The first three preseason games of 2018 are in the books, so “bold” predictions tend to be easier to plot around this time of year. A month’s-worth of training camp has been completed, and players are gearing up to fight for their spots on rosters. More factors come into focus, on top of the public’s access to the regular season schedule for quite some time. With a greater amount of knowledge set in stone, team’s identities for the upcoming season are much easier to pinpoint. 

However, predicting any aspect of any season, for any team, in any sport, is tough no matter what. Anything can happen, and one must always expect the unexpected. Using statistics based off last season, combined with schedules for individual teams for the upcoming season, yields fairly respectable predictions.

For the New Orleans Saints, optimism is at the highest level it has been in years. After three consecutive 7-9 finishes brought Who Dat Nation an 11-5 finish in 2017. The team was one play away from making the NFC Championship game, so it’s not crazy to think this improved team can make it even further in 2018. 

But, it’s time to get bold. There are some positive and some negative aspects to this Saints team. From 18-year veteran Drew Brees to rookie/training camp standout Tre’Quan Smith, the Saints roster is filled with diversity all-around. With head coach Sean Payton entering his 13th year with New Orleans, anything is possible with a diverse NFL roster.

Here are five bold predictions for the Saints’ 2018 season. 

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