How the Saints Football Schedule Is Determined
The New Orleans Saints football schedule follows an NFL structure shaped by the league office, conference alignment, and last-season results. Each team plays 17 games, with the Saints hosting some opponents and traveling to others. Division games form a core portion of the slate, along with conference matchups and one interconference opponent. Exact dates, times, and opponents are released in spring and may shift slightly due to network needs and national scheduling rules. Understanding this framework helps fans anticipate which games carry heightened rivalry weight and which present easier wins.
Key Timing and Release Windows
While precise matchups for the 2017 season are fixed in history, the general release rhythm for Saints schedules has remained stable. The NFL Draft in April, the owners’ meetings, and league meetings in late March and early April signal the start of schedule planning. The full regular-season slate typically appears on the league calendar in the spring, with exact kickoff times and network details following shortly after. Training camp begins in late July, and preseason games provide a final look at how the year will unfold before the first regular-season kickoff.
Historical 2017 Schedule Snapshot
For reference, the 2017 season gave the Saints a specific slate that shaped that year’s narrative. The table below captures opponents, home and away designations, and broad timing for that season, illustrating how the league’s formula played out in practice.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 10 | Oakland Raiders | Home |
| 2 | Sep 17 | at Atlanta Falcons | Away |
| 3 | Sep 24 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Home |
| 4 | Oct 1 | at Carolina Panthers | Away |
| 5 |
Divisional and Conference Matchup Logic
The Saints play each team in the NFC South twice per season, one at home and one on the road. These four divisional opponents provide the most consistent storyline across years, as standings and playoff implications often hinge on these matchups. Within the NFC, the Saints also face the three other teams in their division from the previous season’s standings, plus one rotating opponent from another NFC division that repeats on a four-year cycle. This structure ensures familiar rivalries while still offering fresh challenges.
Interconference and Neutral-Game Elements
Each season includes exactly one interconference opponent, chosen so that every team plays 12 games within conference and 5 outside of it. The Saints also host one of their two games against each team from an AFC division on a rotating basis, which can occasionally bring marquee names to New Orleans. Finally, one game is typically designated as a late-season strategic flex game, allowing the league to adjust for competitive balance and highlight compelling late-match storylines.
Where Preseason and International Games Fit
Preseason matchups are announced alongside the regular-season slate and give younger players a chance to compete while letting coaches evaluate depth. International games, such as contests in London or Mexico City, sometimes feature the Saints and are decided by league scheduling parameters. Because these special games do not follow the standard divisional or conference formula, they can appear in any week that the league designates for neutral-site contests.
How Fans Can Stay Updated Year After Year
For evergreen guidance, the Saints schedule can be tracked through official team channels, the league calendar, and reputable sports media. Check the franchise website for training-camp dates, kickoff times, and broadcast details as they are confirmed. Rosters change, but the underlying scheduling framework remains familiar, making it easy to follow the rhythm of the season once you understand the basics. Fans who know the system can better appreciate each year’s unique twists within the familiar pattern.
Notable Factors That Can Shift Timing and Matchups
Although the core formula is reliable, a few factors can nudge details. Makeup games from weather delays or other disruptions may alter the sequence late in the year. In rare cases, flex scheduling allows prime-time moves within the conference, shifting a matchup from a regional audience to a national spotlight. These adjustments preserve competitive integrity while optimizing viewer experience, but the majority of the schedule remains locked well before training camp begins.
Understanding this structure transforms a list of dates into a meaningful narrative. By recognizing how division games, conference opponents, and special events fit into the broader framework, you can follow the Saints with greater context and anticipate what each season may bring.