Long-time head coach Sean Payton announced his retirement shortly after the Saints 2021 season ended on January 25, 2022.[1] In his 16 years as head coach, Payton led the Saints to seven NFC South titles, nine playoff appearances, and to the franchise's first and only Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XLIV. Prior to his departure, Payton was also the second-longest active tenured head coach in the NFL, only behind Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots.[2][3] On February 8, 2022, Allen was announced as the next head coach.
The Saints failed to improve from their 9–8 season from last year after a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, and after another loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the next week, the Saints clinched their first losing season since 2016. Although the Saints beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17, they were eliminated from playoff contention for the second consecutive season after wins by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers the same week.[4] It was the first time the Saints missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons since missing the playoffs between 2014-2016. It was also the team's first season since 2005 with double digit losses.
^ abcdThe Saints traded first-, third- and fourth-round selections (16th, 98th and 120th overall) to the Washington Commanders in exchange for a first-round selection (11th overall).
^ abcdefThe Saints traded first-, third- and seventh-round selections (18th, 101st and 237th overall), a 2023 first-round selection and a 2024 second-round selection to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for two first- and one sixth-round selection (16th, 19th and 194th overall).
^The Saints traded a third-round selection (80th overall) and a 2023 conditional sixth-round selection to the Houston Texans in exchange for CB Bradley Roby.[5]
^The Saints received a Resolution JC-2A selection in the third round as part of the compensation for pro scouting director Terry Fontenot being hired as the Atlanta Falcons' general manager.[6]
^The Saints forfeited their sixth-round selection as a penalty for repeated violations of the league's COVID-19 guidelines.[7]
Although the Saints trailed by 16 points early in the fourth quarter, Jameis Winston led the team to 17 unanswered points, culminating in a 51-yard game-winning field goal from Wil Lutz. The Falcons had the chance to retake the lead in the last second, but Payton Turner blocked their field goal attempt to seal the win and start off the Saints' season at 1–0.
In the fourth quarter, Marshon Lattimore and Mike Evans got into a fight at midfield, resulting in both players being ejected. The Saints lost to Tampa Bay for the first time since the 2018 season, it is also the first time since the 2017 season that they lost to a side quarterbacked by Tom Brady.
Hoping to grab a second win, the Saints flew to London to host the Minnesota Vikings. This was the first time the Saints had played in the United Kingdom since the 2017 season and their first International Series game as the home team since 2008. After trailing for most of the game, the Saints took the lead in the fourth quarter through a Taysom Hill touchdown run. Justin Jefferson put the Vikings back in front five minutes later, only for Greg Joseph to miss the extra point, allowing Wil Lutz to tie the game with a career-long 60-yard field goal. Joseph put the Vikings back in front again with a 47-yard kick after a long reception by Jefferson with less than 30 seconds to play, only for a Chris Olave catch to put the Saints in range of another game-tying field goal from 61 yards; however, Lutz's kick bounced back off the left upright and the crossbar to give the Vikings a 28–25 win. It was the Saints' first loss to the Vikings since 2017, giving them their worst start to a season since 2016.
After their close loss to the Vikings, the Saints flew back home to the Superdome for their Week 5 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Andy Dalton started his second game at quarterback, but it was utility player Taysom Hill that stole the show in the Superdome that afternoon, who helped guide New Orleans to victory over the fiesty Seahawks 39–32 thanks to a phenomenal 3-touchdown performance from him, the last of which being a 60-yard run that put the Saints ahead for good. With the thrilling win, the Saints improved to 2–3.
Andy Dalton would start his third straight game, this time facing off against his former team. Though the Saints found themselves holding a two-score lead twice during the game, the Bengals pulled out a late fourth quarter comeback victory on a 60-yard touchdown pass from Joe Burrow to Ja'Marr Chase. On a botched 4th down conversion play, Eli Apple made a hit on Marquez Callaway which was controversially not flagged. The Saints were defeated 26–30, and fell to 2–4 on the year.
Andy Dalton started for the fourth straight game for the Saints on Thursday Night Football against the Cardinals. Although he would pass for four touchdowns, he threw three costly interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns in a span of about a minute near the end of the first half. The Cardinals found themselves up 28–14 because of these key defensive plays despite trailing New Orleans 14–6 at the start of the second quarter. The Cardinals would continue their dominance throughout the third quarter, holding the Saints to a field goal while scoring a touchdown of their own to go up 35–17, their largest lead of the night. In the fourth quarter, despite a late Saints rally in which they outscored Arizona 17–7 to cut the lead to just 8, the Cardinals held on for a thrilling 42–34 victory. The loss marked the first time since the 2015 season that the Saints were beaten by the Cardinals.
Andy Dalton started his fifth straight game of the season with Jameis Winston still out with an injury. Against the Raiders, the Saints thoroughly dominated them in front of a raucous capacity crowd of Saints fans in the Superdome, shutting them out 24–0. Dalton recorded a pair of passing touchdowns, both of which went to Alvin Kamara, who also logged a rushing touchdown to cap off a brilliant day for the star running back. The Saints defense smothered a Raiders offense that had put up a season-high 38 points the previous week, only allowing them to cross midfield once late in the game.
With the dominant win, the Saints improved to 3–5. They also defeated the Raiders for the first time since the 2012 season.
Following their win against the Raiders, the Saints stayed home to face off against the Baltimore Ravens in a Week 9 contest on Monday Night Football. For the sixth straight game, Andy Dalton was named the starting quarterback for the team. The Saints found themselves in a big 14–0 deficit early on in the first half, courtesy of a Lamar Jackson passing touchdown and a Kenyan Drake rushing touchdown. The Saints would get their first points off the night off a Wil Lutz field goal to cut the deficit to 11 as time expired in the first half. In the third quarter, Justin Tucker would kick his first field goal of the night to make the score 17–3, but the Saints answered right back with a second Lutz field goal to make the score 17–6. In the fourth quarter however, the Ravens would put the game away as Tucker nailed his second field goal of the game, followed by another Kenyan Drake touchdown to make it a 21-point deficit for the Saints. A late touchdown pass from Dalton to Juwan Johnson made the final score 27–13, Ravens.
After a tough loss to the Baltimore Ravens, they travel to Acrisure Stadium to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the loss, the Saints drop to 3–7 on the year and it was the first time since 2006 that they were defeated by the Steelers.
They return to the Superdome to take on the Los Angeles Rams. It has been four years since New Orleans played them at home, including the aforementioned NFC Championship. With the win over the Rams, the Saints improve to 4–7 on the year. It was the first time since the 2018 season in which New Orleans defeated the Los Angeles Rams.
They meet with the San Francisco 49ers on the road. After Kamara fumbled twice, the Saints struggled to hold off Jimmy Garoppolo and his offense. They didn't even score points, thus snapping their streak without being shut out. The Saints were shut out for the first time since week 17 of the 2001 season, which was also against San Francisco. This loss brought the Saints record down to 4–8.
The Saints traveled to Tampa for their second matchup against their division rival, the Buccaneers. They were unable to hold on as they were swept by the Buccaneers for the first time since the 2007 season. With the loss, the Saints fell to 4–9, securing the franchise its first losing season since 2016.
The Saints host the Falcons in the Superdome. In Week 1, they defeated them with a 51-yard field goal and a kick block. With the victory, not only did the Saints sweep Atlanta, but they also improve to their 5–9 record.
The Saints travel to FirstEnergy Stadium to take on the Cleveland Browns in a cold weather game. They trailed in the first half but came back in the second half. With the 17–10 victory, they improve to 6–9.
The Saints meet the Eagles for the third straight season. After losing to them in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons, they improved their performance with Andy Dalton and Taysom Hill. In the first half, the Saints scored a touchdown and three field goals to give them the lead. The Eagles looked like they were making a comeback scoring ten points in the third with the help of their defense, and although they gave up only one touchdown, Minshew threw a pick six to Marshon Lattimore, effectively ending the game.[10] For the first time since the 2018 season, the Saints beat the Eagles. It was an easy win for the Saints as Jalen Hurts was sidelined due to his shoulder injury. They improve to 7–9, but only to be eliminated from postseason contention.
After a win over the Philadelphia Eagles, the Saints return home for their last regular season game against the Panthers. In Saints' territory, Marcus Davenport and D'Onta Foreman both got into a fight, resulting in ejections. After Eddy Pineiro nailed a 42-yard field goal, the Saints get swept by the Panthers for the first time since the 2015 season, finishing their season with a 7-10 record, earning them the worst season since 2005.
^ abSan Francisco finished ahead of Minnesota based on conference record (10–2 vs. 8–4).
^ abSeattle finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory, claiming the 7th and final playoff spot.
^ abcCarolina finished ahead of New Orleans and Atlanta based on head-to-head record (3–1 vs. 2–2/1–3).
^ abNew Orleans finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head sweep.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
