Are media ‘experts’ being too negative with their 2025 Saints projections: Dattitude, Ep. 376

 

“Are Media ‘Experts’ Being Too Negative with Their 2025 Saints Projections?”
Dattitude, Ep. 376 – Full Breakdown

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Dattitude, Episode 376: Are the Media Experts Missing the Mark on the 2025 Saints?
By [Author Name]

It’s Episode 376 of Dattitude, and we’re not holding back.

As we inch closer to the 2025 NFL season, you can feel it bubbling beneath the surface in New Orleans. Optimism. Curiosity. But also, frustration. Because once again, the national media “experts” are writing off the New Orleans Saints. Picked to finish third or fourth in a weak NFC South. Dismissed as a team in transition. Overlooked and underappreciated.

And we’ve got to ask the question: Are they being too negative? Or are they just plain wrong?

This week on Dattitude, host Jim Derry dives deep into the projections, the assumptions, the storylines—and, more importantly, the facts. From offensive upgrades and coaching changes to culture shifts and cap-clever moves, Episode 376 is all about challenging the media’s lazy narratives with real football logic.

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The Negative Narrative: Saints Are “Middle of the Pack”

Let’s start with what the so-called experts are saying.

Pick a site—ESPN, NFL Network, The Athletic—and you’ll find a similar theme: the Saints aren’t contenders. Most preseason power rankings place them between 18th and 24th overall. Analysts project a 7–10 or 8–9 record. In many early NFC South projections, they’re sitting behind the Falcons and Bucs, and in some cases, even the rebuilding Panthers.

The reasoning? “Lack of offensive identity.” “Aging roster.” “Quarterback inconsistency.” “Defensive regression.”

But as Jim Derry asked at the top of the episode: Are these opinions actually based on analysis—or are they the result of coasting on outdated narratives?

“I swear,” Derry said. “Sometimes it feels like these guys haven’t watched a single Saints game since 2021.”

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Why the Doubt?

Derry broke down the likely reasons behind the negativity:

1. Post-Brees Hangover
Ever since Drew Brees retired after the 2020 season, the Saints have been struggling to define their new identity. National media seem stuck on that storyline. The narrative of a franchise lost in transition has been parroted for four seasons—even though the team has remained competitive (three 7+ win seasons since 2021).

2. Dennis Allen Skepticism
Head coach Dennis Allen hasn’t earned universal confidence. Despite his defensive expertise, the Saints have lacked consistency. Critics point to late-game collapses, conservative decision-making, and missed playoff opportunities.

3. Derek Carr’s National Image
“Carr’s not flashy,” Derry explained. “He doesn’t have that Patrick Mahomes vibe or Josh Allen arm. So the national guys think he’s just ‘meh.’ But down here, we saw some real flashes last season—and he was doing it behind a patchwork O-line and a scheme that didn’t suit him.”

4. Market Bias
Let’s face it: New Orleans doesn’t move the national needle the way Dallas, New York, or Los Angeles do. The Saints aren’t “media darlings.” So unless they’re going 13–4, they won’t get the benefit of the doubt.

 

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What the Experts Are Missing

But here’s where Derry really leaned in—what the national takes are ignoring.

1. Kellen Moore Is a Legit Upgrade

The hiring of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore may go down as the biggest offseason move nobody’s talking about.

“You put Kellen’s system with the Saints’ weapons,” Derry said, “and you’ve got fireworks waiting to happen.”

Moore’s offenses in Dallas and Los Angeles consistently ranked in the top 10 in yardage and scoring. He modernizes the passing game, balances the run, and tailors schemes to his quarterback’s strengths. With a full offseason to install, expect the Saints’ offense to look unrecognizable compared to last year’s sluggish unit.

2. Carr Was Better Than You Think

Derek Carr caught heat in 2024, but the stats tell a different story: 3,681 yards, 24 TDs, 9 INTs—despite battling rib and shoulder injuries, behind a shaky line, and in an offense that lacked tempo or rhythm.

“With Kellen Moore calling plays,” Derry said, “Carr won’t just manage games—he’ll start winning them.”

3. A Healthy O-Line

It’s easy to forget just how beat-up the Saints’ offensive line was in 2024. Ryan Ramczyk missed half the season. Trevor Penning regressed. Andrus Peat shifted positions constantly. But with the addition of first-round pick Taliese Fuaga and the return of James Hurst and Erik McCoy, the unit suddenly looks competent again.

“If this group stays healthy,” Derry argued, “Carr gets time—and when Carr has time, he can carve.”

4. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed: WR1 & WR1A

Chris Olave has quietly emerged as one of the best route-runners in the league, and Rashid Shaheed’s explosiveness gives the Saints a downfield threat few teams can match.

“Don’t be surprised if both of these guys go over 1,000 yards this year,” Derry said. “You can’t double both of them—and if Kellen gets creative, look out.”

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The Defensive Identity Still Holds

Much of the media skepticism centers around the belief that the Saints’ defense is aging or declining. Derry wasn’t having it.

“Yes, Cam Jordan’s getting older—but the core is still intact,” he said.

Demario Davis remains one of the most reliable linebackers in the NFL. Marshon Lattimore is healthy and motivated. Alontae Taylor continues to improve, and rookie safety Malik Mustipher looks like a steal. Up front, the development of Bryan Bresee and the re-signing of Carl Granderson give the line fresh legs and pressure potential.

“You’re telling me that unit can’t be top-10 again? C’mon,” Derry added.

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Culture, Chemistry, and Continuity

Another underrated factor in the Saints’ 2025 outlook: they aren’t starting from scratch.

Carr is entering year two with the team. Kamara, Olave, and Juwan Johnson are all returning. The locker room has cohesion. Unlike teams with new QBs, new coaches, and major roster turnover, the Saints bring familiarity—and now, finally, offensive innovation.

“That combination is gold,” Derry said. “When you’ve got trust and new ideas coming together, that’s when teams click.”

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NFC South: A Winnable Division

Let’s not ignore the big picture: the NFC South is wide open.

Atlanta has a new coach and Kirk Cousins returning from a torn Achilles.

Tampa Bay has Baker Mayfield on a hot streak—but can he repeat?

Carolina is still in Year 2 of a rebuild with Bryce Young.

“Why not the Saints?” Derry asked. “They’ve got the most balanced roster, most proven quarterback, and now one of the best OCs in the league. How do you not at least give them a shot?”

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Fan Reactions: Fired Up and Focused

Throughout Episode 376, Derry read emails and social media posts from Saints fans across the Gulf Coast—and one message stood out:

“The national media always forgets about us—until we remind them.”

That chip-on-the-shoulder mentality has defined Saints football since the Brees-Payton era. And with a new offensive architect and a veteran-led roster, fans are hungry to prove the world wrong again.

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Final Word: Let the Season Speak

As the episode wrapped, Derry delivered his trademark closing:

“You want to pick the Saints to go 6–11? Fine. You want to call Carr washed? Go for it. But when the Dome is rocking in November and Kellen Moore’s dialing up 30-point games—don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

Because here’s the reality: the Saints have questions, sure. But so does every team. What they also have is potential, experience, and now—finally—the right offensive vision to pull it all together.

And if the media “experts” can’t see that?

Well, that’s just more Dattitude fuel for the fire.

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