New Orleans Stunned: Saints Snubbed from Primetime in 2025 NFL Schedule
The NFL released the 2025 schedule earlier this week and New Orleans Saints fans aren’t very happy. Although it’s kind of hard to argue against the new schedule. For the first time in 25 years the Saints don’t have one game in primetime. Not one. But the Cowboys have 8.
As if Saints fans need any more reminders that long gone are the glory days of Drew Brees, Sean Payton and the ‘high-flying’ Saints offense. The days when Duece McCallister would bust off a 20-30 yard run, when Drew would connect with Marques Colston for a 70 yard touchdown.
No Playoffs for 4 Years
The sad reality is the Saints haven’t made the playoffs in 4 years. Their last little glimmer of glory was a dominant win over the Cowboys in AT&T Stadium last year. Frankly, after that game the Saints have been on a downhill slide ever since. In the their three primetime appearance they had last year they pretty much stunk up the joint every time.
The Saints’ quarterback Derek Carr recently announced his retirement due to ‘health issues.’ But speculation is that it has nothing to do with a shoulder injury... but that’s another story.
WWL NFL analyst Mike Detellier isn’t too surprised at the lack of primetime games this year.
“It sort of surprised me you didn’t get one. Maybe set up a game, maybe against the Falcons, but it really wasn’t a major surprise,” Detillier said.
It’s All About the Ratings
With their poor performance in primetime last year the NFL doesn’t want to risk losing their audience with poor quality games.
“For the NFL, this is all about ratings and having people watch games throughout the game. And the Saints haven’t come through for them like they had, certainly when Sean Payton and Drew Brees were, in their prime, doing this.
There Might be Hope Yet Though
But there is a glimmer of hope for Saints fans. With a young, vibrant, new head coach, a major retooling of the roster, and a new attitude in New Orleans, the season may not be a total wash. And with the NFL’s flex scheduling, NBC, ESPN or Amazon Prime can flex them into a primetime slot if they surprise the naysayers. Detillier says in order for that to happen, they will need to take advantage of their early season home games, since seven of their last 11 games will be away from the Superdome.
“They’ve got to start fast. They’ve got to come out of the box quickly, because this season schedule really is difficult toward the end,” Detillier emphasized.