The NFL released their 2025 schedule on Wednesday, and we found out when and where the new era of the New Orleans Saints will begin. The answer is Coach Kellen Moore will first take the field at the Caesars Superdome on Sept. 7 against Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals, and in fact, the team will play the first half of its home schedule by the time Week 6 is done.

Just how tough is it? Well, the Saints will play their first three games against the NFC West, including a trip to Seattle in Week 3, before heading to the other side of the country the following week to play Super Bowl contender, Buffalo. The Saints won’t face a division foe until Week 8, and the middle of the schedule is tough.

How will they navigate through, and are we ready for (way too early) predictions? Times-Picayune and Advocate sports columnist Rod Walker is with host Jim Derry on a special Thursday edition of Dattitude Podcast (Ep. 375) presented by Evangeline Securities. Jim’s “Last Word” offers where expectations on Tyler Shough should be by pointing out quarterbacks not drafted in the first round since 2014.