If you're frantically refreshing your feed to find out what time new orleans saints play today, I have some news that might sting a bit. Honestly, there isn't a kickoff time for the Black and Gold this afternoon. The Saints aren't taking the field today, January 18, 2026.
Why? Because their season officially wrapped up back on January 4th with a tough 19-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
While the rest of the NFL world is buzzing about the Divisional Round matchups—like the Texans taking on the Patriots or the Rams heading to Chicago—New Orleans is already deep into "next year" mode. It's that weird, quiet part of the calendar for Saints fans where the Superdome stays dark, and the conversation shifts from touchdown celebrations to draft boards and salary cap spreadsheets.
The Reality of the Saints Postseason (Or Lack Thereof)
It’s easy to get confused by the schedule this time of year. The NFL playoffs are in full swing, and when you see "NFL Sunday" on the calendar, the instinct is to check for your team. But the Saints finished the 2025-2026 regular season with a 6-11 record. That put them at the bottom of the NFC South.
No playoffs. No "today" game. Just a lot of questions about where the franchise goes from here.
Kellen Moore's first year as head coach didn't exactly set the world on fire. We saw some flashes, sure. Tyler Shough, the rookie quarterback who took over late in the season, showed he might actually have the "it" factor. He threw for 259 yards and a touchdown in that season finale against Atlanta. But a 6-11 finish means you're watching the Divisional Round from the couch, just like the rest of us.
What is Actually Happening in the NFL Today?
Since you're likely a football fan if you're asking what time new orleans saints play today, you probably still want to catch some high-stakes action. Even without the Saints, today is arguably one of the best football days of the year.
The Divisional Round is where the pretenders get tossed aside. Here is the actual schedule for Sunday, January 18, 2026:
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: Kickoff is at 3:00 PM ET. This one is on ESPN and ABC. It’s a massive clash between C.J. Stroud and Drake Maye.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: This is the primetime slot at 6:30 PM ET on NBC and Peacock. Soldier Field is going to be rocking for Caleb Williams.
It's a bit of a bummer that New Orleans isn't in that mix. Especially when you consider how wide open the NFC South felt for most of the autumn. But the reality is that the Saints' defense, while gritty, couldn't quite compensate for an offense that struggled with consistency and injuries to key players like Alvin Kamara.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Saints Schedule
Even though they aren't playing today, the "Who Dat" nation never really stops looking forward. We already know who the Saints will be lining up against next season. Because they finished fourth in the division, they'll be facing a "fourth-place" schedule, which—on paper—might give them a slightly easier path back to relevance.
The 2026 home slate at the Caesars Superdome will feature the usual divisional rivals: Atlanta, Carolina, and Tampa Bay. But we're also getting visits from the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The road trip schedule looks a bit more daunting. The team will have to travel to places like Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Detroit. Playing in those environments is never easy, especially if the weather decides to get nasty.
Why the 2026 Season Could Be Different
There is a silver lining to this early exit. The Saints are currently slated to play seven games against teams that will have new head coaches in 2026. Teams like the Falcons, Cardinals, Ravens, and Raiders are all undergoing leadership changes.
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In the NFL, a new coach usually means a period of "finding yourself." If the Saints can keep their coaching staff stable and let Tyler Shough grow into the system, they might be able to catch these teams while they're still trying to figure out their new playbooks.
Actionable Steps for Saints Fans Today
Since there is no game to watch, here is how you can actually spend your Sunday productively as a New Orleans fan:
- Audit the Draft Order: With a 6-11 record, the Saints are picking high. Start looking at the top offensive tackle and wide receiver prospects. The offensive line needs help if Shough is going to survive a full 17-game season.
- Watch the Competition: Keep an eye on the Rams and Bears game tonight. These are the teams the Saints need to leapfrog if they want to be relevant in the NFC next January.
- Check the Cap: It wouldn't be a Saints offseason without worrying about the salary cap. Expect some "restructuring" news to start trickling out soon as Mickey Loomis does his usual financial gymnastics.
The Saints might not be playing today, but the road back to the playoffs starts with the work being done in the front office right now. Enjoy the playoff games today, and keep the faith for 2026.