davis led the standout de-
Penalties 98 113 fensive effort with a teams-high eight tackles (seven solo),
Penalty Yards 1005 868 while DE Cameron Jordan recorded two a sack to reach
Opp. Penalties 64 104 eight takedowns for the midpoint of the season.
Opp. Penalty Yards 517 841
2021 PRESEASON GAME SUMMARIES
LAST REGULAR SEASON MEETING Ravens 17, Saints 14; August 14, 2021 @ M&T Bank
Stadium – There was not much separation in the competi-
Saints 31, Arizona Cardinals 9; October 27, 2019 @
tion to be the next starting quarterback for the Saints in the
Mercedes-Benz Superdome – The Saints improved to 7- preseason opener against the Ravens.
1, powered by an offensive attack that tied a season-high
Taysom Hill started and went 8 of 12 for 81 yards with an
with 510 total net yards, welcomed back by the return of
interception. Jameis Winston replaced him and went 7 of
QB Drew Brees and a defense that did not allow a touch- 12 for 96 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
down for the second time in 2019 and the second time in
But there is no doubt what stat caught the eye of Saints
three weeks. Coach Sean Payton - six turnovers. The Saints lost 17-14 -
The Cardinals opened the scoring with 5:41 left in the extending Baltimore's preseason winning streak to a
league-best 18 games - but the poor ball security and nu-
first quarter when K Zane Gonzalez drilled a 31-yard field
merous penalties (10 for 63 yards) gave Payton and his
goal. After Brees connected with QB Taysom Hill on a 22- staff plenty to coach before the next preseason game.
yard completion to set up a 26-yard field goal by K Wil
Running backs Latavius Murray, Devonta Freeman and
Lutz, the Saints would not trail again.
Tony Jones Jr. fumbled while Hill, Winston and rookie Ian
Midway through the second quarter, RB Latavius Mur- Book each had a pick. Murray and Jones each fumbled
ray, who led the saints in rushing with 102 rushing inside the red zone, taking possible points off the board.
yards, 157 total yards from scrimmage and two touch- The defense was excellent for most of the game with de-
downs, scored on an eight-yard rush. On Arizona’s next fensive lineman Marcus Davenport and David Onyemata
possession, Gonzalez booted a 31-yard field goal to cut standing out. Rookie cornerback Paulson Adebo was test-
ed repeatedly but held up well and fellow rookie Bryce
New Orleans’ lead to 10-6. Thompson had an interception in the first half.
Midway through the third quarter, after the Saints The Ravens scored on a 56-yard field goal by Justin Tuck-
stopped the Cardinals on a fourth and one attempt at their er, two field goals by his backup, Jake Verity, and a 7-yard
30 on a stop for no gain by DT David Onyemata, Brees led run by third-string quarterback Tyler Huntley in the fourth
New Orleans on five-play, 30-yard drive, ending with a 15- quarter that proved to be the winning points.
yard TD pass to Murray, his first career scoring grab. Brees Saints receiver Marquez Callaway had a nice first half with
completed 34-of-43 passes for 373 yards with three touch- three catches for 61 yards. Other than the fumble, Jones
downs and one interception with a 116.4 passer rating. was excellent. He scored on an 18-yard run and finished
with 82 yards on just seven carries. The Notre Dame prod-
With the Cardinals in rally mode, trailing 17-9 at the end uct also held up well in pass protection and had five recep-
of the third quarter after a 50-yard field by Gonzalez, Hill tions for 38 yards.Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 5
2021 PRESEASON GAME SUMMARIES T Terron Armstead (ter-RON)
WR Kawaan Baker (kah-Wahn)
Saints 23, Jaguars 21; August 23, 2021 @ Caesars Su-
perdome – First and foremost, the New Orleans Saints LB Zack Baun (BONN)
won on Monday night in the Caesars Superdome and pre-
season game or not, if a score is being kept, it's always G Caleb Benenoch (ben-en-knock)
good to be on the plus side of it.
Second, though, was the fact that the Saints showed im- WR Marquez Callaway (mar-QWEZ)
provement in two important categories in their 23-21 victory
LB Demario Davis (duh-MAR-ee-oh)
over Jacksonville, dropping their turnovers from six to none
from the preseason opener and slicing their penalties from RB Devonta Freeman (de-VON-tay)
10 to six. Those numbers helped New Orleans overcome
its third-down shortage (2 of 10 on third down) and to max- WR/RS Deonte Harris (deo-on-tay)
imize the big plays it generated.
And Monday night definitely was an occasion during which RB Alvin Kamara (kuh-Mare-Uh)
the Saints flashed some big-play potential, to the tune of DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (tawn-oh pass-N-yo)
acrobatic, 43- and 29-yard touchdown passes from Jameis
Winston to Marquez Callaway in the first quarter that al- DT David Onyemata (own-yay-MAH-ta)
lowed New Orleans to grab a 14-0 lead in a game it never
trailed. T/G Andrus Peat (ANN-druss PEET)
Winston (9 of 10 for 123 yards and two touchdowns) and
Callaway (five catches for 104 yards and two scores) were T Ryan Ramczyk (RAM-check)
synched offensively. That unit scored touchdowns on two C/G Cesar Ruiz (roo-EEZ)
of three possessions with Winston on the field, as Callaway
capped 72- and 57-yard drives with contested catches in DB KeiVarae Russell (kee-VAR-ay)
the end zone, one he finished despite pass interference,
and the second he completed one-handed while his right QB Trevor Siemian (SIM-ee-en)
arm was grabbed and pinned.
And despite a slow start, Taysom Hill also led a touchdown TE Adam Trautman (Trout-man)
drive. Hill completed 11 of 20 passes for 138 yards and a
14-yard touchdown to Lil'Jordan Humphrey, who caught
four passes for 74 yards. COACHES
All told, New Orleans totaled 369 yards on 61 plays, but
averaged 13.3 yards on its 24 completions. Coach Sean Senior Defensive Asst. Peter Giunta (GEN-ta).
Payton said the Saints expected to come out throwing be-
cause of Jacksonville's effectiveness against the run. The Secondary Coach Dan Richard (Ri-SHARD).
efficiency of Winston, Callaway's ability to find opening af- Tight Ends/Run Game Coordinator Dan Roushar (ROW-
ter opening and a clean pocket made for a successful strat-
egy. shar).
That was more than enough for the Saints' first-team de-
fense. At halftime, Jacksonville had 134 yards and a field
goal, was 3 of 8 on third down and 0 for 2 in the red zone.
The Saints forced three-and-outs on three of Jacksonville's
first four possessions and on one second-quarter drive,
cornerback Ken Crawley broke up a pass at the goal line,
and safeties Marcus Williams and Chauncey Gardner-
Johnson broke up passes inside the 10-yard line.
The Saints produced 10 pass breakups (the Jaguars had
58 pass attempts), two sacks, seven quarterback hits,
three tackles for loss and an interception.
What could have been a standout night in the kicking game
was smudged by a missed point-after attempt in the third
quarter. But Aldrick Rosas drilled a 52-yard field goal as
time expired in the first half, exhibiting the distance that
Payton noted after the Saints signed Rosas.
HOW DO YOU SAY IT
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS PRONUNCIATION GUIDE
PLAYERS
LB Kwon Alexander (kwahn)Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 6
TRANSACTIONS 2021 SCHEDULE/RESULTS
TRANSACTIONS PRESEASON
JULY Date Opponent Time/Network/Result
26 – Signed WR Chris Hogan. Aug. 14 @Baltimore Ravens L, 14-17
27 – Signed LB Kendall Donnerson and CB Brian Poole. Aug. 23 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS W, 23-21
30 – Signed WR Tommylee Lewis. Nov. 28 ARIZONA CARDINALS 7:00,/FOX 8
AUGUST REGULAR SEASON
1 – Signed RB Devonta Freeman. Date Opponent Time/Network
2 – Signed CB Prince Amukamara and DB KeiVarae Rus- Sept. 12 GREEN BAY PACKERS 3:25/FOX
sell, placed TE Dylan Soehner on Injured Reserve and
Sept. 19 @Carolina Panthers 12:00/FOX
waived DL Lorenzo Neal and DB Lawrence Woods.
Sept. 26 @New England Patriots 12:00/FOX
4 – Re-signed LB Kwon Alexander, signed DB Adonis Al-
exander. Placed DB Keith Washington on Injured Re- Oct. 3 NEW YORK GIANTS 12:00/FOX
serve and Waived LB Kendall Donnerson.
Oct. 10 @Washington Football Team 12:00/CBS
4 – Signed TE Josh Pederson. Placed DT Ryan Glasgow
--—-——-———————-BYE——————————-
on Reserve/Retired.
Oct. 25 @Seattle Seahawks 7:15/ESPN
10 – Signed K Brett Maher. CB Patrick Robinson an-
nounced his retirement. Oct. 31 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 3:25/FOX
12 – Awarded DL R.J. McIntosh off waivers from the Giants Nov. 7 ATLANTA FALCONS 12:00/FOX
and placed WR Jalen McCleskey on Injured Reserve. Nov. 14 @Tennessee Titans 12:00/CBS
13 – Re-signed DB Lawrence Woods. Waived/injured LB Nov. 21 @Philadelphia Eagles 12:00/FOX
Quentin Poling and reached an injury settlement with
DB Keith Washington. Date Opponent Time/Network
16 – Placed DB KeiVarae Russell on Reserve/COVID-19 Nov. 25 BUFFALO BILLS 7:20/NBC
and OL Kyle Murphy and LB Quentin Poling on Injured Re- Dec. 2 DALLAS COWBOYS 7:20/FOX
serve. Waived/injured K Brett Maher, waived RB Stevie
Scott and terminated contracts DB Prince Amukamara Dec. 12 @New York Jets 12:00/FOX
and LB Noah Spence. Dec. 19 @Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7:20/NBC
17 – Placed K Brett Maher on Injured Reserve. Dec. 27 MIAMI DOLPHINS 7:15/ESPN
18 – Waived/Injured DB Adonis Alexander and OL Mike Jan. 2 CAROLINA PANTHERS 12:00/FOX
Brown. Signed G Caleb Benenoch, DBs Natrell Jamerson
and Bryan Mills, T Jordan Mills and WR Kevin White and Jan. 9 @Atlanta Falcons 12:00/FOX
waived WR Jake Lampman and DB Lawrence Woods.
19 – Placed DB Adonis Alexander and OL Mike Brown on
Injured Reserve.
20 – Signed K Aldrick Rosas. Placed WR Tommylee Lewis
on Injured Reserve, waived TE Josh Pederson and
reached an injury settlement with OL Mike Brown.
21 – Signed S Jeff Heath. Waived from Injured Reserve LB
Quentin Poling and reached injury settlements with DB
Adonis Alexander, K Brett Maher and WR Jalen
McCleskey.Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 7
DE Cameron Jordan - Father, Steve, had a 13-year ca-
TEAM NOTES reer at tight end for the Minnesota Vikings, with six Pro
Bowl selections, being inducted into their Ring of Honor.
FAMILY TIES
TE Juwan Johnson - Brother George,played defensive
Numerous Saints players, coaches and administrators are end for eight years in the NFL with the Buccaneers, Vi-
not the only members of their families to make a name for kings, Lions and Saints.
themselves in pro football. No fewer than 23 Saints play-
T/G Andrus Peat - Father, Todd, played six NFL seasons
ers, coaches or front office staff have relatives who have
with the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals and the Raiders.
played, coached or served in the front office in the NFL.
WR Michael Thomas - Uncle, Keyshawn Johnson, is a
Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen - Late father, Grady
former wide receiver who was the first overall pick in the
Allen, played linebacker for the Falcons from 1968-72.
1996 NFL Draft by the Jets, spending 11 seasons in the
Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael - Late father, National Football League with the Jets, Tampa Bay Bucca-
Pete, served as an assistant coach from 1994-2003 with neers, Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers, earning
the Jaguars (1994-99), Browns (2000) and Bears (2002- three Pro Bowls and the Super Bowl XXXVII title.
03).
DT Shy Tuttle - Uncle, Perry Tuttle played wide receiver
Offensive Assistant D.J. Williams - Father, Doug Wil- on Clemson’s national championship team in 1981, who
liams, is a veteran of the Washington Football Team’s front was a first round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1982 and then
office, who won Super Bowl XXII as starting quarterback played three National Football League seasons with the
for the Redskins, the pinnacle of a storied 12-year pro foot- Bills, Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
ball career, which includes him being in the Tampa Bay
LB Pete Werner - Father, Greg, played two years in the
Buccaneers Ring of Honor, also working in the Buccaneers
NFL with the Jets and Eagles.
front office.
T Jordan Mills - Has 2 cousins with NFL experience. Bran-
VP/Asst. GM-College Personnel Jeff Ireland – Stepson
don Jacobs played 9 NFL seasons with the N.Y. Giants
of Chiefs Hall of Fame LB/C E.J. Holub. Grandson of Ea-
(2005-11;2013) and San Francisco (2012). Tramon Wil-
gles running back and Bears personnel exec. Jim Parmer.
liams was signed as an undrafted free agent by Houston in
National Scout Terry Wooden - Brother, JoJo, is Director 2006 and played 14 NFL seasons with Green Bay (2007-
of Player Personnel for the Los Angeles Chargers. 14; 2018-19), Cleveland (2015-16), Arizona (2017) and
CB Ken Crawley - Cousin, Stephon Morris, played DB for Baltimore (2020) as a cornerback before finally announcing
the New England Patriots in 2012. his retirement this past offseason
LB Demario Davis - Late cousin Steve McNair was a for- Senior Scouting Consultant Scott Campbell - Late fa-
mer standout quarterback for the Houston Oilers/ ther, Marion Campbell, played for the 49ers (1954-55) and
Tennessee Titans (1995-2005) and BRavens (2006-07). the Eagles (1956-61) as one of the league’s last two way
players along the line as a two-time Pro Bowl selection and
WR Kevin White - White’s younger brothers, Ka’Raun and first-team All-Pro in 1960, was a longtime defensive assis-
Kyzir, each made it to the NFL along with their brother Kev- tant with the Patriots (1962-63), Vikings (1964-66), Rams
in from West Virginia. Ka’Raun spent time with the Seattle (1967-68), Eagles (1977-82) and Atlanta Falcons (1969-74)
Seahawks, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers and was former head coach of the Eagles (1983-85) and
while Kyzir is currently a LB for the Los Angeles Chargers. Falcons (1987-89).
QB Taysom Hill - Brother-in-law, David Nixon played line- Area Scout Joey Vitt - Father, Joe Vitt, is a longtime Na-
backer and on special teams for the Raiders (2009), Hou- tional Football League assistant coach, who served as as-
ston Texans (2010) and St. Louis Rams (2010-11). sistant head coach/linebackers of the Saints from 2006-16
LB Chase Hansen - Uncle, Bruce, played for the New and also had coaching stints with the Seattle Seahawks,
England Patriots in 1987 Colts, Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs
and Jets.
LB Kaden Elliss - Father, Luther Elliss was a former first
round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 1995 and played ten Combine Scout Matt Phillips - Father, Ted is the presi-
years in the NFL and was selected to two Pro Bowls. dent/CEO of the Chicago Bears.
Younger brother Christian, signed with the Minnesota Vi-
kings after the 2021 NFL Draft.Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 8
Sept. 13-Dec. 13, 2009—13 games
TEAM NOTES Oct. 31-Dec. 12, 2010—6 games
COACHES IN THE NFL Nov. 6, 2011-Jan 1, 2012—8 games
Five members of the 2021 Saints coaching staff have prior Sept. 24-Nov. 19, 2017—8 games
playing experience in the National Football League. Sept. 16-Nov. 22, 2018—10 games
Head Coach Sean Payton - Played for the Bears in 1987. Sept. 22, 2019-Oct. 27, 2019—6 games
Quarterbacks Coach Ronald Curry - A seventh round Oct. 4-Dec. 13, 2020 —9 games
draft pick (235th overall) of the Raiders in 2002 out of the
North Carolina and played for the Oakland Raiders from
2002-08, appearing in 76 games with 32 starts, registering LONGEST WINNING STREAKS IN NEW ORLEANS
193 receptions for 2,347 yards with 13 touchdowns. SAINTS HISTORY
Secondary Coach Kris Richard - A third-round draft pick 13 9/13-12/13/09
(85th overall) of Seattle in 2002, Richard played in 38
games at cornerback and on special teams with the Sea- 10 9/16-12/23/18
hawks from 2002-04 before finishing his playing career with 9 11/1-12/27/87
the San Francisco 49ers in 2005.
12/23/90-10/20/91
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Zach Strief - Originally en-
tered the NFL as a seventh round draft pick of the Saints in 10/4/-12/13/20
2006 and played for the team for 12 seasons, playing in
158 regular season games with 93 starts, opening 87 con-
DOUBLE DIGIT WINS
tests at right tackle and serving as an offensive team cap-
tain five times. Finishing the 2020 regular season at 12-4, New Orleans
has won at least ten games for the ninth time under Payton
Pass Rush Specialist Brian Young - Played in the NFL
after posting double-digit win totals only five times from
from 2000-08 with the St. Louis Rams his first four sea-
1967-2005. In 2020, the Saints had the franchise’s seventh
sons, who originally selected him in the fifth round of the
season of at least 12 wins, five under Payton.
2000 NFL Draft (139th overall) from Texas-El Paso and
final five campaigns with the Saints, playing in 124 games,
recording 22.5 career sacks and eight fumble recoveries.
IN THE NFC SOUTH
The Saints have the best record among NFC South teams
MY HOMETOWN since 2006, a time where they’ve won seven division titles
including four straight from 2017-20, the most in division
Saints players come from 22 states, Washington D.C. and
history and are only the third NFC team since 2002 to win a
Nigeria. Of the players currently on the team’s preseason
division four straight times. They’ve posted a 57-33 division
roster, Florida claims the most members with ten (RB
mark since 2006 and in 2020 became the first team since
Devonta Freeman, DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson, RB Tony
the NFC South debuted in 2002 to finish the season 6-0 in
Jones Jr., T/G Derrick Kelley, WR Tommylee Lewis, CB
the division. New Orleans has joined the 2004-07 Seattle
Brian Poole, DL R.J. McIntosh, QB Trevor Siemian, WR
Seahawks and 2011-14 Green Bay Packers to become
Tre’Quan Smith and CB P.J. Williams).
only the third NFC team since divisional realignment in
2002 to win four consecutive division titles.
WINNING STREAKS REGULAR SEASON RECORDS OF NFC SOUTH TEAMS
SINCE 2006
Under Payton, the Saints have put together seven winning
streaks of at least six games, headlined in 2020 by a nine- Team W L T Pct.
game win streak. The Saints are the sixth team in NFL his-
New Orleans Saints 150 90 0 .625
tory to have a six-game win streak in four straight seasons
joining the 1929-32 Green Bay Packers, 1970-73 Miami Atlanta Falcons 123 117 0 .513
Dolphins, 1989-95 49ers, 2004-09 Indianapolis Colts and
Carolina Panthers 119 120 1 .498
2014-19 New England Patriots. Below is a list of the fran-
chise’s win streaks of at least six games since Payton was Tampa Bay Buccaneers 95 145 0 .396
hired as head coach in 2006:Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 9
TURNOVER RATIO LEADER
TEAM NOTES In 2020, the Saints finished the regular season tied for third
in the NFL in takeaway/giveaway ratio at +9.
ROSTER FACTS AND FIGURES
2020 NFL TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL LEADERS
Oldest Saints player: S Malcolm Jenkins, 32, 12/20/87
(Regular Season)
Youngest Saint: CB Paulson Adebo, 22, 7/3/99
Takeaways Giveaways
Most Seasons as a Saint: DE Cameron Jordan - 10
Team Ints Fum Total Ints Fum Total Diff
Most NFL seasons: S Malcolm Jenkins - 12
1. Ten. 15 8 23 7 5 12 +11
Most consecutive starts: DE Cameron Jordan, 145
2. Ind. 15 10 25 11 4 15 +10
Consecutive games played: DE Cameron Jordan, 160
3t. NO 18 8 26 8 9 17 +9
Most playoff experience: S Malcolm Jenkins, 14 games
3t. Mia. 18 11 29 13 7 20 +9
Heaviest Saint: OL Ethan Greenidge, 335
3t. Pit. 18 9 27 11 7 17 +9
Tallest Saint: G/T Andrus Peat, 6-7
Shortest Saint: WR/RS Deonte Harris, 5-6.
Former first round draft picks:10 – Wide Receiver Kevin TAKING AWAY THE BALL
White, defensive end Payton Turner, defensive end Marcus An aggressive defense and special teams unit in 2020,
Davenport, safety Malcolm Jenkins, Jordan, cornerback resulted in New Orleans being ranked first in the NFC and
Marshon Lattimore, tackle/guard Andrus Peat, tackle Ryan tied for third in the NFL in takeaways, including ranked first
Ramczyk, quarterback Jameis Winston and center/guard in the conference and tied for first in the league with Miami,
Cesar Ruiz. Pittsburgh in New England with 18 interceptions.
Pro Bowlers:15– Running back Devonta Freeman, wide 2020 NFL TAKEAWAY LEADERS
receiver/return specialist Deonte Harris, Jenkins, Jordan,
Team Takeaways
running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray, Lat-
timore, kicker Wil Lutz, Peat, kicker Aldrick Rosas and wide 1. Miami 29
receiver Michael Thomas and Winston.
2. Pittsburgh 27
Coaches who played in the NFL: 5 - Head Coach Sean
3t. New Orleans 26
Payton, Quarterbacks Coach Ronald Curry, Secondary
Coach Kris Richard, Assistant Offensive Line Coach Zach 3t. Buffalo 26
Strief, Pass Rush Specialist Brian Young
College with the most Saints: Ohio State—5(Jenkins,
ROAD WARRIORS
Thomas, Lattimore, TE Nick Vannett and LB Pete Werner).
Since 2006, the New Orleans Saints have the best road
record in the NFC, second-best in the NFL at 70-50 (.583)
TIME OF POSSESSION LEADER They finished the regular season 6-2 away from the Cae-
sars Superdome in 2020, posting winning road records for
An offense with the ability to run the ball and a defense
three consecutive seasons for the first time since 2009-11,
getting teams off the field resulted in a Saints squad ranked
with back-to-back road records of 7-1 in 2018 and 2019 for
second in the NFC and third in the National Football
the first time in franchise history.
League in time of possession on 2020 in the regular sea-
son, which kept up in the NFC Wild Card Playoff win over NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE REGULAR SEASON
Chicago, where they chewed up 38:58 in clock.. ROAD RECORDS SINCE 2006
2020 NFL TIME OF POSSESSION LEADERS Team Record
Team TOP 1. New England 80-40
1. Green Bay 32:29 2. New Orleans 70-50
2. Buffalo 31:45 3. Pittsburgh 66-53-1
3. New Orleans 31:43 4. Dallas 65-55Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 10
Year Reg. Season Postseason
TEAM NOTES 2007 7-9 -
Since 2009, with a 58-38 (.604) road mark, the Saints have 2008 8-8 -
the best record in the NFC and second-best in the National
2009 13-3 SB XLIV Championship (3-0)
Football League
2010 11-5 Wild Card Round (0-1)
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE REGULAR SEASON
ROAD RECORDS SINCE 2009 2011 13-3 Divisional Round (1-1)
Team Record 2013 11-5 Divisional Round (1-1)
1. New England 60-36 2014 7-9 -
2. New Orleans 58-38 2015 7-9 -
3. Pittsburgh 53-42-1 2016 7-9 -
4. Dallas 51-45 2017 11-5 Divisional Round (1-1)
2018 13-3 NFC Champ Game (1-1)
DOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE 2019 13-3 Wild Card Round (0-1)
Since 2008, the Saints have posted a 75-29 home record, 2020 12-4 Divisional Round (1-1)
fifth in the NFL, 6-2 in 2020. They’ve had four consecutive 2021 0-0
winning seasons for the second time joining 2008-11.
TOTAL 143-81 9-8
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE REGULAR SEASON
HOME RECORDS SINCE 2008
Team Record WINNINGEST ALL-TIME NEW ORLEANS SAINTS HEAD
COACHES
1. New England 86-16
(REGULAR SEASON AND POSTSEASON)
2. Green Bay 79-23-2
Coach W L Pct.
3. Baltimore 77-27
Sean Payton 152 89 .631
4. Pittsburgh 76-28
Jim Mora 93 78 .544
5. New Orleans 75-29
Jim Haslett 46 52 .469
PAYTON’S PLACE AMONG HEAD COACHES
Payton’s .638 regular season winning percentage is ranked
Payton’s had an impressive run as head coach since being fifth all-time in league record books among coaches with at
hired in 2006. After the team had captured only two division least 200 games to their record.
titles prior to 2006, the club has seven under Payton, in-
cluding four straight NFC South titles from 2017-20, the REGULAR SEASON WINNING PERCENTAGES AMONG
first time the club won their division in consecutive seasons COACHES (Min. 200 games)
and only the third time an NFC team has won their division Coach W L T Pct.
in four straight seasons since 2002 realignment. The fran-
chise has had 15 winning seasons overall in its 54-season Bill Belichick 280 136 0 .673
history, nine under Payton’s watch including the 2020 12-4. Don Shula 328 156 0 .670
Payton has the highest winning percentage (.633) and
most wins (152) among the 16 Saints head coaches, 25th Tony Dungy 139 69 0 .668
all-time, fifth among active head coaches. Mike Tomlin 145 78 1 .650
SEAN PAYTON YEAR-BY-YEAR HEAD COACH Sean Payton 143 81 0 .638
BREAKDOWN
Year Reg. Season Postseason
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
2006 10-6 NFC Champ Game (1-1)Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 11
PRO BOWL PLAYERS COACHED BY SEAN PAYTON
TEAM NOTES Saints Head Coach Sean Payton’s coached 28 players
who’ve earned 66 Pro Bowl selections as head coach, co-
Payton’s 152 career wins (regular season and postseason
ordinator and position coach, including a team-record 11 in
combined) since 2006 is ranked fourth among active head
2019.
coaches, and his winning percentage since 2006 is fifth.
PRO BOWL PLAYERS COACHED BY SEAN PAYTON
WINNING PERCENTAGES AMONG ACTIVE HEAD
AS A HEAD COACH, COORDINATOR AND POSITION
COACHES SINCE 2006 (Min. 50 games)
COACH
Coach W L T Pct.
Pos. Player Pro Bowls Years
Bill Belichick 200 68 0 .746 G Larry Allen 1 2005
T Terron Armstead 3 2018-20
Sean McVay 46 23 0 .667
QB Drew Brees 12 2006, 08-14, 16-19
Mike Tomlin 153 86 1 .640 T Jammal Brown 2 2006, 08
T Jermon Bushrod 1 2011
Pete Carroll 122 71 1 .631
TE Jared Cook 1 2019
Sean Payton 152 89 0 .629 G Jahri Evans 5 2009-11, 13-14
C Jonathan Goodwin 1 2009
TE Jimmy Graham 3 2011, 13-14
WINNINGEST ACTIVE NFL HEAD COACHES SINCE G Ben Grubbs 1 2013
2006 (REGULAR SEASON AND POSTSEASON) S Roman Harper 2 2009-10
Coach W L T Pct. RS Deonte Harris 1 2019
RB Mark Ingram II 2 2014, 2017
Bill Belichick 200 68 0 .746 DE Cameron Jordan 6 2013, 2015, 2017-20
Andy Reid 158 96 1 .622 RB Alvin Kamara 4 2017-20
CB Marshon Lattimore 3 2017, 2019-20
Mike Tomlin 153 86 1 .640 K Wil Lutz 1 2019
Sean Payton 152 89 0 .629 G Carl Nicks 2 2010-11
G Andrus Peat 3 2018-20
S Darren Sharper 1 2009
NFC SOUTH COACHES RECORDS IN DIVISION PLAY TE Jeremy Shockey 1 2002
DE Will Smith 1 2006
Payton has the most regular season division wins and the
T Jon Stinchcomb 1 2009
top winning percentage by active NFC South coaches after
G Ron Stone 2 2000-01
going 6-0 in the division in 2020.
WR Michael Thomas 3 2017-19
Coach W L Pct. LB Jonathan Vilma 2 2009-10
C Max Unger 1 2018
Sean Payton 54 30 .643
G Larry Warford 3 2017-19
Bruce Arians 6 6 .500 TE Jason Witten 1 2005
Matt Rhule 1 5 .167
Arthur Smith 0 0 .000
Payton has a winning record against all three NFC South
clubs after winning the series against all three opponents in
2020.
PAYTON’S REGULAR SEASON RECORD VS. NFC
SOUTH TEAMS
Team W L Pct.
Atlanta 20 8 .714
Tampa Bay 18 10 .643
Carolina 16 12 .571Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 12
Defense Has 3+ Sacks....................................................8-2
TEAM NOTES Indoors.............................................................................8-3
Outdoors..........................................................................4-1
THE SAINTS WHEN At Home...........................................................................6 2
On The Road...................................................................6-2
Below is the regular season record in various situations the
On Artificial Turf...............................................................8-2
Saints have compiled under Payton.
On Natural Grass............................................................ 4-2
SEAN PAYTON’S REGULAR SEASON RECORD WHEN Scoring 20 Or More Points.............................................12-4
Leading After First Quarter..........................................77-19 Allowing 20 Or Fewer Points............................................6-0
Leading at Halftime....................................................116-14 Committing Zero Turnovers.............................................3-0
Leading After Third Quarter.......................................114-11
Saints Score First........................................................84-24
BUCKING THE ODDS
Saints 200+ Yards Passing.......................................121-71
Opponent Under 200 Yards Passing...........................55-21 The Saints have a long tradition of finding players as free
Saints Have 100+ Yards Rushing..............................102-27 agents signed after the draft that make an impact.
Forcing 3+ Turnovers....................................................40-6
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS WHO HAVE JOINED THE
Defense Has 3+ Sacks................................................73-24
TEAM AS UNDRAFTED ROOKIE FREE AGENTS
Indoors........................................................................91-51
Outdoors......................................................................51-31 PLAYER, SCHOOL SEASON
At Home......................................................................76-36
CB Ken Crawley, Colorado 2016
On The Road...............................................................67-45
On Artificial Turf…......................................................100-53 DB J.T. Gray, Mississippi State 2018
Scoring 20 Or More Points........................................134-47
OL Ethan Greenidge, Villanova 2019
Allowing 20 Or Fewer Points.........................................86-8
Committing Zero Turnovers..........................................49-6 WR/RS Deonte Harris, Assumption 2019
DT Shy Tuttle, Tennessee 2019
SAINTS IN 2020 WHEN? DE Carl Granderson, Wyoming 2019
(REGULAR SEASON) LB Chase Hansen, Utah 2019
Leading After First Quarter..............................................4-2 OL Derrick Kelly II, Florida State
Trailing After First Quarter...............................................4-1 DL Malcolm Roach, Texas 2020
Tied After First Quarter...................................................4-1
Leading at Halftime........................................................10-1 WR Juwan Johnson, Oregon 2020
Tied at Halftime…..........................................................0-1 WR Marquez Callaway, Tennessee 2020
Trailing at Halftime…......................................................2-2
Leading After Third Quarter...........................................10-0
Trailing After Third Quarter............................................1-3 IN THE NFL
Tied After Third Quarter................................................1-1
Saints Score First..........................................................7-1 The Saints have the second-best regular season record in
Opponent Scores First....................................................5-3 the NFC and fourth-best in the NFL since 2006.
Saints 200+ Yards Passing............................................8-4 NFL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS SINCE 2006
Saints Have 100+ Yards Rushing..................................10-2
Team W L T Pct.
+ 5 Turnover Margin........................................................1-0
+ 3 Turnover Margin........................................................1-0 New England Patriots 180 60 0 .750
+ 2 Turnover Margin........................................................2-0
Green Bay Packers 153 85 2 .642
+1 Turnover Margin….....................................................3-0
-1 Turnover Margin…......................................................2-2 Pittsburgh Steelers 153 86 1 .640
–2 Turnover Margin…......................................................1-0
New Orleans Saints 150 90 0 .625
Recording 1 Takeaway....................................................4-3
Recording 2 Takeaways..................................................1-0 Baltimore Ravens 147 93 0 .613
Recording 3 Takeaways..................................................2-0
Recording 4 Takeaways..................................................1-0
Recording 5 Takeaways..................................................1-0 CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
Even Turnover Margin.....................................................2-2Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 13
NEARLY UNBEATABLE AT 30
TEAM NOTES Since Payton arrived in 2006, the team’s posted a 104-16
record (86.7%) in regular season and postseason games
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE-IN THE NFL
where they’ve scored at least 30 points, including the 52-
Since 2009, New Orleans’ 125-67 regular season record is point outburst against Minnesota on Christmas Day, the
second in the NFC and third in the NFL. highest by a team in 2020 and a 33-point total to close the
2020 regular season at Carolina.
NFL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS SINCE 2009
30-POINT GAME OUTPUTS BY SEASON
Team W L T Pct.
(2006-20 REG. SEASON AND POSTSEASON)
New England Patriots 141 51 0 .734
2006: 6-1
Green Bay Packers 126 64 2 .662
2007: 5-0
New Orleans Saints 125 67 0 .651
2008: 6-2
Pittsburgh Steelers 123 68 1 .643
2009: 12-0 (Including 3-0 in postseason)
Baltimore Ravens 118 74 0 .615
2010: 6-1 (Including 0-1 in postseason)
Seattle Seahawks 117 74 1 .612
2011: 10-2 (Including 1-1 in postseason)
2012: 6-2
POINTS PER GAME
2013: 6-0
Since 2006, the Saints have averaged 28.1 points per
game (6,741 points) in 240 regular season games, ranked 2014: 4-1
second in the NFL. Since 2006, they’ve scored 20 or more
2015: 3-1
points in 192 contests (80.0%) and 30 or more in 114
(47.5%). The team’s top four single game point totals have 2016: 6-3
all occurred since Payton took over in 2006, including the
2017: 7-0 (Including 1-0 in postseason)
2020 Christmas Day 52-point outburst, tied for second in
franchise record books. The Saints are tied with three 2018: 9-1
teams for having three consecutive 45-point plus outputs
2019: 10-1
all-time.
2020: 7-1
NFLL POINTS PER GAME LEADERS SINCE 2006
Team Pts. Pts./Gm.
OPPONENT POINTS PER GAME
1. New England 6,857 28.6
A rapidly improving defense and crushing and opportunistic
2. New Orleans 6,741 28.1
special teams coverage units contributed to the New Orle-
3. Green Bay 6,281 26.2 ans Saints finishing the regular season ranked fifth in the
NFL in opponent points per game in 2020, where from Nov.
8-Dec. 13, the Saints did not surrender more than 16 points
The New Orleans Saints finished the 2020 regular season in five consecutive games. Only twice in franchise history
ranked third in the NFC and fifth in the National Football (1991 and 1992) have the Saints had a streak of giving up
League in points per game in in 2020, facing the league’s 16 or fewer points in six consecutive contests in the same
third-ranked scoring team in Tampa Bay Sunday. season.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE POINTS PER GAME 2020 NFL OPPONENT POINTS PER GAME LEADERS IN
LEADERS IN 2020
Team Pts. Pts./Gm.
Team Pts. Pts./Gm.
1. L.A. Rams 296 18.5
1. Green Bay 509 31.8
2. Baltimore 303 18.9
2. Buffalo 501 31.3
3. Pittsburgh 312 19.5
3. Tampa Bay 492 30.8
4. Washington 329 20.6
3. Tennessee 491 30.7
5. New Orleans 337 21.1
4. New Orleans 482 30.1Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 14
56 – Number of games it took Thomas to reach 400 recep-
TEAM NOTES tions, the fewest in NFL history.
69 – Number of games took Thomas to get 500 grabs,
SAINTS BY THE NUMBERS
when he had nine receptions on Dec. 13, 2020 at Atlanta,
4 – Consecutive NFC South championships since 2017 making him the fastest in NFL record books to 500.
and consecutive playoff berths. The Saints are one of two
211 – Team-record number of receiving yards by Thomas
teams, joining Kansas City to achieve both.
in the Nov. 4, 2018 45-35 victory vs. the Los Angeles Rams
5 – Number of Pro Bowl selections in 2020.
149 – Receptions by Thomas in 2019, ranked first all-time
6 – Ring of Honor members, as well as the number of rush- in NFL record books, surpassing Marvin Harrison’s 143 in
ing touchdowns by RB Alvin Kamara in the December 25, 2002. He is also the only player to have 90 catches in each
2020 52-33 win over Minnesota, where he tied the NFL of his first four seasons.
record for both rushing and total scores.
1,725 – Team-record 2019 receiving yardage by Thomas,
9 – Division championships, including the 2020 season. which led the NFL and is the seventh-highest total in NFL
record books.
9 – Club-record tying number of sacks that the Saints post-
ed on Thanksgiving night in 2019 at Atlanta. 1,000 – Career tackles by LB Demario Davis.
397 – Franchise wins (Regular season/postseason) 111 – Team-leading tackle total by Davis in 2019.
10 – Pro Football Hall of Famers 119 – Team-leading 2020 tackle total by Davis, his seventh
100-stop campaign.
14 – Number of postseason berths, nine under Head
Coach Sean Payton since 2006. 1,205 – Career tackle total by S Malcolm Jenkins
33 – Number of years the club was owned by Tom Benson,
who passed away in 2018.
PRIME TIME POWER
47 – In its 47th season at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Since 2006, the Saints have the third-best record in prime
55 – The club is in its 55th season of play. time contests.
84,728 – Largest home crowd (United States), a Nov. 3, TOP FOUR NFL PRIME TIME RECORDS SINCE 2006
1968 contest vs. Dallas played at Tulane Stadium.
(REGULAR SEASON)
73,373 – Largest crowd at the Caesars Superdome, a No-
Team W L T Pct.
vember 24, 2014 contest vs. Baltimore.
Seattle Seahawks 36 12 1 .750
152 – Games won by Payton (regular season and postsea-
son), first in club history and 25th in NFL record books. New England Patriots 45 22 0 .672
94.5 – Sacks by Cameron Jordan, second in team records. New Orleans Saints 36 19 0 .655
12 – 2018 Sack total by Jordan, ranked first on the club. Pittsburgh Steelers 44 25 0 .638
With three sacks against Atlanta on November 22, upping
his all-time total against the club to 21, Jordan also became
only the 12th player in NFL history to have 20 sacks New Orleans has been even more dominating at home on
against an opponent. prime time, posting a 24-7 mark since 2006, tied for third in
the NFL over that period.
15.5 – 2019 Sack total by Jordan, ranked third in the NFL
and the fifth double-digit takedown season in his career. It TOP NFL HOME PRIME TIME RECORDS SINCE 2006
is tied for the fourth-highest total in franchise history
(REGULAR SEASON)
7.5 – 2020 sack total by Jordan after recording five sacks
Team W L T Pct.
in the month of November, tied for first in the NFL, to cap-
ture NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors. Seattle Seahawks 25 5 0 .833
470 – Number of receptions by Michael Thomas in his first Baltimore Ravens 15 3 0 .833
four seasons, a National Football League record. New Orleans Saints 24 7 0 .774
510 – Career receptions by Michael Thomas, a National New England Patriots 24 7 0 .774
Football League record by a player in his first five NFL sea-
sons. Pittsburgh Steelers 24 8 0 .750Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 15
TEAM NOTES OFFENSIVE NOTES
FIRST ROUND FOCUS averaging 398.6 total net yards per game.
The New Orleans Saints’ 53-man roster features 11 play- NFL TOTAL OFFENSE LEADERS SINCE 2006
ers who entered the National Football League as first round
Team Yds. Yds./Gm.
draft choices, nine selected by New Orleans.
1. New Orleans 95,665 398.6
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS FIRST ROUND PLAYERS
2. New England 91,340 380.6
PLAYER, TEAM SEASON, SELECTION
3. Philadelphia 88,522 366.7
Malcolm Jenkins, New Orleans 2009, #14
Patrick Robinson, New Orleans 2010, #32
YARDAGE RAMPAGE
Cameron Jordan, New Orleans 2011, #24
Since 2006, the Saints have racked up the team’s top sev-
Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay 2015, #1
en highest single-game net yardage totals. Prior to 2006,
Kevin White, Chicago Bears 2015, #7 New Orleans had only reached 500 yards in seven games.
Since then, they’ve met the mark in 29 contests.
Andrus Peat, New Orleans 2015, #13
TOP SEVEN NEW ORLEANS SAINTS TOTAL NET
Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans 2017, #11
YARDAGE GAMES
Ryan Ramczyk, New Orleans 2017, #32
Rk. Opponent Yds. Rush Pass Date
Marcus Davenport, New Orleans 2018, #14
1. vs. Dallas 625 242 383 11/10/13
Cesar Ruiz, New Orleans 2020, #24
2. vs. Carolina 617 208 409 1/1/12
Payton Turner, New Orleans 2021, #28
3. vs. NYG 608 103 505 11/1/15
4. vs. Cin. 595 91 504 11/19/06
HIGHER EDUCATION
5. vs. Min. 583 264 319 12/25/20
55 schools are represented on the Saints’ 2021 preseason
6. vs. NYG 577 205 172 11/28/11
roster. Of that total, 17 are represented by multiple Saints,
led by five from Ohio State (Safety Malcolm Jenkins, wide 7. At Min. 573 161 412 12/18/11
receiver Michael Thomas, Lattimore, tight end Nick Vannett
and linebacker Pete Werner).
KEEPING DRIVES GOING
The Saints converted a NFL-best 46.2 of their third down
ROSTER ROLL CALL
attempts in the regular season since 2006.
Of the 86 players currently on the New Orleans Saints’ pre-
NFL THIRD DOWN CONVERSION LEADERS SINCE
season roster, 54 were on the active roster, a reserve list
2006
or the practice squad at the end of 2020. Of the 54, 23
have less than four years of prior NFL experience. The fol- Team Made Att. Pct.
lowing’s a breakdown of New Orleans’ roster by experience
1. New Orleans 1,439 3,117 46.2
(year entering): 12 years-1, 11 years-1, 10 years-1, 9 years
-3, 8 years-4, 7 years-6, 6 years-8, 5 years-10, 4 years-8, 3 2. Indianapolis 1,369 3,144 43.5
years-10, 2 years-11, 1 year-10 rookies-13. 3. L.A. Chargers 1,344 3,097 43.4
DOMINATING OFFENSE
Since 2006, the Saints have been the NFL’s top offense,Cardinals vs. Saints: Preseason Game 3 16
A RUSH FOR THE END ZONE
OFFENSIVE NOTES In 2020, the Saints rushed for a team-record 30 touch-
downs, setting new team record, ranking first in the NFL.
FIRST DOWNS
2020 NFL RUSHING TOUCHDOWN LEADERS
The New Orleans Saints’ 5,450 first downs since 2006 are
ranked first in the NFC and second in the National Football Team RUSH TD
League.
1. NO 30
NFL FIRST DOWN LEADERS SINCE 2006
2. Ten. 26
Team Tot. Rush Pass Pen
3. Bal. 24
1. New England 5,491 1,774 3,223 494
ALL-TIME SINGLE-SEASON RUSHING TD LEADERS
2. New Orleans 5,450 1,565 3,523 362
Team, Year RUSH TD
3. Indianapolis 5,070 1,434 3,153 483
1. GB, 1962 36
2. Pit., 1976 33
THROUGH THE AIR
3t. SD, 2006 32
New Orleans’ 287.1 net passing yards per game lead the
3t. KC, 2003 32
National Football League since 2006.
5. KC, 2004 31
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE NET PASSING YARDS
PER GAME SINCE 2006 6t. NO, 2020 30
Rk. Team Yds. Yds./Gm. 6t. Car., 2008 30
1. New Orleans 68,893 287.1 6t. Chi., 1941 30
2. New England 62,359 259.8 6t. Was., 1983 30
3. LA Chargers 61,193 255.0 6t. NE, 1978 30
RUN GAME RALLY YARDS AFTER THE CATCH
The Saints finished 2020 ranked sixth in the NFL rushing Since 2006, the Saints rank first in the NFL in yards after
yards per game. the catch (34,007).
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE 2020 RUSHING NFL YARDS AFTER THE CATCH SINCE 2006
YARDS PER GAME LEADERS
Team YAC
Rk. Team Yds. Yds./Gm.
1. NO 34,007
1. Baltimore 3,071 191.9
2. NE 32,170
2. Tennessee 2,690 168.1
3. GB 32,127
3. Cleveland 2,374 148.4
4. New England 2,346 146.6
FOUR DOWN TERRITORY
6. Minnesota 2,283 142.7
Since 2006, the Saints are third in the NFL in fourth down
7. New Orleans 2,265 141.6 conversion rate, converting 136-of-238 attempts (57.1%).
NFL FOURTH DOWN PCT. LEADERS SINCE 2006
Rk. Team Conv./Att. Pct.
1. New England Patriots 142/236 60.2
2. Cincinnati Bengals 134/231 58.0
3. New Orleans Saints 136/238 57.1You can also read
