By Steve Hunt/FoxSportsSouthwest.com
Even the non-sentimental football fans had to feel a little something when the Saints hosted the Lombardi Trophy in February as Super Bowl champs. It truly was a magical moment for a franchise and a region that has endured its share of struggles, especially over the last few years. However, as is the case with any champ, they didn’t get much time to enjoy it as questions about whether or not they could repeat were quickly asked. New Orleans clearly has a rough road to return to the big game but it’s not entirely out of the question. Here are five reasons why they won’t likely repeat:
A Tougher Schedule
To the victor go the spoils, an adage that applies to every Super Bowl champion. That’s because the following year, the titleholder gets the luxury of playing a first-place schedule. The Saints will learn that quickly as they open the season on Thursday, September 9 against Minnesota at the Superdome. Eleven days later comes a trip to San Francisco, which figures to be a much-improved club and a team some figure will win the NFC West title. Besides their divisional games against the likes of Atlanta, Carolina and Tampa Bay, New Orleans will face tough road tests at Arizona on October 10, in Dallas on Thanksgiving Day, at Cincinnati on December 5 and in Baltimore on December 19. Sean Payton’s team will have the luxury of hosting the Vikings in the opener and the Steelers on Halloween but most of their key non-division games are away from home.
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