Breakdown: The first game that stands out on the New Orleans Saints’ 2016 schedule is probably the first one the NFL locked into place: Week 3, Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
That will mark the 10th anniversary of the Saints’ epic return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina in 2006, when Saints hero Steve Gleason blocked a punt and led New Orleans to a 23-3 rout over the rival Falcons.
Surprisingly, though, that is one of only two prime-time games on New Orleans’ schedule (for now). This is the first time since 2006 that the Saints are scheduled to play less than three prime-time games – a sign of how their star has faded a bit after back-to-back 7-9 seasons.