The New Orleans Saints’ 2024 season kicks off with cautious excitement in New Orleans. This Saints team enters the season with a new offensive coordinator in Klint Kubiak, and his hire marks the first time in nearly two decades that a new offensive philosophy will be implemented in New Orleans. The new offensive scheme is a welcome change, but concerns about the personnel have left some fans sceptical.

Expectations are high for the Saints to compete for the division title, but do they have what it takes to become the third host city team to compete for the Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans next February? They could certainly try to shock the league. Their hopeful path home to the Superdome in February starts here in Week 1.

In truth, despite the failures of the past three seasons, the Saints haven’t been away from NFC contention for very long, much like their 2014-2016 skid, but these Saints need to make themselves believe one more time. They need to make the fans believe one more time. They need to make New Orleans believe one more time. Before time runs out.

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Throughout the season and postseason, I will be bringing you every game on the NFL schedule, along with my picks for each one. It’s been a long wait for this season to begin, so let’s get started.

WEEK1

Thursday, September 5 – NFL Kickoff 2024

Ravens at Chiefs

A season ago, the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs lost at home to Detroit in the 2023 NFL Kickoff Game, now Kansas City faces the team they beat last season to reach the Super Bowl. KC won’t lose a second straight home opener in primetime on “banner night.” Kansas City wins 29-24.

Choice: Chiefs

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Friday September 6 – NFL São Paulo Game

Packers at* Eagles – Corinthians Arena – São Paulo, Brazil

Green Bay will look to build on their late season and playoff success of last season, while Philly will look to erase the memories of their late season eclipse and playoff failure of last season. Both teams have a chance to start this season where they want, in this international showdown from Brazil. Philly will be the one with the best start here. Philadelphia wins 31-28.

Choice: Eagles

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Sunday September 8th – Early Games

Steelers at Falcons

Atlanta is the current media darling in the division early this season, and their performance here at home against Russell Wilson and Pittsburgh looking to find their feet early in the season will only fan those flames. Atlanta wins 34-23.

Choice: Falcons

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Cardinals at Bills

It’s been a season of major personnel changes in Buffalo, but those changes won’t have much impact here against the Cards. Buffalo wins 24-20.

Choice: Bills

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Titans at Bears

The Caleb Williams era officially begins in Chicago, and it will start in style with a home win over Tennessee. Chicago wins 23-21.

Choice: Bears

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Patriots at Bengals

After a hugely disappointing season in Cincinnati last year, the Bengals are looking to regain their spot atop the AFC with a healthy Joe Burrow back at the helm. The lowly Pats are a nice warm-up to start the season in Cincy. Cincinnati wins 28-17.

Choice: Bengal

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Texans at Colts

All eyes will rightfully be on C.J. Stroud and the Texans this season in the AFC South, but a healthy Anthony Richardson in Indy will have a big say in that division race. This will be a great way to start the season, but Stroud wins Round 1. Houston wins 24-21.

Choice: Texans

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Jaguars and dolphins

Jacksonville is looking to bounce back from a disappointing season last year, but faces a tough opponent at the start of the season: Miami, looking to erase the memory of their late-season slump last year. Miami wins 28-21.

Choice: Dolphins

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Vikings at Giants

Daniel Jones vs. Sam Darnold isn’t exactly the marquee quarterback matchup that most people are expecting here in Week 1, but this game will be more exciting than many might expect thanks to the receiver matchup of Justin Jefferson vs. Malik Nabors, which goes to the Vikings. Minnesota wins 28-27.

Choice: Vikings

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Panthers at Saints

The hope for New Orleans’ fortunes this season rests in the hands of Klint Kubiak and his new offensive philosophy. After nearly two decades of running the Sean Payton offense, the Saints are now looking to the future, or should I say the present, of NFL offensive strategies. Kubiak and the Saints are looking to begin this new era against a familiar division opponent. One they swept last season. One that went 2-15 last season.

Much of the focus will be on the Saints’ new offense, but just as much attention needs to be paid to the other side of the ball. The key for the Saints in this game, and this season as a whole, will be their defense, which will set the tone with a 5-sack performance against Bryce Young. The Saints’ pass rush will make things difficult for the second-year quarterback, forcing him into mistakes and allowing their own offense to take advantage of those mistakes.

This offense should be vastly improved from what we’ve seen in recent seasons, but it may take a while before things really get going. The Saints will benefit from Carolina as their first opponent, but the difficulty will change quickly. Like many of the Saints’ recent season openers, this game will be a lot tighter than it should be, but they’ll win it in the end. The Saints win 24-17.

Choice: Saints

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Sunday September 8th – Late Games

Raiders at Chargers

The Jim Harbaugh era in Los Angeles starts with a bang at home with a convincing win over their AFC West rivals from Vegas. Los Angeles wins 40-23.

Choice: Chargers

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Broncos at Seahawks

Denver rookie quarterback Bo Nix returns to the Pacific Northwest, but loses to Sean Payton in his NFL debut. Seattle wins 23-20.

Choice: Sea eagles

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Cowboys at Browns

It will be an offensive affair in Cleveland as both Dallas and Cleveland look to take the next step this season. Dallas wins 37-30.

Choice: Cowboys

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Commanders at Buccaneers

Tampa Bay looks to begin their quest for a fourth consecutive NFC South title as they host Jayden Daniels and the Commanders, who despite a promising future, may be having a tough present. Tampa Bay wins 30-21.

Choice: Pirates

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Sunday evening football

Rams at Lions – Game of the Week

This rematch of the NFC Divisional Playoff from January could be just as exciting as that game turned out to be. This time around, the Rams find a way to close the deal where they failed last time around. Los Angeles wins 24-21.

Choice: Rams

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Monday September 9 – Monday Night Football

Jets at 49ers

A year ago, Aaron Rodgers attempted to make his triumphant debut in New York on Monday Night Football. His season was over on his very first drive. Now the task becomes more difficult, as a horrific injury sends Rodgers and his Jets across the country to face the reigning NFC champion 49ers in this year’s Monday Night Football opener. San Francisco wins 28-17.

Choice: 49ers

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That’s how I see it, tell us how you think Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season will play out. Leave your comments and insights below. Finally, Saints football is back!

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