The New Orleans Saints are ranked No. 4 in ESPN's Football Power Index ahead of the 2020 NFL season. With no preseason games this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, Week 1 is the first time we'll see new acquisitions and rookies for every team. Week 1 will also give us the first NFL games since Super Bowl LIV in February.
Here's everything you need to know about the Saints heading into the season, from the big question to answer and the toughest stretch on their schedule to a bold prediction and potential breakout fantasy football stars.
Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart
The big question: Can the Saints finally thrive in January?
Obviously they haven't clinched a playoff berth just yet. But let's face it -- that hasn't been their problem over the past three years. This might be the NFL's most loaded roster from top to bottom, and New Orleans has won more regular-season games than any team in the league since 2017, going a combined 37-11, before falling flat in the playoffs. The solution starts with making sure 41-year-old QB Drew Brees has enough left in the tank to peak at the right time. Adding WR Emmanuel Sanders should help quite a bit after they ran out of reliable options behind Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara down the stretch the past two years. -- Mike Triplett
How the pandemic has most affected the Saints
Ideally this abbreviated offseason could turn into an advantage for the Saints because they have as much continuity on their roster and coaching staff as any team in the NFL. While division rivals like the Buccaneers are breaking in a new QB named Tom Brady and the Panthers are breaking in a new everything, the Saints have a loaded team that should be able to pick up where it left off after back-to-back 13-3 seasons. Sean Payton has also pointed to the Saints' ability to adjust over the years, including a 13-3 season after the 2011 lockout. -- Triplett
Football Power Index projections for the Saints
Overall ranking: 4
Offensive ranking: 2
Defensive ranking: 14
Special teams ranking: 9
Total wins: 10.2
NFC South title chances: 58.2%
Chances to make playoffs: 82.4%
Super Bowl chances: 12.9%
2021 draft pick: No. 30
Inside the Saints' schedule
FPI's strength of schedule rank: 14
Toughest stretch: Weeks 12-16 will be intense for the Saints, starting with three straight road games at Denver, Atlanta and Philly. Then they'll hardly get a chance to catch their breath when they return home -- where they'll host the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs in Week 15, followed by a Christmas Day date with their nemesis Vikings just five days later.
Over or under 10.2 wins? Over. The Saints are getting plenty of respect in these projections, with the NFC's highest win total (one decimal spot ahead of the 49ers). But a 10-6 season would be a huge disappointment for a team that's in "Super Bowl or bust" mode. It's hard to find a weak spot on New Orleans' roster, which includes 13 players who were either named first-team All-Pro or were selected to the Pro Bowl last year. -- Triplett
Bold prediction for 2020: The Saints will have the NFL's best cornerback duo
We didn't talk enough this offseason about how big of an impact veteran CB Janoris Jenkins could have as a "newcomer" in New Orleans since he actually arrived as a waiver claim last December. But so far in camp, he and two-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore have had a commanding presence. And that's vital, considering the Saints have to face dynamic NFC South duos like Mike Evans/Chris Godwin and Julio Jones/Calvin Ridley. If Lattimore lives up to his potential this year, then next summer's bold prediction will be him becoming the NFL's highest-paid corner. -- Triplett
Breakout fantasy star: Tre'Quan Smith, WR
Smith has yet to emerge since being drafted into one of the league's best offenses in the third round of the 2018 draft, but it's too early to throw in the towel as the 6-foot-2 target enters a key third professional season. Smith is averaging a very healthy 9.9 yards per target and has scored 10 touchdowns, but he's been thrown at only 67 times in 26 games. Though he doesn't have a clear path to early-season targets, Smith is a name to monitor in deeper leagues. -- Mike Clay
ADP for the top players:
Alvin Kamara: 6.2
Michael Thomas: 6.4
Drew Brees: 85.4
Jared Cook : 96.5
Wil Lutz: 114.8
The view from Vegas
Super Bowl odds: 13-1 (opened 14-1)
Over/under: 10.5
Playoff odds: Yes -330, No +270
The Saints are 14-1 to win the Super Bowl, the sixth-shortest price in the league. This should not come as a surprise as they have had 15-1 or shorter odds to win before the season in each of the past four seasons. The Saints were 11-5 vs. the number last season, the only team in the league to cover 11 times. They've won at least 11 games each of the past three seasons, hitting the over in all three. -- ESPN Chalk staff
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill as of Sept. 1.
Where the Saints landed in NFL Rank
No. 5: Michael Thomas
No. 14: Drew Brees
No. 30: Cameron Jordan
No. 50: Alvin Kamara
No. 54: Marshon Lattimore
No. 66: Ryan Ramczyk
No. 87: Demario Davis