If you're waking up this Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, checking your phone to see what time do saints play today, I've got some news that might sting a little. The short answer? They don’t. While the NFL Divisional Round is officially kicking off with some heavy-hitters today, the New Orleans Saints are already deep into their off-season planning.
It's a tough pill to swallow for the Who Dat Nation.
Usually, this is the time of year when the French Quarter is buzzing and everyone is looking for the nearest TV. But after a rocky 2025 campaign that saw the Saints finish with a 6-11 record, the Caesars Superdome is quiet today. They officially wrapped up their season on January 4th with a heartbreaking 19-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
The 2026 Playoff Picture Without New Orleans
Even though our guys aren't on the field, today is actually one of the biggest days in the NFL calendar. We are in the heart of the Divisional Round. If you were hoping to catch some football, here is who is actually taking the field today:
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- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: This AFC showdown starts at 4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. New Orleans time) on CBS.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: The nightcap is an NFC West rivalry game starting at 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. New Orleans time) on FOX.
It’s weird seeing the Seahawks and 49ers battle it out for a spot in the NFC Championship while the Saints are watching from home. Especially since the Seahawks handed the Saints a massive 44-13 loss back in Week 3 of the regular season. That game sort of set the tone for a year that just never quite got on track.
What Happened to the Saints This Season?
Honestly, the "what time do saints play today" question usually has a much more exciting answer this late in January. But 2025 was a year of "almosts."
Think about it. We saw Tyler Shough taking snaps and Ronnie Bell emerging as a legit threat, but the consistency just wasn't there. The defense had moments of brilliance—like that 29-6 blowout against the Jets in Week 16—but the 1-8 start to the season was just too deep of a hole to climb out of.
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They finished 4th in the NFC South.
That hurts. Especially when you see teams like the Buccaneers or Falcons moving into the post-season conversation. The Saints did manage to win four of their last five games, which gave us some hope, but that final loss in Atlanta basically slammed the door shut on any "miracle" playoff scenarios.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Since you can't watch them today, the next best thing is looking at what's coming. The 2026 opponents are already locked in. While we don't have the exact kickoff times yet (the NFL usually drops the full schedule in May), we know who is coming to New Orleans.
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The 2026 home slate looks pretty intense. We've got the usual suspects like the Falcons, Panthers, and Bucs. But we're also hosting the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. If you’re a fan of old-school rivalries, those are the ones you'll want to circle on your calendar.
On the road, the team has some tough travel. They’ll be heading to Baltimore to face the Ravens and taking a trip to Detroit. It's not going to be an easy path back to the playoffs, but that late-season surge in 2025 showed that there’s still some fight left in this roster.
How to Spend Your Saturday Instead
Since there's no Saints game to plan your day around, you might as well enjoy the high-stakes football that is happening.
- Watch the Broncos/Bills game: It’s interesting to see how Denver has turned into a powerhouse in the AFC.
- Scout the NFC West: Since the Saints play the NFC West fairly often, watching the 49ers and Seahawks tonight is a good way to see what the "gold standard" in the conference looks like right now.
- Check out the Draft Big Board: This is officially "Draft Season" for Saints fans. With a 6-11 record, New Orleans is looking at a solid first-round pick. Keep an eye on the top offensive line prospects or perhaps another weapon for the passing game.
It's a bummer that the answer to what time do saints play today is "not today," but the off-season is where the next Super Bowl run actually begins.
Your Next Steps:
- Mark your calendar for May: That's when the official 2026 NFL schedule will be released with exact times and dates.
- Track the Coaching Staff: Keep an eye on local New Orleans sports news over the next few weeks for any changes to the defensive or offensive schemes.
- Review the Mock Drafts: Now that the Saints' draft position is finalized, start looking at which college standouts are projected to land in the Big Easy.