2017 ATS record: 8-8
Optimist view: Most of the main contributors from last year's breakthrough 11-5 season in which the Saints won the NFC South are back. That includes Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore, respectively, along with All-Pro DE Cameron Jordan and the prolific pairing of Drew Brees and Michael Thomas.
New Orleans also returns its starting O-line, which surrendered the second-fewest sacks and paved the way for the second-highest average per carry in the NFL, entirely intact. Of course, with Brees and Payton, a high-powered offense is pretty much a foregone conclusion, but one of the few areas the NFL's second-rated attack endured uncharacteristic struggles (on third down, where it finished 19th) received attention with the signings of chain-moving TE Ben Watson and big-bodied slot WR Cam Meredith.