MINNEAPOLIS – The New Orleans Saints ended the season in heartbreaking fashion, with a last-second divisional-round playoff loss at Minnesota after winning the NFC South with an 11-5 record.
Here’s a recap of the season and what’s next:
Season grade: Above average. The Saints were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this year, especially after an awful 0-2 start that followed three consecutive 7-9 seasons. They were boosted by one of the best draft classes in recent NFL history and became as well-rounded as they've ever been in the Sean Payton-Drew Brees era with a potent run game, passing game and defense.
Season in review: The Saints were 10 seconds away from their first trip to the NFC Championship Game in eight years when they fell victim to one of the most stunning, sensational plays in NFL history -- a 61-yard TD pass from Vikings quarterback Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs as time expired in Minnesota’s 29-24 win.
Up until that moment, the story of the Saints’ 2017 season was one of resurgence and resilience. Their young secondary took a while to come together as they allowed more than 1,000 yards and 65 points during that 0-2 start (against the still-thriving Vikings and New England Patriots). And the Saints’ run game took a while to find its groove. (Remember when Adrian Peterson was in New Orleans for the first four games of this season before being traded to Arizona?)
Ultimately, rookie running back Alvin Kamara and rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore became breakout stars for a team that went on an eight-game winning streak. And Brees became one of the NFL’s best “supporting actors,” setting an NFL record with a 72.0 completion percentage while throwing his fewest pass attempts, yards, touchdowns and interceptions per game in 12 years with the Saints.
Kamara and veteran Mark Ingram became the first pair of running backs on the same team to surpass 1,500 yards from scrimmage in a season. Receiver Michael Thomas broke the NFL record for most catches in the first two seasons of a career (196). And defensive end Cameron Jordan had double-digit sacks and pass defenses to become a first-team All-Pro for the first time.
Ultimately, losing 10 projected starters to injured reserve probably caught up with the Saints, as well as Sunday’s rematch with a stellar Vikings team that featured the No. 1 defense in the league.
Biggest play of season: I had this space reserved for Jordan’s first career interception for a touchdown in Week 6 against the Detroit Lions (or maybe Lattimore’s legendary “butt pick” from the Week 16 win over the Atlanta Falcons) since they symbolized the way New Orleans’ defense became a driving force for the team's success. But obviously those candidates were erased by Diggs’ touchdown on Sunday. Rookie Saints safety Marcus Williams whiffed on the tackle around the 35-yard line and was as hard on himself afterward as you would expect. But he wasn’t alone in the blame.
He said it: Brees had some positive comments Sunday, including his belief that the Saints are entering “a window of time here where we can really make a run at it.” But he also gave a quote that showed just how stunning the loss was. When asked if he could recall an ending quite like it, Brees grimly replied, “Not like that. Not like that. That’s probably the craziest thing I’ve ever been a part of -- and unfortunately the wrong side of it.”
A runner-up candidate, for purposes of reflecting on the positive: When Kamara said, “I kind of go into ‘Matrix’ mode” as he sets up all the missed tackles he creates.
Key offseason questions
Brees’ next contract? Believe it or not, Brees is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent -- with a clause in his contract that says the Saints can’t place the franchise tag on him. However, Brees (who turned 39 on Monday) repeatedly has insisted that he doesn’t plan on going anywhere and he expects the Saints to re-sign him. The only questions are when it will happen and how big a deal it will be. But since the Saints clearly have preferred to take Brees’ contract one year at a time in recent years, there is no reason to expect a blockbuster.
Kenny Vaccaro and other free agents: Whether the Saints re-sign their former first-round draft pick is a bigger question. Vaccaro has shown great potential over the past five years, which could drive up his price on the open market. But he also has shown some inconsistency, which could make the Saints turn to younger replacements Vonn Bell and Williams, rather than getting into a bidding war. Vaccaro’s best friend, defensive end Alex Okafor, might be a higher priority in free agency if the Saints are confident he’ll return healthy from a torn Achilles. The Saints have a handful of other valued free agents, but none that should break the bank.
Biggest draft need: For me, it's still the front seven on defense, whether that’s another edge rusher or pass-rushing defensive tackle or an outside linebacker who can help in pass coverage. But a tight end or another possession receiver wouldn’t hurt after the Saints’ shocking third-down struggles. And eventually they will need to find Brees' successor. Unfortunately, they don’t have much ammo to work with, since they traded away their second-round pick to get Kamara. They’ll pick 27th in Round 1.
Free agency targets: A few big names come to mind, including two veteran cornerbacks they considered trading for this past offseason (Malcolm Butler and Trumaine Johnson). And then of course there is former Saints superstar tight end Jimmy Graham, who needs to get his own career back on track as much as the Saints need to revive the position in their passing offense. But those guys might all prove too costly for the Saints, who had success with some bargain shopping this past year. That approach might also eliminate defensive line standouts such as Ezekiel Ansah, Sheldon Richardson and Star Lotulelei.