NEW ORLEANS SAINTS WEEKLY MEDIA INFORMATION ......thers (4-8) will host the Denver Broncos (4-8). 2...

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS WEEKLYMEDIA INFORMATION GUIDE

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLESDECEMBER 13, 2020 @ LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD

GAME INFORMATION • ROSTERS • DEPTH CHART STATISTICS • MINIBIOS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (10-2) AT

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-8-1) SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 – 3:25 P.M. (CST)

LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD – PHILADELPHIA, PA. TV: FOX (WVUE FOX 8 locally) – Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play), Daryl Johnston (color analyst) and Pam Oliver (sideline)

NATIONAL RADIO: Compass Media Networks – Chris Carrino (play-by-play) and Brian Baldinger (color analyst)

LOCAL RADIO: WWL (870 AM and 105.3 FM) – Zach Strief (play-by-play) and Deuce McAllister (color analyst)

SPANISH LANGUAGE RADIO: KGLA (830 AM and 105.7 FM) – Mario Je-rez (play-by-play), Juan Carlos Ramos and Victor Quinonez (color analysts)

THE MATCHUP Following a resilient 21-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on the road to give them the season sweep and punch their playoff ticket for a club-record fourth consecu-tive season, the New Orleans Saints (10-2), owners of a nine-game winning streak, will conclude their three-game road run against the Philadelphia Eagles (3-8-1) at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Saints proved their consistency across the board, becoming the first team in 2020 to clinch a playoff berth. Week in and Week out, the Black and Gold defense has improved and come up strong in recent weeks, while they racked up their fifth consecutive performance of surrender-ing 20 or fewer points. LB Demario Davis led a unit that allowed only 70 rushing yards on 21 carries (3.3 avg.), by posting nine tackles, one of the most important being two late fourth quarter stuffs on back to back plays of Falcons RB Todd Gurley for no gain followed by a loss of seven yards. New Orleans’ defensive front continues to spark momentum week after week, as DE Trey Hendrickson, DT David Onyemata and DE Carl Granderson each record-ed sacks, as the Saints have dropped Falcons QB Matt Ryan 20 times in the last three meetings. To end the contest, DB D.J. Swearinger broke up a Ryan pass in the end zone, taking confidence into Sunday’s matchup.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Black and Gold were productive in all phases. QB Taysom Hill tossed two touchdowns, passed for 232 yards and rushed for a career-high 83 yards, as New Orleans converted 8-of-17 (47.1%) third down attempts. To top off the run offense that fea-tured several explosive plays, RB Alvin Kamara produced 88 yards on the ground, including a 37-yard rush and an acrobatic 11-yard touchdown. WR Michael Thomas lit up the field as Hill’s biggest target with nine receptions for 105 yards, as he made history, recording his 500th reception in his 69th game, the quickest to the milestone in NFL record books. TE Jared Cook caught his team-leading fifth touch-down.

Looking to surrender under 20 points in six consecutive contests for the first time since the 2018 season, the Black and Gold defense ranked first in the NFL, will look to com-plement a diverse offense and solid special teams unit in Philadelphia, a traditionally difficult place to play. The Saints will face the Eagles looking to break a four-game losing streak and keep their postseason hopes alive, which are in distance in the NFC East. New Orleans’ fourth con-secutive division title will be clinched with a win

Around The NFC South: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) will host Minnesota (6-6), the Falcons (4-8) will travel to the Los Angeles Chargers (3-9) and the Carolina Pan-thers (4-8) will host the Denver Broncos (4-8).

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SAINTS-EAGLES CONNECTIONS Saints Head Coach Sean Payton spent part of his child-hood in the Philadelphia area and served on the Eagles coaching staff from 1997-98 as their quarterbacks coach...Saints Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi coached the Rutgers special teams units from 2002-07, also tutoring the running backs his first three and the line-backers his final three. Rizzi, Saints Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Dan Campbell and Eagles Special Teams Co-ordinator Dave Fipp served on the same Miami Dolphins staff from 2011-12. Rizzi and Philadelphia Run Game Co-ordinator/Defensive Line Matt Burke served on the same Dolphins staff from 2016-18...New Orleans Senior Defen-sive Assistant Peter Giunta served as defensive backs coach of the Eagles from 1991-94 and also served on staffs at Penn State from 1981-83 and at Lehigh from 1988-90...Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins played for Philadelphia from 2014-19...Eagles running back Boston Scott prepped at Zachary (La.) HS, played at Louisiana Tech and was a sixth round draft pick of the Saints in 2018, spending the majority of his rookie season on the Black and Gold prac-tice squad….New Orleans tackle Ryan Ramczyk, lineback-er Zack Baun and Philadelphia running back Corey Clem-ent and linebacker T.J. Edwards teammates at the Uni-versity of Wisconsin...Quarterback Drew Brees layed to-gether from 2002-2005 in San Diego with Eagles Tight Ends Coach Justin Peelle...Eagles Head Coach Doug Ped-erson was a three-year starter at Northeast Louisiana and began his coaching career at Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport...Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone led Wy-omissing (Pa.) HS to its first Pennsylvania Class AA state championship in 2012...New Orleans wide receiver Juwan Johnson and Philadelphia running back Miles Sanders were college teammates at Penn State...Saints running back Alvin Kamara, defensive tackle Shy Tuttle and Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett were college teammates at the University of Tennessee...Saints Guard/Tackle Andrus Peat and Eagles Tight End Zach Ertz were college teammates at Stanford...Saints offensive lineman Ethan Greenidge played at Villanova...Saints linebacker Kwon Alexander, quarterback Jameis WInston and Philadel-phia defensive end Vinny Curry were teammates in Tampa Bay in 2018...Philadelphia Linebackers Coach Ken Flajole served as the Saints secondary coach in 2012...Philadelphia Senior Offensive Assistant Rich Scangarello served on the coaching staff at Millsaps College (Jackson, Miss.) from 2010-11. Scangarello tu-tored Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders in Denver in 2019. Sanders and Philadelphia defensive tackle Malik Jackson were teammates with the Broncos from 1014-15 and both were a member of Denver’s Super Bowl 50 championship team...Saints Pro Scouting Coordinator Jus-tin Matthews is a Cherry Hill, N.J. native...New Orleans cornerback Patrick Robinson played for the Eagles in 2017,

where he had a key interception return for a touchdown in the 2017 NFC Championship to help in sending the Eagles to the Super Bowl...Saints Quarterbacks Coach Joe Lom-bardi served as defensive line coach/strength and conditioning coordinator at Bucknell in 2000 and as an as-sistant at Mercyhurst from 2002-05...Saints Senior Offen-sive Assistant Curtis Johnson tutored Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery in Chicago in 2016. Jeffrey and Saints S D.J. Swearinger were college teammates at South Car-olina...New Orleans Vice President of Football Administra-tion Khai Harley served as an administrative intern in Phila-delphia from 2001-02...Eagles safety Jalen Mills and line-backer Duke Riley both played at LSU, where they were teammates of both Alexander and Saints C/G Will Clapp...Riley was a standout at John Curtis (River Ridge, La.) Christian HS...Philadelphia Vice President of Player Personnel Andy Weidl was a member of the Saints player personnel department from 2000-05, serving as both a combine scout and area scout...Saints Area Scout Jon Sandusky played safety at Penn State from 1996-99 and served nine years in the Philadelphia player personnel department...New Orleans Area Scout Joey Vitt’s grew up in the Philadelphia area, when his father Joe Vitt coached linebackers for the Eagles from 1995-98.

DATING GAME This week’s game at Philadelphia is on December 13. The Saints are 4-3 on December 13. New Orleans’ first Decem-ber 13 game was a 38-27 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at Tulane Stadium in 1970 and the most recent was a 24-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015. New Orleans has not played a team multiple times on the date. Here is a brief look at New Orleans’ December 13 games:

1970 - The Saints lose to the San Francisco 49ers 38-27 at the Tulane Stadium

1981 - The Saints lose to the Green Bay Packers 35-7 at the Superdome.

1987 - New Orleans defeats the Houston Oilers 24-10 at the Superdome for the team’s seventh straight win as QB Bobby Hebert tossed three touchdowns to guarantee New Orleans a home playoff game.

1992 - The Saints defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-14 at Anaheim Stadium.

1998 - The Saints lose to the Atlanta Falcons 27-17 at the Superdome.

2009 - New Orleans improves to 13-0 with a 26-23 over-time victory at Atlanta.

2015 - New Orleans breaks a three-game losing streak to defeat Tampa Bay 24-17 at Raymond James Stadium and split the season series.

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Saints at Eagles: Week 14

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NEW ORLEANS – PHILADELPHIA STATISTICAL COMPARISON 2020 NFL Regular Season Rankings

(Through Sunday, December 6 games)

Saints Eagles

Record 10-2 3-8-1 Scoring Avg. (NFL Rank) 28.9 (5) 21.1 (26) Opp. Scoring Avg. (NFL Rank) 20.1 (4) 25.6 (18) Total Off. (NFL Rank) 370.8 (12) 318.8 (29) Rushing Off. (NFL Rank) 140.8 (7) 116.3 (14) Passing Off. (NFL Rank) 230.1 (21) 202.6 (28) Total Def. (NFL Rank) 288.8 (1) 347.1 (13)Rushing Def. (NFL Rank) 76.1 (2) 129.9 (6) Passing Def. (NFL Rank) 212.8 (5) 217.2 (7)Kickoff Return Avg. (NFL Rank) 24.9 (8) 21.6 (15)Punt Return Avg. (NFL Rank) 10.6 (8) 9.9 (11)Turnover Margin (NFL Rank) +7 (4t) -11 (30) Penalties 72 74 Penalty Yards 791 601 Opp. Penalties 49 85 Opp. Penalty Yards 411 772

THE COACHES Saints Head Coach Sean Payton has posted a 149-86 overall record (.634), including an 8-7 postseason mark after the franchise had won only one playoff game prior to his arrival in 2006. Payton holds both the club’s top victory total and winning percentage. Payton is currently ranked 25th all-time in National Football League record books in victories, fifth among active head coaches. He continues to represent the Saints as the model of stability not only within the NFC South, as he is the longest tenured head coach within the division, but also among the most accomplished within the NFL. Only the Patriots’ Bill Belichick (2000) has been with the his team longer than Payton’s 15 seasons. Payton is also one of just nine active National Football League head coaches to lead a team to a Super Bowl vic-tory. The others are Belichick, the Seahawks’ Pete Carroll, the Raiders’ Jon Gruden (Buccaneers in 2002), the Ra-vens’ John Harbaugh, the Cowboys’ Mike McCarthy (Green Bay in 2010), the Eagles’ Doug Pederson, Kansas City’s Andy Reid and the Steelers’ Mike Tomlin. The 2020 Saints are only the sixth team in NFL history to have six-game winning streaks in four consecutive seasons and with their current win streak at nine had won at least nine straight games in two of the past three seasons and have had double-digit victory figures and consecutive playoff berths in four straight years for the first time in franchise history. The 2019 Saints edition posted their second con-secutive 13-3 regular season record, capturing their third

consecutive NFC South title and playoff berth. A franchise-record six players were selected to Associated Press All-Pro and a club-best 11 were named to the Pro Bowl. New Orleans won seven games on the road for the second con-secutive season. The Saints set an NFL single-season rec-ord with only eight turnovers as they ranked second in the league in turnover ratio (+15). New Orleans also ranked third in sacks (51), tied for third in scoring (28.6 ppg.) and ranked fourth in opponent rushing yards per game. Special teams captured first place in NFL writer Rick Gosselin’s annual comprehensive rankings. Payton earned a bache-lor’s degree in communications at Eastern Illinois, where as a quarterback he had 10,665 passing yards, at the time the third-highest total in NCAA Division I-AA history. Payton was inducted into the Eastern Illinois Hall of Fame in Sep-tember of 2000 and had his jersey retired in a ceremony in September of 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.

Doug Pederson was named head coach of the Philadel-phia Eagles on January 18, 2016, after having served as the Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator (2013-15), posting a 45-36 record (combined regular season and post-season). In 2019, Pederson helped Philadelphia reach the playoffs for the third consecutive season. In 2018, Peder-son helped the Eagles win their last four games to reach the playoffs and then defeat the Chicago Bears in the NFC Wild Card round. In just his second season as an NFL head coach, Pederson led the Eagles to a 13-3 regular-season record, an NFC East title, the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs and to victory in Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots. As a first-year head coach with the Eagles in 2016, Pederson helped develop rookie quarter-back Carson Wentz, who set a team and all-time NFL rook-ie record with 379 completions. Under Pederson’s direc-tion, Wentz also posted franchise rookie records in pass attempts, passing yards and passing touchdowns. Peder-son, who enjoyed a 12-year playing career in the NFL, be-gan his pro coaching career in Philadelphia where he served under Andy Reid as an offensive quality control coach (2009-2010) and quarterbacks coach (2011-12).Pederson attended Northeast Louisiana, where he was a three-year starter at quarterback and graduated with a B.B.A. in business management. A 12-year NFL veteran, he played quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Eagles and Cleveland Browns. Pederson served as a backup quarterback for the Packers when the team won Super Bowl XXXI. Began coaching as head coach at Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, LA).


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SERIES HISTORY The New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles first met on November 5, 1967, with New Orleans posting a 31-24 victory at Tulane Stadium. It was the first win in fran-chise history, coming in Week eight of the Saints’ inaugural season. The Saints are 3-9 in games played in New Orle-ans in the regular season and 1-0 in the playoffs. The Saints have a 12-16 regular season record and a 3-1 mark in the postseason vs. the Eagles.

13 of the games in the Saints-Eagles series counting both the regular season and the playoffs have been decid-ed by a touchdown or less, with seven decided by three points or less:

Date Score Site Att.

11/5/67 W, 31-24 Tulane Stad. 59,596

11/19/67 L, 21-48 Franklin Field 60,751

12/8/68 L, 7-29 Franklin Field 57,128

10/26/69 L, 10-13 Franklin Field 60,568

11/30/69 W, 26-17 Tulane Stad. 72,805

10/29/72 W, 21-3 Tulane Stad. 65,664

10/27/74 W, 14-10 Tulane Stad. 64,257

11/6/77 L, 7-28 Veterans Stad. 53,482

9/17/78 L, 17-24 Superdome 49,242

9/16/79 L, 14-26 Superdome 54,212

11/9/80 L, 21-34 Superdome 44,340

10/11/81 L, 14-31 Superdome 52,728

12/11/83 W, 20-17 ot Veterans Stad. 45,182

10/6/85 W, 23-21 Superdome 56,364

9/20/87 L, 17-27 Veterans Stad. 57,485

12/18/89 W, 30-20 Superdome 59,218

10/13/91 W, 13-6 Veterans Stad. 64,224

9/6/92 L,13-15 Veterans Stad. 63,513

1/3/93* L, 20-36 Superdome 68,893

12/26/93 L, 26-37 Veterans Stad. 50,085

10/1/95 L, 10-15 Superdome 43,938

9/24/00 L, 7-21 Superdome 64,900

11/23/03 L, 20-33 Linc. Fin. Fld. 67,802

10/15/06 W, 27-24 Superdome 68,269

1/13/07 $ W, 27-24 Superdome 70,001

12/23/07 L, 23-38 Superdome 70,011

9/20/09 W, 48-22 Linc. Fin. Fld. 69,144

11/5/12 W, 28-13 MB Superdome 73,099

*1/4/14 W, 26-24 Linc. Fin. Fld. 69,144

10/11/15 L, 17-39 Linc. Fin. Fld. 69,296

11/18/18 W, 48-7 MB Superdome 73,042

1/13/19 $ W, 20-14 MB Superdome 73,027

* NFC Wild Card Playoff

$ NFC Divisional Playoff

SERIES FAST FACTS Saints’ Largest Margin of Victory: 41 points, Saints won 48-7 on 11/18/18 at Lincoln Financial Field.

Eagles’ Largest Margin of Victory: 27 points, Eagles won 48-21 on 11/19/67 at Franklin Field.

Current Series Streak: Two games for New Orleans (regular season/postseason combined, 11/18/18— present.

Saints’ Longest Win Streak: Three games, 11/30/69 to 10/27/74.

Eagles’ Longest Win Streak: Five games (twice), 11/6/77-10/11/81 and 9/6/92-11/23/03.

Most Points by Saints in a Game: 48 points two times, Saints won 48-22 on 9/20/09 at Lincoln Financial Field and won 48-7 on 11/18/18 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Most Points by Eagles in a Game: 48 points, Eagles won 48-21 on 11/19/67 at Franklin Field.

Most Combined Points (Both Teams): 70 points, Saints won 48-22 on 9/20/09 at Lincoln Financial Field.

Fewest Points by Saints in a Game: Seven points (twice), Eagles won 21-7 on 9/24/00 at the Superdome (most recent). Eagles won 28-7 on 11/6/77 at Veterans Stadium (first).

Fewest Points by Eagles in a Game: Three points, Saints won 21-3 on 10/29/72 at Tulane Stadium.

Fewest Combined Points (Both Teams): 19 points, Saints won 13-6 on 10/13/91 at Veterans Stadium.


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LAST MEETING NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF: New Orleans Saints 20, Philadelphia Eagles 14; January 13, 2019 @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome – A stout defensive effort which held Philadelphia scoreless for the final three quarters, com-bined with a pair of touchdown passes by quarterback Drew Brees and a standout, record-breaking perfor-mance by wide receiver Michael Thomas pushed the Saints one game closer to the Super Bowl, as they beat the Eagles for the second time this season.

Philadelphia jumped out to a 14-0 lead after a 37-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Nick Foles to wide re-ceiver Jordan Matthews and a quarterback sneak by Foles.

But the Saints rallied in the second quarter, starting on its third play when cornerback Marshon Lattimore intercept-ed Foles at the New Orleans 21-yard line. On the ensuing possession, New Orleans quarterback Taysom Hill suc-cessfully executive a fourth-and-one running conversion on a fake punt and on fourth and two from the Eagles two-yard line, Brees connected with rookie wide receiver Keith Kirk-wood to put the Saints on the scoreboard. The Saints got the Eagles off the field two times and kicker Wil Lutz put the Saints within four points with 11 seconds left in the first half when he drilled a 45-yard field goal.

Following a Philadelphia three-and-out at the start of the third quarter, Brees and the Saints offense executed an 18-play, 92 yard drive that ate up 11:29 off the clock and end-ed with a two-yard touchdown pass from the signal-caller to Thomas. The drive which included three third down conver-sions and overcame three penalties was the longest (by time) scoring drive in the NFL playoffs since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

On New Orleans’ first drive of the fourth quarter, running back Mark Ingram II rambled for a 36-yard gain to set up a 39-yard field goal by Lutz. However New Orleans’ momen-tum was stopped when a 52-yard field goal attempt by Lutz on the next possession was wide right, giving the Eagles the ball back at their 42-yard line. However on a second-and-ten-play from the Saints 27, Lattimore picked off Foles at the 19 and returned the ball 14 yards to the 33. A 12-yard rush on third down by running back Alvin Kamara with 1:03 left ensured the Saints win.

• After trailing 14-0, the Saints scored the last 20 points of the game. The 14-point comeback is the largest in Saints postseason history, surpassing the 10-point comeback to defeat the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

• For the seventh contest in their last eight, the Saints held an opponent scoreless in the fourth quarter.

• Playing in his franchise-record 13th playoff game as a Saint and 14th postseason contest overall, Brees finished 28-of-38 for 301 yards, two touchdowns and one intercep-

tion. With the two touchdown passes, Brees moves into a tie with Kurt Warner for seventh in the all-time NFL playoff record books with 31. Additionally, Brees’ 28 completions moves his career postseason total to 382, surpassing John Elway and Aaron Rodgers to move into seventh all-time. • Thomas finished with a Saints’ postseason record 171 yards on 12 receptions and added one touchdown. In fran-chise postseason history, Thomas now stands third in re-ceiving yards with 387, fifth in receptions with 27, and tied for fourth with Jimmy Graham for touchdown receptions with two. In his career, Thomas has played in three post-season games and has recorded at least 85 receiving yards in each.

• The Saints’ third quarter 18-play, 92-yard,11:29 touch-down drive resulting in a Thomas’ two-yard touchdown re-ception is the longest touchdown drive, in terms of time elapsed, in Saints’ postseason history. The 18-play drive is also the longest in National Football League postseason play since the 2007 NFC Divisional Playoffs when the Dal-las Cowboys had a 20-play touchdown drive against the New York Giants. It was the longest scoring drive by time in a playoff game since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

PLAYERS

LB Alex Anzalone (anne-zuh-LOAN-ee)

T Terron Armstead (ter-RON)

LB Zack Baun (BONN)

WR Marquez Callaway (mar-QWEZ)

LB Demario Davis (duh-MAR-ee-oh)

WR/RS Deonte Harris (deo-on-tay)

RB Alvin Kamara (kuh-Mare-Uh)

DT David Onyemata (own-yay-MAH-ta)

T/G Andrus Peat (ANN-druss PEET)

T Ryan Ramczyk (RAM-check)

C/G Cesar Ruiz (roo-EEZ)

QB Trevor Siemian (sim-EE-in)

COACHES

Senior Defensive Asst. Peter Giunta (GEN-ta).

Offensive Line Coach Dan Roushar (ROW-shar).


HOW DO YOU SAY IT

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2020 SAINTS COMMUNICATIONS STAFF

Greg Bensel-Senior Vice President of Communications and Broadcasting

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (504) 731-1794

Doug Miller-Executive Director of Football Communica-tions


Phone: (504) 731-1895

Justin Macione-Director of Football Communications/Publications Director


Phone: (504) 731-1848

Evan Meyers-Football Communications/Legends Program Manager


Phone: (504) 731-1844

Jordy Spitale-Corporate Communications Manager


Phone: (504) 731-1894

Davis Friend-Communications Associate


Phone: (504) 731-1842

JULY

27 – Signed draft picks G/C Cesar Ruiz, LB Zack Baun, QB Tommy Stevens and TE Adam Trautman.

28 – Placed TEs Cole Wick and Jason Vander Laan on Reserve/Did Not Report/Covid Opt-Out.

AUGUST

2 – Waived DB Chris Johnson, WR Tommylee Lewis, OL

Adrian Magee, RB Taquan Mizzell Sr., WR Maurice Har-ris, DL Gus Cumberlander, FB Ricky Ortiz, WR Krishawn Hogan and CB Deatrick Nichols, waived/injured DL Kenny Bigelow Jr.

3 – Signed WR Bennie Fowler. Waived DT Taylor Stall-worth.

7 – Signed LB Nigel Bradham.

19 – Signed TE Ethan Wolf.

20 – Placed DB Tino Ellis on Injured Reserve.

24 – Placed CB Johnson Bademosi on Injured Reserve and terminated contract of LB Nigel Bradham.

25 – Signed CB Kemon Hall.

26 – Reached an injury settlement with CB Tino Ellis.

29 – Signed DEs Anthony Lanier II and DE T.J. Carter and LB Wynton McManis and waived OL Darrin Paulo.

30 – Placed DL Jalen Dalton on Injured Reserve. Placed RB Dwayne Washington on Reserve/Covid-19.

SEPTEMBER

5 – Terminated contracts of LB Anthony Chickillo, DL Mario Edwards Jr., WR Bennie Fowler III, DL Margues Hunt and OL Patrick Omameh. Waived LB Joe Bachie, WRs Emmanuel Butler and Austin Carr, DE T.J. Carter, LB Andrew Dowell, TE Garrett Griffin, CB Kemon Hall, WRs Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Juwan Johnson, RB To-ny Jones Jr., LB Wyton McManis, OL Jordan Steckler, TE Tommy Stevens, OL Calvin Throckmorton, C/G Camer-on Tom, DB Keith Washington II and TE Ethan WOlf. Placed LB Kiko Alonso on Reserve/PUP. Placed DE An-thony Lanier II on Injured Reserve. Placed OL James Hurst on Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner. Waived/Injured DB Saquan Hampton.

6 – Placed DB Saquan Hampton on Injured Reserve. Agreed to practice squad contracts with LB Joe Bachie, WR Austin Carr, LB Anthony Chickillo, LB Andrew Dowell, WR Bennie Fowler III, TE Garrett Griffin, CB Kemon Hall, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey, DL Margus Hunt, WR Juwan Johnson, RB Tony Jones Jr., TE Tommy Stevens, OL Calvin Throckmorton, C/G Cameron Tom and DB Keith Washington II.

9 – Signed DE Marcus Willoughby to the practice squad and placed P Blake Gillikin on Injured Reserve.

9 – Reached an injury settlement with DE Anthony Lanier.

12 – Signed WR Bennie Fowler III and DL Margus Hunt to the active roster from the practice squad. Signed RB Alvin Kamara to a five-year contract extension.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE


TRANSACTIONS

COMMUNICATIONS STAFF

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SEPTEMBER

13 – Agreed to terms with LB Demario Davis on three-year contract extension.

14 – WR Bennie Fowler III and DL Margus Hunt reverted to the practice squad from the active roster. Reached an inju-ry settlement with DB Saquan Hampton.

18 – Activated RB Dwayne Washington from Reserve-Covid.

19 – Signed DB Grant Haley and DT Anthony Zettel to practice squad. LB Anthony Chickillo terminated practice squad contract. Terminated practice squad contract of CB Kemon Hall.

21 – Signed WR Bennie Fowler III and DL Margus Hunt to the active roster from the practice squad.

22 – WR Bennie Fowler III and DL Margus Hunt reverted to the practice squad from the active roster. .

26 – Signed WR Bennie Fowler III and DL Margus Hunt to active roster from the practice squad. Placed RB Ty Mont-gomery on practice squad and waived C/G Will Clapp.

28 – Signed CB Ken Crawley to the practice squad.

29 – Signed C/G Will Clapp to the practice squad.

30 – Signed WR Malik Henry to practice squad. Placed WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey on practice squad Injured Re-serve.

OCTOBER

3 – Elevated CB Ken Crawley and TE Garrett Griffin to the active roster from the practice squad. Signed C/G Will Clapp to the active roster from the practice squad. Placed LB Chase Hansen on Injured Reserve.

5 – CB Ken Crawley and TE Garrett Griffin reverted to practice squad. T/G James Hurst suspension lifted by Commissioner. Team granted roster exemption.

8 – Waived C/G Will Clapp and signed WR Tommylee Lewis to the practice squad.

10 – Signed C/G Will Clapp to practice squad. Terminated practice squad contract of WR Malik Henry.

12 – CB Ken Crawley signed to active roster from practice squad. T/G James Hurst roster exemption lifted. Terminat-ed contract of DL Margus Hunt. Elevated WR Austin Carr and TE Garrett Griffin to active roster from practice squad.

13 – WR Austin Carr and TE Garrett Griffin reverted to the

practice squad.

22 – Signed DE Will Clarke to the practice squad.

23 – Placed CB Ken Crawley and WR Emmanuel Sanders on Reserve/COVID-19 and WR Bennie Fowler III on In-jured Reserve.

24 – Activated WR Austin Carr (COVID-19 replacement), C/G Will Clapp and WR Juwan Johnson (COVID-19 re-placement) from the practice squad.

26 – WR Austin Carr (COVID-19 replacement), C/G Will Clapp and WR Juwan Johnson (COVID-19 replacement) reverted to the practice squad.

28 – Reinstated CB Ken Crawley from Reserve/COVID-19.

31 – Activated WR Austin Carr , C/G Will Clapp (COVID-19 replacement) and WR Juwan Johnson from the practice squad. Signed WR Tommylee Lewis to active roster from practice squad.

NOVEMBER

2 – WR Austin Carr, C/G Will Clapp (COVID-19 replace-ment and WR Juwan Johnson reverted to the practice squad. Waived WR Tommylee Lewis. Acquired LB Kwon Alexander from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for LB Kiko Alonso and a conditional fifth round draft pick.

4 – Placed LB Marcus Willoughby on practice squad In-jured Reserve, signed TE Ethan Wolf and WR Tommylee Lewis to the practice squad. Reinstated WR Emmanuel Sanders from Reserve/COVID-19.

6 – Placed DB Justin Hardee and DT Sheldon Rankins on Injured Reserve, Activated RB Ty Montgomery off of In-jured Reserve.

11 – Signed DE Christian Ringo to the practice squad and terminated practice squad contract of TE Tommy Stevens.

13 – Activated LB Chase Hansen from Injured Reserve.

17 – Terminated practice squad contract of DE Will Clarke and signed DT Ryan Glasgow to the practice squad.

20 – Placed QB Drew Brees on Injured Reserve.

21 – TE Garrett Griffin signed to active roster from practice squad. Signed QB Trevor Siemian and received roster exemption. Elevated DT Ryan Glasgow from practice squad.

22 – DT Ryan Glasgow reverted to the practice squad.

24 – Waived LB Chase Hansen.

26 – Signed LB Chase Hansen to the practice squad.



TRANSACTIONS

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CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

28 – Placed T Terron Armstead on Reserve/COVID-19. Elevated WR Austin Carr to active roster from practice squad (COVID-19 elevation) and also elevated G/C Will Clapp and DT Ryan Glasgow.

29 – Placed T/G Derrick Kelly on Reserve/COVID-19. Elevated G/C Cameron Tom to active roster from practice squad (COVID-19 elevation).

28 – C/G Cameron Tom, WR Austin Carr, G/C Will Clapp and DT Ryan Glasgow reverted to practice squad from active roster.

DECEMBER

5 – Activated DE Anthony Zettel, C/G Will Clapp (COVID-19 replacement), WR Juwan Johnson (COVID-19 replace-ment) and WR Tommylee Lewis to active roster from prac-tice squad. Activated DT Sheldon Rankins from Injured Reserve, placed WR Marquez Callaway on Injured Re-serve and signed CB Grant Haley to active roster from practice squad.

7– DE Anthony Zettel, C/G Will Clapp, WR Juwan Johnson and WR Tommylee Lewis reverted to practice squad.

REGULAR SEASON

Date Opponent Time/Network/Result

Sept. 13 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS W, 34-23

Sept. 21 @Las Vegas Raiders L, 24-34

Sept. 27 GREEN BAY PACKERS L, 30-37

Oct. 4 @Detroit Lions W, 35-29

Oct. 12 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS W, 30-27 OT

--—-——-———————-BYE——————————-

Oct. 25 CAROLINA PANTHERS W, 27-24

Nov. 1 @Chicago Bears W, 26-23 OT

Nov. 8 @Tampa Bay Buccaneers W, 38-3

Nov. 15 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS W, 27-13

Nov. 22 ATLANTA FALCONS W, 24-9

Nov. 29 @Denver Broncos W, 31-3

Dec. 6 @Atlanta Falcons W, 21-16

Dec. 13 @Philadelphia Eagles 3:25/FOX

Date Opponent Time/Network/Result

Dec. 20 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 3:25/CBS

Dec. 25 MINNESOTA VIKINGS 3:30/FOX

Jan. 3 @Carolina Panthers 12:00/FOX

WEEK 1: Saints 34, Buccaneers 23; September 13, 2020 @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome – Drew Brees and Tom Brady, the two leading passers in National Football League history, couldn't muster vintage performances in the first NFL game featuring two starting quarterbacks in their 40s.

But while Brees avoided game-turning mishaps with an offense he's led since 2006, Brady suffered some costly cross-ups with his new team. Brady threw two interceptions in his Tampa Bay debut, Alvin Kamara scored touchdowns running and receiving, and the New Orleans Saints beat the Buccaneers 34-23 on Sunday.

“I made some just bad, terrible turnovers,” Brady said. "I obviously have got to do a lot better job.”

The first of Brady’s interceptions led to Kamara’s six-yard touchdown run. The second pick thrown by the new, 43-year-old Bucs QB — who left the Patriots in free agency after 20 years and six Super Bowl triumphs — was re-turned 36 yards for a touchdown by Janoris Jenkins.

“Win the turnover battle like we did, have a turnover for a touchdown, you’re a 90-something percent winner in those games,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. ”Just a lot of things happened in that game that despite how you play, those things can help you win games. The energy and ef-fort I was pleased with.”

The 41-year-old Brees passed for 160 yards and two TDs. He did not turn the ball over and took only one sack. His first TD pass was a dump-off to Kamara from 12 yards out. In the fourth quarter he hit free-agent signing Emmanuel Sanders for a 5-yard score.

“I’d probably say I played awful,” Brees said. “Certainly, we are used to playing at a much higher level offensively and especially in the passing game. So, we’ll get that back on track.”

Still, Brees found satisfaction in beating Brady's Bucs.

“Of course, it’s significant and it’s unique and I’d be lying to you if I said to you it didn’t mean a little bit more," Brees said. "I've got so much love and respect for (Brady) and what he’s able to accomplish.



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CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE-WEEK 1 VS. TAMPA BAY

“We played against each other in college, for goodness sake, in 1999,” Brees continued. “At the end of the day, I think we would both pinch ourselves if you told us back then we’d have the opportunity to play this long and be a part of so many great teams and moments, historic mo-ments.”

Few witnessed this latest bit of history in person, with gov-ernment leaders and the Saints organization having agreed that no fans should attend the opener amid the coronavirus pandemic.

That turned the normally deafening Mercedes-Benz Super-dome into more of an echo chamber. When kicker Wil Lutz’s field goal put New Orleans up 17-7, the squeaking of pulleys could be heard as the net behind the goalpost was lowered.

Brady compared the environment to “a scrimmage.”

“But obviously, it counts,” he added. “We’ve got to look each other in the eye and all work harder, put more urgen-cy on the things we have to do.”

Tight end Jared Cook caught five passes for 80 yards for New Orleans, highlighted by a 46-yard reception down the left side that set up Sanders' touchdown. Brady was 15 of 28 passing for 157 yards and one touchdown through the first 54 minutes. He padded his numbers in garbage time, finishing with 239 yards and two touchdowns, the second scoring strike going to wide receiverMike Evans with 2:41 left.

Tampa Bay's opening drive was promising for Brady, who the Bucs hope can lead them to their first playoff appear-ance since the 2007 season.

He lofted a 26-yard completion to wide receiver Chris God-win along the right sideline, drew a pass interference pen-alty with a 22-yard attempt to Evans and capped the drive with a 2-yard keeper, after which he emphatically spiked the ball.

It was a fleeting, triumphant moment for the Bucs in a game defined more, in the end, by their new star's mis-takes.

FORTUITOUS MOVES

The Saints saw two players activated from the practice squad come up with big special teams plays. DL Margus Hunt blocked a 54-yard field goal attempt. WR Bennie Fowler recovered a muffed kickoff at the Tampa Bay 18 in the fourth quarter, setting up a 21-yard field goal that made it 34-17 with 8:01 left.

WEEK 2: Las Vegas Raiders 34, New Orleans Saints 24; September 21, 2020 @ Allegiant Stadium – After being in control of the contest with a 17-7 lead, the Saints got caught in a hailstorm of a comeback in the desert debut of the NFL in Las Vegas, where the Raiders scored 24 con-secutive points in the final three quarters in a loss that dropped New Orleans to 1-1. Despite struggles on offense, New Orleans seemed to be inching back early in the fourth quarter when CB P.J. William recovered a fumble by Raid-ers QB Derek Carr at the Saints 40. But New Orleans couldn’t get past the Las Vegas 47 and Carr engineered a ten-play, 89-yard drive that ended with a 20-yard rushing TD by RB Jalen Richard.

Carr completed 28-of-38 passes for 282 yards, three touch-downs, zero interceptions and a 120.7 passer rating, de-spite being sacked three times.

New Orleans held Las Vegas scoreless on their first two offensive possessions, including one late in the first quarter where DT David Onyemata sacked Carr on third down to get the defense off the field. But the momentum quickly changed when the Raiders forced a three-and-out. Carr led Las Vegas on a 11-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown pass to FB Alec Ingold. The club’s then traded touchdowns, but Raiders K Daniel Carlson booted a 28-yard field goal as time expired at the half to tie the score

On the fifth play from scrimmage of the third quarter, Raid-ers TE Foster Moreau had a 31-yard grab from Carr to set up a one-yard touchdown throw to TE Darren Waller. Once the Saints got the ball back, their only drive of the third quarter was stunted at the Las Vegas 43-yard line by 35 yards. Following Richard’s fourth quarter touchdown, New Orleans would match it with a three-yard rushing touch-down by RB Alvin Kamara. On Las Vegas’ next drive, Carl-son kicked a 54-yard field goal, set up by a 29-yard pass interference penalty assessed to CB Janoris Jenkins.

WEEK 3: Green Bay Packers 37, New Orleans Saints 30; September 27, 2020 @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome – The Saints battled back from four deficits to tie the score at 27-27 on the final play from scrimmage in the fourth quarter on a spectacular 52-yard touchdown reception by RB Alvin Kamara, then stopped Green Bay on downs near midfield to put themselves in position to take a fourth quar-ter lead. But a fumble that set up a field goal, hurt New Or-leans’ momentum, as well as three defensive penalties on Green Bay’s drive, proving to be the difference in the Pack-ers’ win.



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CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE-WEEK 3

In a contest that featured seven different lead changes, New Orleans tied the score on the last play from scrim-mage of the third quarter at 27-27 when Kamara took a screen pass from QB Drew Brees and slithered and broke multiple tackles for the career-long 52-yard receiving touch-down, also moving into first place in franchise history in multiple-score contests (16). S Malcolm Jenkins and CB Marshon Lattimore then combined to stop Packers RB Aaron Jones on an unsuccessful fourth-and-one rush-ing near midfield.

Following a seven-yard rush by RB Latavius Murray, QB Taysom Hill fumbled on an option play as it was forced and it was recovered by Green Bay LB Z’Darius Smith, setting up a 49-yard field goal by K Mason Crosby. On Green Bay’s final drive, with the Packers up 30-27 and third-and-three, LB Demario Davis jumped offsides, giving QB Aaron Rodgers a free play. On it, CB Janoris Jenkins was assessed a defensive pass interference penalty at the New Orleans one-yard line, exhausting New Orleans’ hopes for a comeback.

Kamara had a huge performance, setting career-highs in both receiving yardage and touchdown receptions with 13 grabs for 139 yards and two scores, adding 58 rushing yards on 12 carries for 187 total yards from scrimmage. Brees completed 29-of-36 passes for 288 yards with three touchdown throws, zero interceptions and a 127.8 rating.

Rodgers completed 21-of-32 passes for 283 yards with three touchdown passes, zero interceptions and a 124.9 passer rating. Green Bay WR Allen Lazard recorded six catches for 146 yards with one touchdown, including a ca-reer-long 72-yard grab. Packers RB Aaron Jones rushed 16 times for 69 yards with one touchdown, as the Saints did not surrender 100 yards rushing to a player for the 45th consecutive regular season/postseason contest, now tied for the third-longest streak in NFL record books.

WEEK 4: New Orleans Saints 35, Detroit Lions 29, Oc-tober 4, 2020 at Ford Field- The New Orleans Saints came away with a convincing win against the Lions, show-casing their run game versatility, dominant defense and effective passing game, scoring 35 unanswered points.

The Lions offense put up two touchdowns within the first five minutes of play, displaying an early 14-0 lead against the Saints. The Detroit defense came up with an intercep-tion on the Saints’ first play, to put them in prime field posi-tion. QB Matthew Stafford found targets RB D’Andre Swift and WR Kenny Golladay during their first scores.

QB Drew Brees and the Saints offense overcame the two-touchdown deficit, going into the half with a 28-14 lead.

Running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray took command of the run game, splitting up touches throughout the game. New Orleans had a total 164 yards rushing, Kamara with 19 carries for 83 yards (4.4 yd avg) and Mur-ray with 14 carries for 64 yards (4.6 yd avg). The run game capitalized in the red zone, exhibiting Kamara’s seventh touchdown this season, as well as two rushing scores from Murray.

Brees and the New Orleans passing offense were con-sistent throughout the contest, with two stand out targets, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith. Brees threw for a total of 246 yards, two touchdowns and went 19 for 25. Sanders led the team in receiving, during a breakout game with 6 receptions for 93 yards, his season high. Brees connected with Smith twice in the endzone, giving him (Smith) a total of 4 recep-tions for 54 yards.

The Saints offense went five-for-five in the red zone against the Lions defense, scoring touchdowns on each attempt.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan, Defensive tackle David Onyemata and Defensive end Trey Hendrickson led the pass rush, each coming up with one sack apiece. Corner-back Patrick Robinson forced a critical turnover, picking off Stafford in the end zone in the second quarter.

• New Orleans’ defense was steady on all aspects. The Saints’ run defense held the Lions to 90 yards rushing and only allowed a season-low 281 total yards, the first time they gave up under 300 yards this season. Surrendering only 36 yards rushing to Lions running back Adrian Peter-son, New Orleans has not allowed an opposing run-ning back to reach the century mark for their last 46 regular season and postseason games, the third-longest streak in the National Football League.

• Kamara scored a touchdown for the sixth consecutive regular season game dating back to 2019, tying the fran-chise mark for consecutive contests with a score.

• Jordan’s sack gives him four against Detroit, tying the franchise for fourth among teams on his list of sack victims behind the three NFC South clubs, Atlanta, Carolina and Tampa Bay.

• The victory improved New Orleans’ all-time regular sea-son record vs. Detroit to 13-12-1, increasing the number of clubs they have a winning record against to nine.

• Head Coach Sean Payton now has 141 career wins in regular season/postseason combined, moving him into a tie with John Fox for 25th all-time in National Football League record books.


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WEEK 5: New Orleans Saints 30, Los Angeles Chargers 27, October 4, 2020 at Mercedes-Benz Super-dome- Wil Lutz kicked a 36-yard field goal with 5:08 left in overtime and New Orleans' defense stopped Chargers re-ceiver Mike Williams just short on fourth down to preserve a 30-27 victory over seemingly star-crossed Los Angeles on Monday night.

Chargers kicker Michael Badgley, who missed his first career point-after kick wide right in the first quarter, had a chance to redeem himself after Williams' leaping catch be-tween two defenders put the Chargers on the Saints' 32-yard line in the final seconds. But Badgley's 50-yard kick as time expired bounced off the right upright.

"The young man has been kicking outstanding. He's got to do better but we could have done some other things bet-ter," Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said.

Drew Brees rushed for a 1-yard touchdown and hit tight end Jared Cook for a 41-yard score as the Saints rallied from a 17-point deficit in the second quarter.

"This is how you grow as a team," Brees said. "This is how you become battle-tested — and I think it pays divi-dends."

Rookie Justin Herbert's fourth touchdown pass of the game, a 64-yarder to Michael Williams, briefly put Los An-geles back in front before the Saints (3-2) tied it on Taysom Hill's nine-yard run with 52 seconds remaining in regula-tion.

The Chargers (1-4) fell to their fourth straight loss by a touchdown or less, and the second in overtime. They also blew a 17-point lead for a second straight game.

"Never thought this team would lose four straight. We've put ourselves in position, but we didn't get it done," Lynn said. "We have to finish these damn games."

Herbert, who was named the starter for the remainder of the season this week, finished 20 of 34 for 264 yards with-out an turnover. Five of his completions went to Williams for 109 yards and two TDs.

Brees finished 33 of 47 for 325 yards, including 12 com-pletions to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders for 122 yards, as his 13 career overtime wins a starting quarterback broke a tie with Tom Brady since it was instituted in the 1974 sea-son. Kamara had 119 yards from scrimmage, highlighted by his leaping, juggling catch along the right sideline over the head of safety Rayshawn Jenkins to set up Hill's tying TD.

In Week Four, it was Tampa Bay's Tom Brady, a six-time Super Bowl winner. This week it was Brees — the NFL's all

-time leader in completions, yards and touchdowns.

Brees' dive over a pile of linemen at the goal line made it 20-10 14 seconds before halftime.

Lutz' 53-yard field goal pulled New Orleans within a touchdown in the third quarter. Then Brees found Cook open behind the Chargers' secondary on third-and-long to tie it early in the fourth quarter.

In staking Los Angeles to an early 20-3 lead, Herbert became the first rookie to pass for three TDs in the first half of a Monday night game.

His first came touchdown pass of the evening when he rolled right away from pressure and fired a 17-yard pass down the sideline to Allen.

Herbert's 49-yard completion to Jalen Guyton set up his four-yard scoring strike to Williams one play later. The touchdown capped a drive extended by a roughing-the-punter penalty against New Orleans RB Dwayne Washing-ton.

Chargers S Nasir Adderly's interception of Brees and 39-yard return to the Saints one-yard line set up Herbert's three-yard scoring pass to TE Hunter Henry, which made it 20-3.

WEEK 7: Saints 27, Carolina Panthers 24, October 25, 2020 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome– The Saints earned a hard-fought 27-24 victory over the Carolina Panthers with 3,000 fans in attendance for the first time this season at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, Oct. 25

Saints QB Drew Brees found a rhythm on the opening possession, driving 75 yards which ended with a four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jared Cook. The score marked the first time the Saints have scored a touchdown on the opening possession of a game in the 2020 season.

With two of his top targets inactive for the contest, Brees relied on rookie WR Marquez Callaway, WR/RS Deonte Harris, WR Tre’Quan Smith and RB Alvin Kamara in the passing game. Star rWRs Michael Thomas (hamstring) and Emmanuel Sanders (Covid-19) were absent..

Brees completed 29-of-36 passes for 387 yards and two scores. In a standout performance, Callaway hauled in eight catches for 75 yards. The Saints were 12 of 14 on third down and never punted.

The Saints rushing attack, led by Kamara and Latavius Murray, combined for 130 yards on the ground. Kamara also notched eight receptions for 65 yards. After a 16-yard grab in the second half, Kamara joined Roger Craig and Christian McCaffrey as the only players with at least 2,500 rushing and 2,500 receiving yards in their first four seasons in NFL history.



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CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE-WEEK SEVEN

While the New Orleans defense had some struggles, DE Marcus Davenport stepped up when it mattered most. Dav-enport sacked former Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater for a eight-yard loss with two minutes remaining, knocking Caro-lina out of reasonable field goal range. Joey Slye attempted a 65-yard field goal to tie the game, but just came up short.

“I thought the sack on third down was critical,” Saints Head Coach Sean Payton said during his postgame press conference. “It put them in a much different position. It was a good win.”

Bridgewater, who played two seasons with the Saints before joining Carolina this season, completed 23-of-28 passes for 254 yards, including a 74-yard touchdown strike to wideout D.J. Moore.

WEEK 8: New Orleans Saints 26, Chicago Bears 23, November 1, 2020 @ Soldier Field – The New Orleans Saints earned a 26-23 overtime victory over the Bears be-hind the leg of kicker Wil Lutz on a crisp, autumn afternoon at Soldier Field on Sunday, Nov. 1, All Saints Day. Lutz knocked home a 35-yard field goal with 2:12 left in overtime to secure the fourth consecutive win of the sea-son for New Orleans, which is 5-2 and tied for first with Tampa Bay in the NFC South. "It was a hard fought game," Saints Coach Sean Payton said during his postgame press conference. "I think in the second half we played better football. It's good when you win an overtime game like that - it's the second one this year. There's a little bit of grit and toughness that I think you begin to build. I don't think you just start with it." Saints quarterback Drew Brees completed 31-of-41 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Brees connected with tight end Jared Cook on a 16-yard touchdown strike with three seconds remaining in the first half, trimming Chica-go's lead to 13-10 at the break. Taysom Hill found paydirt late in regulation on at 20-yard pass from Brees, extending the Saints lead to 23-13. On the play Brees surpassed Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady for most career touch-down passes (560 to 559). Running back Alvin Kamara hauled in nine passes for 96 yards, finishing with 163 all-purpose yards in the contest. New Orleans' first three offensive possessions of the sec-ond half started inside Chicago territory. Return man Deonte Harris set up the Saints offense with excellent field position on a pair of electrifying punt returns, including a 42-yard return setting the Saints up in the red zone mid-way through the third quarter. Defensively, New Orleans tallied 5.0 sacks on the after-noon. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson established a new season high (5.5 sacks) on the year with one quarterback takedown. Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore came up with an interception with 8:34 to play in the third quarter. The takeaway came on the ensuing play after Bears wideout Javon Wims was ejected for throwing multiple punches at Saints defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

Saints linebacker Demario Davis had an opportunity to seal the win in regulation, but a forward progress call allowed Chicago to maintain possession after Davis forced and jumped on a fumble. Bears quarterback Nick Foles completed 28-of-41 passes for 272 yards tor two touchdowns and one interception. Foles connected with former Tulane Green Wave wideout Darnell Mooney five times for 69 yards and one touch-down. Star receiver Allen Robinson had six receptions for 87 yards and a score. Chicago running back David Montgomery flirted with a 100-yard rushing game, finishing with 21 carries for 89 yards.

WEEK 9: Saints 38, Buccaneers 3; November 8, 2020 @ Raymond James Stadium – Drew Brees vs. Tom Brady, and the battle for the supremacy of the NFC South, was a one-sided affair. Brees threw for 222 yards and four touchdowns, regaining the NFL career TD pass lead and lifting the New Orleans Saints into first place with a 38-3 rout of Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night. The three-time defending division champion won their fifth straight game, intercepting Brady three times and complet-ing a season sweep of the Bucs (6-3), who also suffered a double-digit loss at New Orleans in Week 1. “Each time you can win and find different ways to win, I think it just builds confidence and creates momentum,” Brees said. “Obviously tonight was a great night,” he added. “All the way around in all three phases, it was pretty exceptional.”

The Saints (6-2) weren’t perfect—turning the ball over twice themselves-however the offense was extremely effi-cient with receivers Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sand-ers back in the lineup, and the defense played its best game of the season.

Brees was 26 of 32 passing, including first-half TD throws of 14 yards to Tre’Quan Smith, 8 yards to Adam Trautman and 12 yards to Sanders, who missed the previous two games while on the COVID-19 list. The 41-year old added a three-yarder to Josh Hill to make it 38-0 with just over nine minutes remaining. “We knew this was a big game, divisional opponent, Tam-pa’s playing extremely well,: said Brees, who lost a fumble on Tampa Bay’s only sack but didn’t throw an interception. “Obviously we’re been a little short-handed over the last few weeks … Tonight, it was good to get them back in the mix,” Brees added. “We wanted to spread the ball around, wanted to play complementary football. I can’t say enough about our defense, they just played phenomenal.”

Brees regained the league career TD pass lead with 564, three more than the 43-year old Brady, who had thrown for 17 touchdowns and just one interception over the previous six games.


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WEEK 10: Saints 27, 49ers 13, Nov. 15, 2020 at Mer-cedes-Benz Superdome- With QB Drew Brees sidelined by a rib injury, the Saints turned to their defense to defeat the San Francisco 49ers 27-13 in front of 6,000 fans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, Nov. 15.

The defense delivered. All-Pro LB Demario Davis notched a game high 12 tackles, while DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson tallied eight total tackles, including his first career sack. DBs Malcolm Jenkins and Patrick Robinson each intercepted 49ers QB Nick Mullens. Special teams played a factor in the field position game for New Orleans. Undrafted rookie Marquez Callaway came up with two muffed punt recoveries, and rookie LB Zack Baun also delivered a high-impact special teams tackle. It took the Saints offense while to get going, but a 75-yard Deonte Harris kick return sparked the first score of the game, a 49-yard Wil Lutz field goal. Brees completed 8-of-13 passes for 76 yards and one score before exiting the game with a rib injury at halftime. He took a hard hit in the second quarter on a sack by 49ers defensive end Kentavius Street. Street was called for un-necessary roughness on the play. "He took a heavy shot in the first half," Saints Coach Sean Payton said during his postgame press conference. "As he came out in the second half, he felt it was really impacting him. He'll get an MRI and x-rays. His back felt sore. As he tried to throw, he just came up to me and said, 'Hey, I don't feel like I'm capable of playing.' And so quickly we made the switch, and you know, that happens sometimes." "I was not going to be able to be effective," Brees said. "It had nothing to do with pain. It was definitely just what my body was going to be able to do or not be able to do." Jameis Winston's first pass replacing Brees went for a first down. Winston completed 6-of-10 passes for 63 yards, while Taysom Hill carried the ball eight times for 45 yards from the quarterback position. "My main job is to serve my teammates and help put us in a position to win the football game," Winston said during his postgame press conference. "I am happy we had a great team win today." Five quarterbacks took at least one snap between the two teams in Sunday's contest. Running back Alvin Kamara hauled in seven receptions for 83 yards and a score and added two short rushing touch-downs. In addition to Brees, the Saints had these players leave the game with injuries, tight end Josh Hill, wide re-ceiver Tre'Quan Smith, cornerback Marshon Lattimore and defensive tackle Malcom Brown.

WEEK 11: New Orleans Saints 24, Atlanta Falcons 9, November 22, 2020 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome- Driving accurate throws downfield, exhibiting poise in the pocket and scrambling judiciously, Taysom Hill capitalized on his first true opportunity to make his case as a candi-date to one day succeed record-setting star Drew Brees as the Saints quarterback.

Hill rushed for two touchdowns and completed 78.3% of his

passes for 233 yards in his first NFL start at quarterback, and New Orleans beat the Atlanta Falcons 24-9 on Sunday to extend its winning streak to seven games. “Man, he played tremendous,” said Saints receiver Michael Thomas, who caught nine passes for 104 yards. “I could see the look in his eyes. He was ready for the moment.” With the 41-year-old Brees sidelined at least three games with multiple rib fractures, Saints coach Sean Payton gave Hill the nod over offseason free-agent acquisition Jameis Winston. The decision meant a lot to Hill, who persevered through an injury-plagued college career at BYU before starting his NFL career as a 27-year-old undrafted rookie in 2017. And because Hill initially flourished in an unconventional utility role, with duties ranging from change-of-pace option QB to tight end and special teams, he played in 46 previous NFL games before finally getting his first start under center. “I spent a lot of time reflecting this week. My wife and I had so many conversations about were we’ve been, the pro-cess of getting here," Hill said. "If I’m being honest, it was an emotional week.” Hill looked comfortable running the scheme Payton de-signed for him. He completed 18 of 23 passes without an interception and used his all-around athleticism to run inter-mittently on scrambles or designed read-option plays, fin-ishing with a team-high 51 yards rushing. The biggest blemish in his performance was an inconsequential, fourth-quarter fumble after a 20-yard run to the Atlanta 22. Still, he had a better day than Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, who was sacked eight times and finished 19-of-37 passing for 232 yards, no touchdowns and two intercep-tions to defensive backs Marcus Williams and Janoris Jen-kins. Cameron Jordan sacked Ryan three times, while Trey Hendrickson and David Onyemata each had two sacks. “You’ve got to give the Saints credit. They did a great job on defense,” Falcons interim coach Raheem Morris said. “The defensive backs, they did a nice job of limiting us on what we were able to do. They had a nice game plan for us. They did a nice job of keeping Matt under control and they did a nice job keeping our receivers under control.” Hill entered having thrown just five passes with four com-pletions for 86 yards this season and was 10 of 18 for 205 yards in his career, leaving him relatively unproven as a passer. Not anymore. While his all-around athleticism would have made scrambling a tempting default choice, he regularly showed patience and poise while delivering accurate pass-es moments before impact from onrushing defenders. “I always know that I have the ability, if things break down, that I can make a play,” Hill said. “But my mindset was: let's keep your eyes down the field and let's find opportuni-ties” for receivers. Hill was among the last to leave the field after the game, raising one hand to acknowledge cheers of the pandemic-limited crowd of about 6,000. All that was missing was a first-career scoring pass — part-ly because of how effectively the Saints ran the ball. Alvin Kamara scored New Orleans' first touchdown on a three-yard run, Hill scored the second on a fourth down keeper from the Atlanta 2, and Hill's second TD came on a 10-yard scramble. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE


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CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE-WEEK 11 Kamara, Hill and Latavius Murray powered a ground game that netted 168 yards, which helped the Saints (8-2) sus-tain drives that consumed a total of 33:41. New Orleans' second-ranked run defense held Atlanta to 52 yards rushing, and the Saints defense did not allow a touchdown for the second time in three games — with only one touchdown given up in between. The Falcons (3-7) struck first with a field goal set up by Ryan's 46-yard completion to Calvin Ridley and led 9-3 on three Younghoe Koo kicks before the Saints responded with 21 straight points. MAKING HISTORY Kamara became the first player in NFL history with at least 500 yards rushing and receiving in each of his first four seasons. Thomas recorded his 482nd career catch during the first half, giving him ownership of the record for most catches in an NFL player's first five seasons. He finished with 489. WEEK 12: Saints 31, Broncos 3, November 29, 2020 at Empower Field at Mile High- The Saints dominated the line of scrimmage in its 31-3 rout over Denver on Sunday. The Saints ran for 229 yards and scored four rushing touchdowns against a stout Broncos defensive unit that gave up just 56 rushing yards the week prior. "I was proud of how we ran the football," Saints Coach Sean Payton said. "I thought our guys up front, toward the end of the game, we won that battle pretty clearly." Running back Latavius Murray carried 19 times, tallying 124 yards and two scores. Taysom Hill added two scores on the ground, taking advantage of his trademark quarter-back power rush off the right side of the line. "Yeah, the quarterback power, any time the quarterback runs the ball, you really gain an extra blocker," Saints guard Nick Easton said Monday. "So if everybody executes their assignments, he's got a free run to the end zone. So, it's pretty hard for a defense, like somebody's got to defeat the block in order to make a tackle. So, you end up getting a few extra yards on those type of plays." Easton got the start in place of injured guard Andrus Peat. "As far as knowing I was going to start, I approach every week with the mentality that I'm going to be a big contribu-tor and play my hardest," Easton said. "Andrus, was deal-ing with a concussion and working through the protocol. So, it was a little blurry going through the week, but I al-ways prepare like I'm going to start." New Orleans was also without All-Pro T Terron Armstead, who was placed on the Covid-19/Reserve List Saturday. Defensively, the Saints (9-2) set a franchise record with just 112 yards allowed and forced three turnovers while winning their eighth straight game. "We're just playing with trust in our teammates and our guys next to us," DT Malcom Brown said. "I mean, we trust everybody to be where they're supposed to be. And we're just trying to roll like that and we just keep on working. Not looking too far ahead and not trying to hold anything from ourselves. But, we just want to keep on working, go through the process and stack them up every week." Brown and company were tasked with facing Kendall Hin-

ton, an undrafted rookie wide receiver activated from the Broncos' practice squad and inserted as their quarterback. The Broncos lost all four of their quarterbacks this week after backup Jeff Driskel tested positive for Covid-19 and starter Drew Lock and the other two quarterbacks on the roster were deemed close contacts and ruled ineligible. "We all kind of prepared for the offense as Drew Lock at quarterback and everything," Brown said. "But I mean, it's the NFL. Whatever they roll out, you have got to defend and that's kind of the mentality we took to it." Due to Denver's quarterback situation, the Broncos relied heavily on the "Wildcat" offense, only attempting nine pass-es, two of which were intercepted. "I like to play the run a lot," Brown said. "My fundamentals and technique are real important to me. So, we knew we'd play the run a lot all game. It's weird too though,. because usually you get rewarded with a pass on third down, where you can rush the passer. It was just one of those games where it was just, I don't know, it was kind of weird." New Orleans leads the NFL in total defense, allowing just 284.9 yards per game.

WEEK 13: Saints 21, Atlanta Falcons 16, December 6, 2020 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Taysom Hill finally threw a touchdown pass. Two of them, in fact. The New Orleans defense finally gave up a touchdown. But not two, which ensured the Saints are headed back to the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.

Hill won another start filling in for injured Drew Brees and New Orleans got the big defensive stop it needed in the closing minutes to preserve a 21-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

The Saints (10-2) clinched a playoff berth with their ninth straight victory and Chicago’s 34-30 loss to Detroit.

“our work’s not done yet,” defensive end Trey Hendrick-son said.

Hill connected with Tre’Quan Smith on a 15-yard touch-down in the opening quarter-the quarterback’s first scoring pass since his senior year at Brigham Young in 2016.

He added another before halftime, zipping an 11-yard pass to tight end Jared Cook in tight coverage.

“I don’t care as much as people might think (regarding lack of touchdown pass),” said Hill, who improved to 3-0 in filling in for Brees. “I know there was a lot of conversation about getting that first TD completion. But as long as we’re winning football games, I’m happy.”

Hill was 27 of 37 for 232 yards passing. He tackled on 83 yards rushing on 14 carries, including a 43-yard scamper that was the longest run of his career, setting up his first TD pass.

“I thought his performance was strong,” coach Sean Payton said. “He made a lot of throws.”


GAME SUMMARIES

15

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE-WEEK 13 If there was one flaw in Hill’s game, it was hanging on to the football. He had a couple of fumbles, the first coming deep in Atlanta territory to spark the Falcons’ comeback.

Atlanta drove 85 yards capped by Matt Ryan’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Russell Gage with 7:43 remaining. New Orleans hadn’t allowed a touchdown since the opening drive of a game against San Francisco on Nov. 15, a span of 14 quarters without one.

The Falcons 94-8) got the ball back and again pushed deep into New Orleans territory. On second-and-2 at the saints 13, Todd Gurley was stuffed for no gain by LB De-mario Davis. He got the ball again on third down for a sweep around the left end, but Davis caught him for a 7-yard loss.

Ryan threw into the end zone on fourth down, but the pass fell incomplete to finish off the home team’s best chance at pulling off an upset. Atlanta got a desperation heave on the final play of the game, but it was batted down by DB D.J. Swearinger.

The Saints never doubted their ability to prevent a sec-ond TD.

“We like us,” defensive end Cam Jordan said. “If we’re defending a touchdown, we love us.”

New Orleans extended the lead to 21-8 on Alvin Kama-ra’s 11-yard TD run in the third quarter and had a chance to wrap it up after Ryan fumbled on a play that was initially ruled an incompletion but changed to a fumble after Payton challenged the call.

Hill gave it right back. Under heavy pressure, he tried to throw the ball away but wound up fumbling, giving the Fal-cons renewed hope.

“It’s one of those things wehre I’m trying to make a play,” Hill said. “In hindsight, I wish I had just taken the sack and gotten a field goal. Those would’ve been big points for us.

Ryan was 19-of-39 for 273 yards. He was sacked three times—a far cry from the combined 17 times he went down in the last two games against the Saints.

Still, Ryan faced heavy pressure much of the game, get-ting hit eight times. The running game wasn’t much help, managing just 70 yards and 3.3 yards per carry. Gurley, coming back from a knee injury, was held to 16 yards on eight carries.

“They’re a good defense, that’s for sure,” Ryan said. “We needed to be in more third-and-shorts to give us better op-portunities.”

Younghoe Koo kicked three field goals for the Falcons,

extending his streak to 24 in a row since his lone miss of the season in Week 3.

New Orleans swept the season series with the Falcons, winning 24-9 two weeks ago at the Superdome in Hill’s first career start.

WINNING WITHOUT BREES

The Saints are now 8-0 over the last two seasons when Brees isn’t able to play. Last season, then won all five games that Teddy Bridgewater started.

“That’s the position everyone focuses on, but our team’s playing well,” Payton said. “We’re fortunate to have depth at a number of positions, and that includes quarterback.

SPEEDY MIKE

Wide receiver Michael Thomas became the fastest player in NFL history to record 500 career receptions, doing it in his 69th career game.

He surpassed the mark shared by Anquan Boldin and Julio Jones, who reached 500 catches in 80 games.

NFC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK WEEK 1: P THOMAS MORSTEAD Saints 34, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23 @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Sept. 13, 2020

Played in his 175th career game, moving into a tie with TE Hoby Brenner for eight on the club’s all-time games played list. Punted six times for 264 yards (44.0 avg.) with five punts downed inside the 20 and recorded one kickoff, which was muffed by Tampa Bay and recovered by WR Benny Fowler.

NFC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK WEEK 5: K WIL LUTZ Saints 30, Los Angeles Chargers 27 @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Oct. 12, 2020

Converted three-of-three field goal attempts, including a 53-yard kick in the third quarter and a 36-yard kick in over-time. Converted all three PAT attempts and had three touchbacks.

NFC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH NOVEMBER: DE CAMERON JORDAN

Jordan tied for the NFL lead with five sacks in the month of November, including three vs. Atlanta on November 22.


GAME SUMMARIES

HONORS

16

FAMILY TIES

Numerous Saints players, coaches and administrators are not the only members of their families to make a name for themselves in pro football. No fewer than 23 Saints play-ers, coaches or front office staff have relatives who have played, coached or served in the front office in the NFL.

Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen - Late father, Grady Allen, played linebacker for the Falcons from 1968-72.

Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael - Late father, Pete, served as an assistant coach from 1994-2003 with the Jacksonville Jaguars (1994-99), Cleveland Browns (2000) and Chicago Bears (2002-03).

Quarterbacks Coach Joe Lombardi - The grandson of legendary National Football League head coach Vince Lombardi, who led both Green Bay and Washington. He led the Packers to three straight and five overall NFL Championships in seven years, in addition to winning the first two Super Bowls.

Secondary Coach Aaron Glenn - Younger brother, Ja-son, was a linebacker and sixth-round draft pick of the De-troit Lions in the 2001 NFL Draft, playing six seasons with the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings.

Offensive Assistant D.J. Williams - Father, Doug Wil-liams, is the Washington Football Club’s Senior Vice Presi-dent/Player Development, who won Super Bowl XXII as starting quarterback for the Redskins, the pinnacle of a storied 12-year pro football career, which includes him be-ing in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor, also working in the Buccaneers front office.

Vice President/Asst. GM-College Personnel Jeff Ireland – Stepson of Chiefs Hall of Fame LB/C E.J. Holub. Grand-son of Eagles running back and Bears personnel exec. Jim Parmer.

National Scout Terry Wooden - Brother, JoJo, is Director of Player Personnel for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Linebacker Demario Davis - Cousin Steve McNair was a former standout quarterback for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (1995-2005) and Baltimore Ravens (2006-07).

Quarterback Taysom Hill - Brother-in-law, David Nixon played linebacker and on special teams for the Raiders (2009), Houston Texans (2010) and St. Louis Rams (2010-11).

Cornerback Janoris Jenkins - Cousin, Pernell McPhee

plays linebacker for the Ravens (2011-14, 2019-present) and also played for the Bears (2015-17) and Washington (2018).

Linebacker Kaden Elliss - Father, Luther Elliss was a for-mer first round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 1995 and played ten years in the NFL and was selected to two Pro Bowls.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan - Father, Steve, had a 13-year career at tight end for the Minnesota Vikings, with six Pro Bowl selections, being inducted into their Ring of Honor.

Tackle/Guard Andrus Peat - Father, Todd, played six NFL seasons with the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Raiders.

Wide Receiver Michael Thomas - Uncle, Keyshawn John-son, is a former wide receiver who was the first overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, spending 11 seasons in the National Football League with the Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers, earning three Pro Bowls and the Super Bowl XXXVII title.

Defensive Tackle Shy Tuttle - Uncle, Perry Tuttle played wide receiver on Clemson’s national championship team in 1981, who was a first round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1982 and then played three National Football League seasons with the Bills, Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Area Scout Scott Campbell - Late father, Marion Camp-bell, played for the 49ers (1954-55) and 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 first-team All-Pro in 1960, was a longtime defensive assistant with the Patri-ots (1962-63), Vikings (1964-66), Rams (1967-68), Eagles (1977-82) and Atlanta Falcons (1969-74) and was former head coach of the Eagles (1983-85) and Falcons (1987-89).

Area Scout Joey Vitt - Father, Joe Vitt, is a longtime Na-tional Football League assistant coach, who served as as-sistant head coach/linebackers of the Saints from 2006-16, is currently assistant head coach/inside linebackers of the Jets and also had coaching stints with the Seattle Sea-hawks, Colts, Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs.

Combine Scout Matt Phillips - Father, Ted is the presi-dent/CEO of the Chicago Bears.


TEAM NOTES

17

COACHES IN THE NFL

Six members of the 2020 Saints coaching staff have prior playing experience in the National Football League.

Head Coach Sean Payton - Played for the Bears in 1987.

Asst. Head Coach/Tight Ends Dan Campbell - A third round draft pick of the New York Giants in 1999 out of Tex-as A&M, who appeared in 114 games with 75 starts for the Giants, Cowboys and Lions, where he caught 91 passes for 934 yards and 11 touchdowns during his playing career.

Wide Receivers Coach Ronald Curry - A seventh round 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 193 receptions for 2,347 yards with 13 touchdowns.

Secondary Coach Aaron Glenn - The 12th overall pick of the Jets in the 1994 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M and started 176 of 205 games with New York, the Texans, Dal-las Cowboys, Jaguars and Saints and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. Glenn recorded 41 interceptions with six brought back for touchdowns, adding a kick return score.

Defensive Assistant Michael Wilhoite - Played six seasons (2012-17) in the NFL, six with the 49ers and his final cam-paign with the Seahawks. Played in 79 career games with 45 starts and posted totals of 316 tackles, four intercep-tions, nine passes defensed, two forced fumbles, one fum-ble recovery and 40 special teams stops.

Pass Rush Specialist Brian Young - Played in the NFL from 2000-08 with the St. Louis Rams his first four sea-sons, who originally selected him in the fifth round of the 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.

2020 PRACTICE SQUAD

The following players make up the Saints practice squad with the NFL expanding it up to 16 players in 2020:

Player Pos. School Exp.

Austin Carr WR Northwestern 4

Ryan Glasgow DT Michigan 4

Grant Haley DB Penn State 3

Andrew Dowell LB Michigan State 1

Will Clapp G/C LSU 3

Juwan Johnson WR Oregon R

Tony Jones Jr. RB Notre Dame R

Christian Ringo DE Louisiana-Lafayette 4

Calvin Throckmorton OL Oregon R

Cameron Tom OL Southern Mississippi R

Keith Washington II DB West Virginia R

Tommylee Lewis WR Northern Illinois 4

Ethan Wolf TE Tennessee 1

Anthony Zettel DT Penn State 6

MY HOMETOWN

Saints players come from 22 different states, Washington D.C. and Nigeria. Of the players currently on the team’s active roster, Texas claims the most members with eight (DT Malcom Brown, DE Marcus Davenport, C/G Erik McCoy, RB Ty Montgomery, P Thomas Morstead, LB Craig Robertson, WR Emmanuel Sanders and LS Zach Wood).

WINNING STREAKS

Under Sean Payton, the Saints have put together seven winning streaks of at least six games now up to nine follow-ing Sunday’s 21-16 win at Atlanta. The Saints are the sixth team in NFL history to have a six-game win streak in four straight seasons joining the 1929-32 Green Bay Packers, 1970-73 Miami Dolphins, 1989-95 49ers, 2004-09 Indian-apolis Colts and 2014-19 New England Patriots. Below is a list of the franchise’s winning streaks of at least six games since Payton was hired as head coach in 2006:

Sept. 13-Dec. 13, 2009—13 games

Oct. 31-Dec. 12, 2010—6 games

Nov. 6, 2011-Jan 1, 2012—8 games

Sept. 24-Nov. 19, 2017—8 games

Sept. 16-Nov. 22, 2018—10 games

Sept. 22, 2019-Oct. 27, 2019—6 games

Oct. 4, 2020-Present—9 games

LONGEST WINNING STREAKS IN NEW ORLEANS SAINTS HISTORY

13 9/13-12/13/09

10 9/16-12/23/18

9 11/1-12/27/87

12/23/90-10/20/91

10/4/20-Present


TEAM NOTES

18

DOUBLE DIGIT WINS

After defeating Atlanta on Sunday and improving to 10-2, New Orleans has won at least ten games for the ninth time under Payton after posting double-digit win totals only five times from 1967-2005. On Sunday at Philadelphia, the Saints will be looking to record, the franchise’s 11th season of at least 11 wins, eight under Payton.

ROSTER FACTS AND FIGURES

Oldest Saints player: WR Emmanuel Sanders, 35, 3/17/85

Youngest Saint: Center/Guard Cesar Ruiz, 21, 6/14/99

Most Seasons as a Saint: P Thomas Morstead - 12

Most NFL seasons: Three players with 12

Most consecutive starts: Defensive end Cameron Jor-dan, 141

Consecutive games played: Defensive end Cameron Jordan, 156

Most playoff experience: P Thomas Morstead, 13 games

Heaviest Saint: OL Ethan Greenidge, 335

Tallest Saint: G/T, Andrus Peat, 6-7

Shortest Saint: WR/RS Deonte Harris, 5-6

Former first round draft picks:11-Defensive tackle Mal-com Brown, defensive end Marcus Davenport, safety Mal-colm Jenkins, Jordan, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, tack-le/guard Andrus Peat, tackle Ryan Ramczyk, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, cornerback Patrick Robinson, Ruiz and quarterback Jameis Winston.

Pro Bowlers:13-Tight end Jared Cook, Harris, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, Malcolm Jenkins, Jordan, running back Alvin Kamara, Lattimore, kicker Wil Lutz, punter Thomas Morstead, Peat, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, wide receiver Michael Thomas and Winston.

Coaches who played in the NFL: 6 - Head Coach Sean Payton, Asst. Head Coach/Tight Ends Dan Campbell, Wide Receivers Coach Ronald Curry, Secondary Coach Aaron Glenn, Defensive Asst. Michael Wilhoite, Pass Rush Spe-cialist Brian Young

College with the most Saints: Florida State - 3 (Robinson, cornerback P.J. Williams and Winston), Ohio State-3 (Malcolm Jenkins, Lattimore and Thomas) South-ern Methodist - 3 (Morstead, Sanders and long snapper Zach Wood).

IN THE NFC SOUTH

The Saints have the best record among NFC South teams since 2006, a time where they’ve won six division titles in-cluding three straight from 2017-19, the most in division history. They’ve posted a 56-33 division mark since 2006 after Sunday’s win over Atlanta. On Jan. 3, 2021 at Caroli-na, the Saints will seek to become the first team since the NFC South debuted in 2002 to finish the season 6-0 in the division. With a win on Sunday at Philadelphia, New Orle-ans will be looking to join the 2004-07 Seattle Seahawks and 2011-14 Green Bay Packers to become only the third NFC team since divisional realignment in 2002 to win four consecutive division titles.

REGULAR SEASON RECORDS OF NFC SOUTH TEAMS SINCE 2006

Team W L T Pct.

New Orleans Saints 148 88 0 .627

Atlanta Falcons 123 113 0 .521

Carolina Panthers 118 117 1 .502

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 91 145 0 .386

TURNOVER RATIO LEADER

In 2020, the Saints are tied for fourth in the NFL in takea-way/giveaway ratio at +7. This week’s opponent, Philadel-phia’s ranked 30th at –11.

2020 NFL TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL LEADERS

Takeaways Giveaways

Team Ints Fum Total Ints Fum Total Diff

1. Pit.* 16 7 23 6 5 11 +12

2. KC 14 5 19 2 6 8 +11

3. Ten. 11 6 17 5 3 8 +9

4t. NO 13 6 19 4 8 12 +7

4t. Cle. 10 10 20 7 6 13 +7

4t. Mia. 13 8 19 8 6 14 +7

4t. Ind. 13 6 19 9 3 12 +7

8. Atl. 8 9 17 8 4 12 +5

9t. Car. 5 12 17 10 3 13 +4

9t. TB 14 6 20 11 5 16 +4

9t. GB 8 5 13 4 5 9 +4

* Not including Monday night result


TEAM NOTES

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TAKING CARE OF THE BALL

Ball security was of utmost importance for the 2019 Saints, as their eight giveaways were the fewest in NFL history. The 2019 Saints lost only two fumbles and tied an NFL record with the 2002 Chiefs and 2014 Vikings for the few-est lost fumbles.

FEWEST TURNOVERS IN THE NFL IN 2019

Team Giveaways

1. New Orleans 8

2. Green Bay 13

3t. New England 15

3t. Baltimore 15

3t. Kansas City 15

FEWEST TURNOVERS IN A SINGLE SEASON

Team Giveaways

1. New Orleans, 2019 8

2. New England, 2010 10

3. San Francisco, 2011 11

New Orleans’ 12 turnovers in 2020 are tied for the fifth-lowest total in the NFL.

FEWEST TURNOVERS IN THE NFL IN 2020

Team Giveaways

1t. Tennessee 8

1t. Kansas City 8

3. Green Bay 9

4 Pittsburgh* 11

5t. New Orleans 12

5t. Indianapolis 12

5t. Atlanta 12

5t. Houston 12

* Not including Monday night result

ROAD WARRIORS

Since 2006, the Saints have the best road record in the NFC, second-best in the NFL at 69-49 (.585) Following Sunday’s win at Atlanta, they are 5-1 away from the Mer-

cedes-Benz Superdome in 2020, posting winning road rec-ords for three consecutive seasons for the first time since 2009-11, with back-to-back road records of 7-1 in 2018 and 2019 for the first time in franchise history. New Orleans is in the midst of a three-game road trip where following wins at Denver and Atlanta, they travel to Philadelphia on Sunday, as they seek to become the first Saints team to sweek a three-game road trip since the 1987 club and only the second in franchise record books.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE REGULAR SEASON ROAD RECORDS SINCE 2006

Team Record

1. New England 81-38

2. New Orleans 69-49

3. Pittsburgh 66-50-1

4. Dallas* 64-53

5. Philadelphia 61-57

* Not including Tuesday night result

Since 2009, with a 57-37 (.606) road mark, the Saints have the best record in the NFC and second-best in the NFL

NFL REGULAR SEASON ROAD RECORDS SINCE 2009

Team Record



3. Pittsburgh 52-37-1

4. Dallas* 49-43


DOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE

Since 2008, the Saints have posted a 74-28 home record, fifth in the NFL, including 6-2 in 2018 and 2019 and 5-1 in 2020. They have had four consecutive winning seasons for the second time joining the 2008-11 teams.

NFL REGULAR SEASON HOME RECORDS SINCE 2008

Team Record


2. Green Bay 77-23-2

3. Baltimore* 74-27

4. Pittsburgh 75-28




TEAM NOTES

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PAYTON’S PLACE AMONG HEAD COACHES

Sean Payton has had an impressive run as head coach of the Saints since being hired in 2006. After the team had captured only two division titles prior to 2006, the club has six under Payton, including three straight NFC South titles from

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