If you’re waking up in New Orleans today—or anywhere else in the world where the black and gold runs deep—and wondering what time do the new orleans saints play football today, I have some news that’s gonna sting a little.
They don't.
Honestly, the Superdome is quiet today, January 17, 2026. While the NFL is currently in the thick of the Divisional Round playoffs, the Saints are officially in "wait until next year" mode. The 2025-2026 season ended for New Orleans on January 4, 2026, following a tough 19-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
The Current State of the Saints
It's been a weird year for the Who Dat Nation. Finishing the season at 6-11 isn't exactly what anyone had on their bingo card, especially with the flashes of brilliance we saw from rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. He actually finished that final Falcons game with 17 completions and a rushing touchdown, showing some of that dual-threat capability that made folks in Eugene and Lubbock excited during his college days.
But a 6-11 record means no playoffs. It means a fourth-place finish in the NFC South. And it means that while teams like the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills are banging heads today, our guys are basically at home or already looking at real estate for the offseason.
Who IS playing today?
Since you're clearly looking for some football to scratch that itch, here is what the NFL schedule actually looks like for Saturday, January 17, 2026:
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- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: This one kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. back in NOLA). It's airing on CBS. Seeing Sean Payton coaching the top-seeded Broncos into a home playoff game definitely feels like a fever dream for Saints fans, but that’s the reality of the league right now.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: The nightcap starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX. It’s an NFC West slugfest that usually ends in some sort of chaos.
Why the Saints Are Watching From the Couch
It’s easy to point fingers when a season goes sideways. The reality is more nuanced. The Saints struggled with consistency under head coach Kellen Moore. Transitioning from the post-Brees era has been, well, clunky.
Injuries didn't help. The offensive line felt like a revolving door for most of October and November. When you can't protect the quarterback or establish a run game in the NFC South, you're gonna have a bad time.
The defense, usually the bedrock of this team, had its moments—ranking in the top 12 for takeaways—but they were on the field way too long. Fatigue is real. You could see it in the fourth quarter of that final Atlanta game. They just ran out of gas.
Looking Ahead to 2026
If you're already asking what time do the new orleans saints play football today for the upcoming season, we have a little wait. The 2026 NFL schedule won't be officially released until May.
However, we already know who the opponents are. Because of the fourth-place finish, the Saints are looking at a "last-place schedule," which might actually be a blessing in disguise for a quick turnaround.
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Home Opponents for 2026:
The Falcons, Panthers, and Bucs will all come to the Dome, obviously. But we're also getting visits from the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Road Trips for 2026:
Pack your bags for some cold ones. The Saints will travel to Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, and New York (to play the Giants), alongside the usual divisional stops.
The Quarterback Situation
Let's be real: everything hinges on Tyler Shough. He was the bright spot in a dim season. If he can take that "Year 2 Jump," the Saints won't be sitting out the Divisional Round next January.
There's already talk in the local media about whether the front office will bring in a high-profile veteran to "mentor" or compete. Personally? I think they’ve seen enough to give Shough the keys. He has the arm. He has the size. He just needs an offensive line that doesn't collapse like a card table in a hurricane.
A Scheduling Quirk for Next Year
Ross Jackson over at Louisiana Sports recently pointed out a wild stat: the Saints are set to play seven games in 2026 against teams with new head coaches.
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Think about that. Seven games against teams still trying to figure out their locker room culture and play-calling rhythm. If the Saints can keep their staff somewhat stable and healthy, that is a massive competitive advantage. It’s the kind of scheduling luck that turns a 6-11 team into a 10-7 wildcard contender overnight.
What to do Today Instead
Since there's no Saints game, and you're likely missing the atmosphere of Champions Square, you've got a few options:
- Hate-watch the NFC West: Put on the 49ers/Seahawks game and root for a 0-0 tie. It won't happen, but it feels good to dream.
- Scout the Competition: Watch the Broncos game. Sean Payton's offensive schemes in Denver still look remarkably similar to what he ran in New Orleans. It’s a good way to see what modern NFL "efficiency" looks like.
- Draft Prep: Start looking at the 2026 NFL Draft boards. With a high pick, the Saints are in a prime position to grab a blue-chip offensive tackle or a dynamic edge rusher.
The NFL Divisional Round is one of the best weekends in sports, even if our boys aren't in it. Grab some boudin, turn on the TV at 3:30 p.m., and just enjoy the fact that you don't have to stress about a missed pass interference call today.
To get ready for the next chapter, you should keep a close eye on the NFL Scouting Combine coming up in late February. This is where the Saints will start rebuilding that roster to ensure that this time next year, you'll actually have a kickoff time to look forward to.