| Team: | New Orleans Saints |
| Year: | 2016 |
| Record: | 7–9 |
| Division Place: | 3rd NFC South |
| Coach: | Sean Payton |
| Owner: | Tom Benson |
| General Manager: | Mickey Loomis |
| Off Coach: | Pete Carmichael Jr. |
| Def Coach: | Dennis Allen |
| Stadium: | Mercedes-Benz Superdome |
| Playoffs: | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers: | Drew Brees (QB) |
| Shortnavlink: | Saints seasons |
The 2016 season was the New Orleans Saints' 50th in the National Football League (NFL), their 41st playing home games at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and their 10th under head coach Sean Payton. The Saints matched their 7–9 record from 2014 and 2015, and missed the playoffs for the third year in a row. One highlight from the season includes quarterback Drew Brees' first return to San Diego for the first time since the Chargers released him at the end of the 2005 season, also where Brees played his first five seasons in. This came 10 years after the Chargers released Brees after the Saints' previous regular season meetings with the Chargers were home games for the Saints, and including a 2008 meeting at Wembley Stadium in London, a game which New Orleans was designated as the home team.
See main article: 2016 NFL draft.
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Louisville | ||||
| 2 | 47 | Ohio St. | |||
| 2 | 61 | Ohio St. | |||
| 4 | 120 | Manitoba | |||
| 7 | 237 | California |
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 11 | at New England Patriots | L 22–34 | 0–1 | Gillette Stadium | Recap | |
| 2 | August 20 | at Houston Texans | L 9–16 | 0–2 | NRG Stadium | Recap | |
| 3 | August 26 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 14–27 | 0–3 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap | |
| 4 | September 1 | Baltimore Ravens | L 14–23 | 0–4 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 11 | Oakland Raiders | L 34–35 | 0–1 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap | |
| 2 | September 18 | at New York Giants | L 13–16 | 0–2 | MetLife Stadium | Recap | |
| 3 | Atlanta Falcons | L 32–45 | 0–3 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap | ||
| 4 | October 2 | at San Diego Chargers | W 35–34 | 1–3 | Qualcomm Stadium | Recap | |
| 5 | Bye | ||||||
| 6 | October 16 | Carolina Panthers | W 41–38 | 2–3 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap | |
| 7 | October 23 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 21–27 | 2–4 | Arrowhead Stadium | Recap | |
| 8 | October 30 | Seattle Seahawks | W 25–20 | 3–4 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap | |
| 9 | November 6 | at San Francisco 49ers | W 41–23 | 4–4 | Levi's Stadium | Recap | |
| 10 | November 13 | Denver Broncos | L 23–25 | 4–5 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap | |
| 11 | at Carolina Panthers | L 20–23 | 4–6 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap | ||
| 12 | November 27 | Los Angeles Rams | W 49–21 | 5–6 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap | |
| 13 | December 4 | Detroit Lions | L 13–28 | 5–7 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap | |
| 14 | December 11 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 11–16 | 5–8 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap | |
| 15 | December 18 | at Arizona Cardinals | W 48–41 | 6–8 | University of Phoenix Stadium | Recap | |
| 16 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 31–24 | 7–8 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap | ||
| 17 | January 1 | at Atlanta Falcons | L 32–38 | 7–9 | Georgia Dome | Recap | |
The Saints opened the season at home against the Oakland Raiders in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Despite 423 passing yards—including a franchise-record 98-yard touchdown pass to receiver Brandin Cooks[1] —and four touchdowns from Drew Brees, the Raiders came from behind to win 35–34.[2] The Raiders scored a touchdown with 47 seconds remaining in the game to bring them within one point. Instead of kicking an extra point, Raiders coach Jack Del Rio ordered a two-point conversion, which quarterback Derek Carr successfully converted with a pass to receiver Michael Crabtree. The Saints received the kickoff and Brees led the team down the field in two plays to give kicker Wil Lutz a chance at a game-winning 61-yard field goal, but the kick went wide left.[3] The Saints defense was criticized for its performance, as it gave up 210 yards and 22 points in the fourth quarter.[4] [5]
For the first time in 11 years, Drew Brees returned to San Diego to face his former team, the Chargers, where he began his NFL career. In the game, the Saints got their first win of the season, rallying in the 4th quarter after trailing 34–21 to win 35–34, mostly due to two key fumbles by the Chargers.
The Saints meet the Seahawks for the first time in 3 years. It was also the Saints' first victory against Seattle since the 2010 season.
The Saints travel to Levi's Stadium to match up with the 49ers. For the first time since the 2013 season, the Saints defeated the 49ers.
As part of Color Rush, the Saints wore all-white uniforms for this game, inspired by the ones they wore in 1975. Due to this, it was the first time the Saints have worn white pants since 1985 and the second season they wore all-white uniforms in franchise history, the first being the 1975 season. The Saints went into the fourth quarter with a 20-point deficit to the Panthers. The Saints rallied and got within three with 5:11 left to go in the game, but the Panthers were able to hold them off.
The Saints were able to defeat the Rams for the first time since the 2010 season.
To celebrate 50 seasons in the NFL, the Saints wore special 1967–75 throwback uniforms. It was only worn for this game.
With the win against Arizona, the Saints improved to 6-8. This also marked the only season in which the Saints swept the NFC West division.
Because the Saints lost to the Falcons, they finished the season with a 7-9 record for the third straight season. The Saints were also swept by the Falcons for the first time since the 2014 season.