As we move deeper into the second half of the 2024 NFL season, the playoff picture becomes clearer. The New Orleans Saints are trying to turn their season around after a seven-game losing streak. However, they remain a long shot to make the playoffs.
What do their chances look like after losing to the Rams in Week 13?
Can the Saints Make the Playoffs?
Heading into Week 14, the New Orleans Saints are 4-8 and now have a 3.5% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 0.0% chance for the first seed, a <0.1% chance for the second seed, a 0.3% chance for the third seed, a 2.8% chance for the fourth seed, a <0.1% chance for the fifth seed, a <0.1% chance for the sixth seed, and a 0.4% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Saints Win the NFC South?
Here’s what the NFC South race looks like heading into Week 14:
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a 58.8% chance to win the NFC South.
- The Atlanta Falcons have a 37.9% chance to win the NFC South.
- The New Orleans Saints have a 3.1% chance to win the NFC South.
- The Carolina Panthers have a 0.2% chance to win the NFC South.
Current NFC South Standings
- Atlanta Falcons (6-6)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)
- New Orleans Saints (4-8)
- Carolina Panthers (3-9)
NFC Playoff Race | Week 16
1. Detroit Lions (13-2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3)
3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)
4. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
5. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
6. Green Bay Packers (11-4)
7. Washington Commanders (10-5)
In The Hunt
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
9. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
Eliminated From Playoffs
10. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)
11. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)
12. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)
13. New Orleans Saints (5-10)
14. Chicago Bears (4-11)
15. Carolina Panthers (4-11)
16. New York Giants (2-13)
Saints’ Super Bowl Chances After Week 13
Can the Saints win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that New Orleans has a <0.1% chance to win it all.
Saints’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 14: at New York Giants
- Week 15: vs. Washington Commanders
- Week 16: at Green Bay Packers
- Week 17: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
- Week 18: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What PFN Predicted for the Rams vs. Saints Matchup
What a whirlwind of a season it has been for the Saints. They started the season on fire, winning their first two games in blowout fashion. Then, they lost seven consecutive games, the last of which was a brutal road loss to the Carolina Panthers. That led to the dismissal of Dennis Allen as head coach. Since then, interim head coach Darren Rizzi has led them to two straight victories, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.
The Saints have dealt with a medley of injuries this year. Most notably, star WR Chris Olave is on IR due to a concussion. They’ve also been without WR2 Rashid Shaheed for several weeks now due to a season-ending knee injury. Derek Carr is being asked to do a lot with basically just Alvin Kamara. Well…there’s also that Taysom Hill guy.
Before the bye, Hill had the best game of his career, rushing for 138 yards and three touchdowns, while also catching eight passes for 50 yards. Saquon Barkley just amassed over 300 yards from scrimmage against the Rams. Given the state of the Saints’ passing attack, this looks like a game where they will lean heavily on Kamara and Hill.
Sean McVay’s plan of attack for his Rams will likely be the opposite. The Saints have one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL, allowing the third-most passing yards per game. With Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp looking like the best version of themselves, we should see a pass-heavy approach from the Rams. A total of 66% of the passing yards allowed by the Saints have gone to wide receivers. Nacua and Kupp could both go over 100 yards in this one.
The Rams enter the game with only one more win than the Saints. Yet, this game feels more important for them, as they are simultaneously one game behind the Seahawks for the division lead and tied with the 49ers for last place.
New Orleans is two games back but will likely need to win out to make the playoffs. The Saints enter this game as 2.5-point home underdogs. It has a total of 49.
PFN Prediction: Rams 27, Saints 24