By Ross Jackson
The NFL has released the times and dates for most of the league’s preseason games. Among those released include the New Orleans Saints’ three-game schedule.
New Orleans will open the exhibition schedule on the road in a familiar place, California. New Orleans will travel to take on the Los Angeles Chargers before returning to the Big Easy for a pair of home matchups, giving the hometown crowd a chance to take in some of the big stories around the team headlined by a bout for the starting quarterback position.
Week 1: at Los Angeles Chargers
Sunday, Aug. 10 at 3:05 p.m. CT
This game will likely be preceded by joint practices on the west coast. When head coach Kellen Moore announced that the Saints’ training camp would return to their home facility in Metairie during the league meetings, he alluded to a respite from the heat elsewhere.
“Yeah, it’ll be in New Orleans. Sorry, Metairie,” the head coach said. “It’ll be in Louisiana, and we’re looking at some potential to see if we can go somewhere else for a shorter period of time this year. But, we’ll spend some time in Louisiana. The exposure to the heat and all that sort of stuff, we think there’ll be value to it.”
Moore and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley will return to SoFi stadium together to take on their former club.
Week 2: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, Aug. 17 at 12 p.m. CT
Saints fans will get their first taste of the Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler quarterback battle during this game. Perhaps the competition is settled by this game, but it seems likely that it will rage on through this preseason home opener.
Week 3: vs. Denver Broncos
Saturday, Aug. 23 at 12 p.m. CT
Sean Payton, Broncos head coach, makes a quick return to New Orleans after coaching against his former team for the first time last year. The stakes will be much lower from a win-loss perspective since that last matchup, but with roster cuts bearing down days after this game, the players are sure to give their all. Don’t expect a lot of starters in this matchup, but do expect some tough competition as players compete for their NFL futures.
