The New Orleans Saints aren't playing today. If you're looking for the saints score right now, the scoreboard is dark.
It’s Sunday, January 18, 2026, and while the rest of the NFL is beating each other up in the Divisional Round—the Texans are at the Patriots and the Rams are visiting the Bears—the Saints are home in Louisiana. Or maybe on vacation. Honestly, after the season they just had, they probably need the break.
They finished 6-11.
💡 You might also like: D. Wayne Lukas Died: What Really Happened to The Coach
That’s the reality. The season technically ended exactly two weeks ago on January 4th with a heartbreaker in Atlanta. If you want the most recent "live" score, it was Atlanta Falcons 19, New Orleans Saints 17. It was a classic NFC South mess. New Orleans had a chance to win it late, but Tyler Shough threw a pick to Dee Alford that set up a Falcons field goal.
The Last Saints Score and What it Cost Them
That 19-17 loss to the Falcons wasn't just a rivalry defeat. It was the final nail. It snapped a four-game winning streak that had fans actually feeling... hopeful? Kellen Moore, in his first year as head coach, finally seemed to have things clicking after a disastrous 1-7 start under Spencer Rattler.
Then it all fell apart in the fourth quarter.
The defense was actually solid. Cam Jordan, who tied Drew Brees for the most games played in franchise history this season, notched his 10th sack. Chase Young was disruptive. But when the offense needed one final drive to steal the division for the Buccaneers (yeah, the tiebreakers were that weird), they couldn't finish.
2025 Season Final Standings
- Carolina Panthers: 8-9 (NFC South Champs)
- Atlanta Falcons: 8-9
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-9
- New Orleans Saints: 6-11
Yeah, you read that right. The entire division was a sub-.500 wash, but the Saints managed to find the basement.
📖 Related: Altra Zero Drop Tennis Shoes: Why Your Toes Are Finally Screaming Thank You
Who is Playing Today Instead?
Since there is no saints score right now, you’re probably looking at the playoff bracket. Today’s Divisional Round schedule is where the real action is.
At 3:00 PM ET, the Houston Texans are taking on the New England Patriots. The Patriots have been a juggernaut, going 15-3 so far. Then, at 6:30 PM ET, the Los Angeles Rams face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
It’s gotta sting for Saints fans to watch the Bears in a Divisional game while New Orleans watches from the couch. Especially since the Saints actually beat the Jets and Titans late in the year to ruin their draft pick but couldn't quite climb into the postseason conversation.
What’s Next for the Saints?
Basically, the "score" for the Saints right now is all about the 2026 NFL Draft and their upcoming opponents. Since they finished last in the NFC South, they actually get a "last-place schedule" next year.
That sounds bad, but it’s a gift.
It means they’ll face other bottom-tier teams like the New York Giants and the Las Vegas Raiders. We already know who they’re playing at the Superdome in 2026: the Falcons, Panthers, Bucs, Packers, Vikings, Browns, Steelers, Cardinals, and Raiders.
📖 Related: Sam Darnold Mono Graphic: What Most People Get Wrong
Why Tyler Shough is the Name to Watch
Spencer Rattler started the year, but Tyler Shough is the guy who gave this team a spark in December. He finished the Falcons game 23-of-35 for 259 yards. He’s got mobility—he ripped off a 29-yard scramble in that final game—and he’s developed a real connection with Ronnie Bell.
If Moore can keep that momentum going, 2026 might actually have a different ending.
Actionable Steps for Saints Fans
- Watch the Draft Order: With a 6-11 record, the Saints are looking at a top-10 pick. Keep an eye on the mock drafts starting in February.
- Monitor the Coaching Staff: Kellen Moore is safe for now, but there will be shifts in the defensive rooms after the Falcons swept them this year.
- Check Free Agency: Paulson Adebo is already gone (Giants), and guys like Chase Young are on big contracts. The cap hell in New Orleans is a real thing, as always.
The Saints won't be back on the field until August. For now, the only "score" that matters is how they manage the salary cap and the draft board.