Our offseason opponent breakdown series on theRams.com continues with us getting caught up on Los Angeles' Week 13 road opponent, the New Orleans Saints (Dec. 1, 1:05 p.m. PT on FOX).
The Rams' 2024 schedule release is presented by Confirmed360.
2023
The Saints struggled to find consistency during the 2023 season. They won their first two games, lost their next two; ultimately, they were 5-5 by the time they hit their Week 11 bye.
While New Orleans went 4-3 over the final seven weeks of the regular season to finish 9-8 overall, they were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 18 after losing tiebreakers to the Buccaneers (win percentage in common games) and the Packers (win percentage in conference games). The Packers earned the No. 7 seed and final wild card playoff spot as a result.
One big difference between each of those stretches was the offense's performance. New Orleans scored at least 24 points in just 4 of their first 10 games; over their final seven, they did so four times, also coming close to the threshold with 22 and 23-point performances in two other games. Starting quarterback Derek Carr – who injured his shoulder in Week 3 – getting healthier was one of the biggest components.
The Saints' run defense also had its challenges, allowing 119 yards per game (22nd in the league).
Key changes
New Orleans parted ways with offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, who had held the position for the last 15 years, and replaced him with Klint Kubiak, previously the San Franicsco 49ers' passing game coordinator in 2023.
Kubiak was one of six offensive coaching hires by the Saints this offseason.
Offensive tackle James Hurst, who slid over to left guard after Andrus Peat moved to left tackle during the 2023 season, retired after 10 NFL seasons.
In free agency, New Orleans signed former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young to a 1-year deal. In the draft, they used their first-round pick (14th overall) to select Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga.
Head coach
Dennis Allen enters his third season as head coach of the Saints, compiling a 16-18 regular season record through his first two years.
What to watch for
New Saints offense
"New" because it will be guided by a different offensive coordinator, but also familiar because the system will like be adjacent to the one that continues to populate the league.
What can that system, a healthy Carr and a reconfigured offensive line accomplish in 2024 after the difficulties experienced last season?
