Grok simulates the New Orleans Saints’ 2026 NFL season, including game-by-game results, playoff predictions, and more
The New Orleans Saints are about to ramp up training camp when the pads come on and the season starts for all intents and purposes. But before they do, here is a look at how the 2026 season may play out, via Grok.
The New Orleans Saints might be flying under the radar right now, but if everything goes to plan, they will be contending for an NFC South championship come December. Tyler Shough is poised for a year-two leap with his top weapon secured for the long term, and the team has added another dynamic threat to the offense in Jordyn Tyson.
The Saints have dealt with some losses early in camp, though, as fan favorite Taysom Hill is stepping away from the team and budding star Bryan Bresee is set to miss the year. So where do the Saints fit into the NFL picture? We asked Grok to help us simulate the season.
Saints key offseason additions
- RB Travis Etienne Jr.
- WR Jordyn Tyson.
- OG David Edwards.
New Orleans Saints 2026 season simulation
Context: Year 2 under head coach Kellen Moore. Second-year QB Tyler Shough is the clear starter after a promising late-2025 stretch (runner-up Offensive Rookie of the Year consideration in limited action). Key additions include RB Travis Etienne Jr., LG David Edwards, TE Noah Fant, and high draft pick WR Jordyn Tyson. Returning pieces include WR Chris Olave, TE Juwan Johnson, OL Kelvin Banks Jr. / Taliese Fuaga / Erik McCoy / Cesar Ruiz, CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, and veteran DE Cameron Jordan (final season). Defense (coordinated by Brandon Staley) returns largely intact after a solid 2025. Prior year: 6-11. Vegas/projection consensus sat around 7.5–8 wins with modest playoff odds.
Regular-season results
| Week | Opponent | Result | Score | Record | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | at Detroit Lions | L | 20-27 | 0-1 | Shough solid but Lions’ home power prevails. Etienne 80+ yards. |
| 2 | at Baltimore Ravens | L | 17-24 | 0-2 | Tough road start; Ravens defense forces turnovers. |
| 3 | vs Las Vegas Raiders | W | 28-17 | 1-2 | Home opener. Olave and Tyson both score; Shough efficient. |
| 4 | vs Atlanta Falcons (MNF) | W | 24-21 | 2-2 | Emotional rivalry win on 20th anniversary of post-Katrina Superdome return. Late defensive stop. |
| 5 | vs Minnesota Vikings | W | 31-24 | 3-2 | Offense clicks; Juwan Johnson and Etienne key. |
| 6 | at New York Giants | W | 27-13 | 4-2 | Road win over weaker foe. Balanced attack. |
| 7 | vs Pittsburgh Steelers (Paris) | L | 16-20 | 4-3 | International game at Stade de France. Close but special teams/field position decide it. |
| 8 | BYE | — | — | 4-3 | — |
| 9 | vs Cleveland Browns | W | 23-16 | 5-3 | Defense dominates; McKinstry picks off a pass. |
| 10 | vs Carolina Panthers | W | 30-17 | 6-3 | Division win. Shough throws 3 TDs. |
| 11 | at Chicago Bears | L | 21-28 | 6-4 | Road loss; former coach Dennis Allen’s side edges them. |
| 12 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L | 24-31 | 6-5 | Burrow/Chase too much in shootout. |
| 13 | vs Green Bay Packers | L | 20-23 | 6-6 | Close home loss; late field goal decides. |
| 14 | at Carolina Panthers | W | 26-20 | 7-6 | Road division win; Etienne and Kamara share carries effectively. |
| 15 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L | 17-24 | 7-7 | Division road loss. |
| 16 | vs Arizona Cardinals | W | 34-21 | 8-7 | Strong home performance; Shough 300+ yards, 3 TDs. |
| 17 | at Atlanta Falcons | W | 28-24 | 9-7 | Crucial road rivalry win keeps playoff hopes alive. |
| 18 | vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L | 19-22 | 9-8 | Season finale loss; miss wild-card on tiebreakers. |
Final record: 9-8
NFC South standings (simulated)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — clinch division
- New Orleans Saints (9-8)
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
Saints finish second in the division but miss the playoffs (one of the stronger wild-card races). Improvement from 6-11 with better late-season form and young talent developing.
Key season stats & storylines (simulated)
- Tyler Shough: ~4,200–4,400 yards, 26–28 TDs, ~12–14 INTs. Clear franchise QB progress in full starter year under Moore’s scheme.
- Travis Etienne Jr.: Primary back, 1,000+ total yards, solid TD production. Alvin Kamara still effective in complementary role (final year vibes).
- Chris Olave: 1,100+ yards, double-digit scores; remains WR1. Rookie Jordyn Tyson contributes immediately as WR2 with big-play ability. Juwan Johnson continues strong TE production alongside Noah Fant.
- Defense: Top-12 unit overall. McKinstry solidifies as CB1. Interior line (Bresee + veterans/young talent) and edge presence (Granderson, Jordan’s farewell year) generate pressure. Secondary holds up well against the pass.
- Notable: Early 0-2 hole after tough road openers, then 6-1 stretch to get to 6-3. Mid-to-late schedule features competitive losses to stronger teams. Paris international game is a memorable experience but a narrow loss. Cam Jordan’s final season features several sacks and emotional moments. No major catastrophic injuries assumed in this sim, though depth is tested.
Overall narrative
The Saints take a clear step forward in Year 2 of the Moore/Shough era. Offense gains consistency with improved OL and skill-position talent; defense remains a strength. 9-8 is a realistic “almost” season—playoff contention into December/January but ultimately short of the postseason. Sets up optimism for 2027 as the young core (Shough, Banks, Fuaga, Tyson, McKinstry, etc.) gains experience.
This is a probabilistic simulation grounded in 2026 preseason roster/schedule projections, strength of schedule, and typical development curves—not a prediction of exact outcomes. Actual results will vary with injuries, coaching adjustments, and on-field execution.
