Let’s start with the good news. Per the NFL Media Research Department, the New Orleans Saints are going into the 2023 season with the second-easiest strength of schedule around the league — their opponents having combined for a 122-164-3 record last year. There’s no excuses for Dennis Allen and Derek Carr to not find success this season.
Now the bad news. All four NFC South teams rank in the ten easiest strength of schedule projections, with the Atlanta Falcons slotting in ahead of the Saints to face the weakest lineup in the entire league. The Carolina Panthers are just a little behind with the sixth-weakest slate of opponents. And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers round out the group with the eleventh-easiest schedule, based off of last year’s standings.
