If you’re frantically refreshing your phone or yelling at your TV remote asking what's the score of the Saints game today, I’ve got some news that might sting a little.
The New Orleans Saints aren't playing today.
Today is Friday, January 16, 2026. The NFL is currently deep into the Divisional Round of the playoffs, but the Black and Gold are watching from their couches just like the rest of us. After a rollercoaster of a season that saw some surprising late-season life, New Orleans officially closed the book on their 2025-2026 campaign about twelve days ago.
It's a weird feeling for fans who got used to January football during the Brees era, but the reality is the Saints finished their season with a 6-11 record.
The final score that ended it all
The last time the Saints took the field was Sunday, January 4, 2026. It was a Week 18 regular-season finale against their bitter rivals, the Atlanta Falcons. Honestly, it was a classic "Saints-Falcons" mess.
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New Orleans lost that game 19-17.
It was a heartbreaking way to go out. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, who had actually put together a decent little win streak in December, threw a late interception to Atlanta's Dee Alford. That pick basically sealed the deal. Shough did manage to connect with Ronnie Bell for a 16-yard touchdown with about a minute left, but the onside kick failed.
The Falcons ended up sweeping the Saints for the season, which always tastes a bit like sour milk for anyone living in the 504. Even stranger? Atlanta fired their coach, Raheem Morris, and their GM right after winning that game.
Where the Saints stand right now
Because the Saints finished 6-11 and at the bottom of the NFC South, they have no game today. The NFC South title actually went to the Carolina Panthers, who finished 8-9. It was a bizarre year for the division where nobody really wanted to take control.
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While you're looking for the score of the Saints game today, the rest of the league is moving on to the big stage. Here is the actual playoff schedule for this weekend:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears.
The Saints are officially in "evaluation mode." Coach Kellen Moore finished his first year with some momentum—they actually won four of their last five before that final Falcons loss—but there are massive questions about the future of the roster.
Why there's no score to report
Basically, the season is over. The Superdome is quiet.
If you're seeing people wearing jerseys today, they're probably just mourning a season that started rough, got hopeful in December, and then crashed in Atlanta. The team is currently looking at the 2026 NFL Draft and trying to figure out if Tyler Shough is actually the "guy" or just a temporary fix.
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The 2026 opponents are already set, though. Since the Saints finished fourth, they'll be playing a "fourth-place" schedule next year. That means games against teams like the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders at home, and trips to face the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.
What to do instead of watching the Saints
Since there is no what's the score of the Saints game today update to give you beyond "0-0 because they aren't playing," you might as well look ahead.
The NFL Draft is the next big milestone for this franchise. With a 6-11 record, New Orleans will have a high pick to address some glaring needs on the offensive line and in the secondary.
Keep an eye on the injury report for LT Kelvin Banks Jr., who got carted off in that final game against Atlanta with an ankle injury. His recovery will be huge for whoever is under center next September.
For now, grab a po-boy, turn on the Broncos-Bills game tomorrow, and start dreaming about 2027. The Black and Gold will be back eventually, but for this Friday in January, the scoreboard is dark in New Orleans.
Check the official NFL standings to see how the playoff bracket is shaking out without the Saints, and keep tabs on the upcoming Senior Bowl rosters to see which prospects the front office might be scouting.