The New Orleans Saints, seemingly, have nothing to play for in their final regular season game in Week 17, at home, against the Carolina Panthers. With their 31-28 Week 16 win, last Sunday, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Saints have the number one seed for the NFC Playoffs all locked up. No matter what happens this week, they can’t be overtaken.
So common wisdom amongst those who report on the Saints for a living is that the bigger names will be sitting this one out. Drew Brees for sure. Maybe Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas. Certainly Terron Armstead who has been dealing with the lingering effects of a pectoral tear.