Up and down and up we go,

Good morning and welcome to the Halloween edition of the Saints Insider newsletter! It's the last day of spooky season, unless that's just what you call this 2023 Saints campaign — and hey, we're not here to argue with you. 

*Rollercoaster sounds*

The highs have been pretty fun for the Saints this year. Handing Bill Belichick one of the worst losses of his storied coaching career? Sign me up! Watching Rashid Shaheed race through the Indianapolis defense like he was driving an Indy car? That's the good stuff right there. 

Yeah, but ... 

Allow columnist Rod Walker to guide you through the dramatic highs and the terrible lows of this weird 2023 Saints team. Let's buckle up and talk about where this team is right now. 

You kiddin' me?

Yeah, we're talkin' about playoffs — not the real deal, but a simulator. 

The New York Times puts out a fancy NFL playoff simulator each season, and despite a big win last week, its model isn't too keen on the Saints chances this season.

On this date

Two years ago, Saints quarterback Jameis Winston tore his ACL in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Saints went on to win the game behind backup quarterback Trevor Siemian to move to 5-2 on the year. 

That was the last time the Saints were at least three games above .500. The Saints went on to lose five straight games after Winston's injury.

News you should know

The Chicago Bears announced they would start undrafted rookie free agent quarterback Tyson Bagent for a third straight game while regular starter Justin Fields recuperates from a thumb injury. 

Yes, that means the Saints will face the Bagent-led Bears this weekend. 

That's all we've got for now. Thanks, as always, for your readership and your support. 

Cheers,

Luke Johnson