The New Orleans Saints are one of the NFL's worst teams based on record, with a 4-10 total through 15 weeks of play. But, after winning three of their last five games, including a sweep of the Carolina Panthers, the Saints look good.
Tyler Shough has played well, and Kellen Moore has managed the team well despite a losing season and a few tough injuries. Their season has been over for some time, and yet, the Saints are having a decent season.
For NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, this isn't just a decent season. They described the Saints, at 4-10, as having a successful 2025 season and the NFC South's hottest team heading into Week 16.
Why Saints, at 4-10, are having a successful season
"At 4-10, the Saints are long out of the playoff chase." Rapoport and Pelissero write. "However, there's a case to be made that not only has Kellen Moore's first season been a success, but that New Orleans is also the hottest team in the division, with wins over the Bucs and Panthers in a five-day span."
The Saint, despite their bleak record, is having a strong season. Shough has been an incredibly promising rookie quarterback, as he's helped lead impressive comeback wins over the Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in recent weeks.
This season was never meant to be a contending one, but there have been enough positives to build upon looking into the future.
More: Is Tyler Shough making a case to be Saints' long-term answer at quarterback?
Shough looks to be a potential franchise quarterback, and Moore has managed the team well this season. Chris Olave is a strong number one receiver. Devaughn Vele, Keandre Miller, Devin Neal, and plenty of other young players have impressed this season.
A lot of building needs to happen for the Saints to become serious NFC South and playoff contenders, but so far, for Moore and Shough, it's been a very solid beginning to their time together.
The Saints are 4-10, but are having a successful 2025 season thanks to the emergence of Shough and Moore as potential mainstays of the organization for years to come.
This is a great season to build upon, and if the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft and offseason can go well, the Saints could take a huge leap into contender status as early as 2026.
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