New Orleans Saints: Predicting each game of the second half

Last four:

Week 14 vs. San Francisco 49ers — 23-21, New Orleans Saints

People are probably going to expect this to be an offensive slugfest but I think it will be the defenses that stand out in this one. This game very well could decide who is the first seed in the NFC, but who knows, the 49ers could spiral down once they have to play tougher competition.

Drew Brees and the offense will get the ball back late in the game while trailing 21-20. Brees will do what he has done so often in his career and drive down the field to give Wil Lutz the game-winning field goal.

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Week 15 vs. Indianapolis Colts — 28-24, Indianapolis Colts

Even the best teams lose and this will be the one that the Saints lose to end what will be an 11-game win streak for Brees and the Saints. Coming off the high of a huge win, a team that will be right in the thick of the playoff picture will come in and upset the Saints.

The gameplan is there for the Colts: bank on that strong offensive line and run Marlon Mack until the wheels fall off to keep the Saints’ offense off the field.

Brees will get another chance late in this one but this time will come up just short as the team will need a touchdown opposed to just a field goal.

Week 16 @ Tennessee Titans — 26-10, New Orleans Saints

The Saints are going to be looking to prove something fresh off of the loss to the Colts and another AFC South team is going to be the victim. The Titans might still be in the playoff picture at this point but this will prove that they are not a playoff-caliber team.

Whether it is Ryan Tannehill or Marcus Mariota, the Saints’ defense will feast on a mediocre quarterback in this game while the offense scores early and sits on the lead the rest of the way.

Week 17 @ Carolina Panthers — 24-23, New Orleans Saints

The Panthers will yet again give the Saints a close game, especially because they will be at home and are going to look to play spoiler for the Saints.

I don’t think the Saints are going to get the luxury of resting their starters as the 49ers will also have two losses heading into Week 17. The Saints will own the tiebreaker, but a loss and a 49ers win over the Seahawks could give the 49ers the first seed.

The Panthers will score late in the game to tie it at 24, except instead of kicking the extra point the team will go out and try the two-point conversion with nothing to lose. The Saints will stop it and head into the playoffs with home-field advantage.