Saints' win projection jumps significantly, signaling a potential turnaround. Oddsmakers are taking notice of their late-season surge and promising quarterback play.
The New Orleans Saints had a strong finish to the 2025 season. Oddsmakers are taking notice.
The Saints finished the season 6-11 last season but ended the year winning four of five games. Naturally one would expect improvement from the team next year given the trajectory they had to end the season. One sportsbook, however, placed the Saints' win total at 7.5 wins.
Garland Gillen of New Orleans' Fox 8 News discussed where the team tiers in the NFC win total playoff picture for next season.
"The New Orleans Saints over/under win total started at 7.5 games. Last season, the Black and Gold finished 6-11, missing the playoffs. Their win total was 4.5 games in 2025.
Tyler Shough went 5-4 as the starting quarterback. Spencer Rattler opened the season as QB1, before the rookie took over the starting gig.
In the NFC South: Buccaneers win total is 8.5, Falcons and Panthers is 6.5.
A ton of teams are tied with the highest win total at 10.5 games: Seahawks, Ravens, Bills, Lions, Packers, Chiefs, Chargers, Rams, Eagles, and 49ers.
On the other end of the spectrum, the lowest win total is 4.5 games held by the Cardinals and Dolphins."
New Orleans Saints scout Josh Hill (left) talks with Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq (TE23) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesThe odds for the Saints, as Gillen mentions, improve from 4.5 to 7.5 this preseason. And while that may not seem significant, oddsmakers can be cautious about the numbers they project.
The Rams and 49ers easily cleared 10.5 wins in 2025 but are projected to be around that number when they next take the field. In other words, an expected 1.5-game improvement is perhaps more significant than some might believe. It speaks to what people are beginning to believe about the New Orleans Saints with their new quarterback Tyler Shough.
Ahead for the Saints is a difficult decision as to whether or not they should draft Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love or a star wide receiver like Arizona State's Jordan Tyson or USC wideout Makai Lemon.
Whatever more they make will have to take into consideration which type of playmaker improves the offense: Finding an Alvin Kamara replacement at running back or adding a receiver to compliment Chris Olave's skill set.
Regardless of which move they make, the Saints are already viewed as a team expected to rise in 2026. New Orleans' six-win season last year topped its 4.5-win expectation for 2025. The team will look to outperform their win total to a similar degree next season.