| 2014 New Orleans Saints season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Tom Benson |
| General manager | Mickey Loomis |
| Head coach | Sean Payton |
| Offensive coordinator | Pete Carmichael Jr. |
| Defensive coordinator | Rob Ryan |
| Home stadium | Mercedes-Benz Superdome |
| Results | |
| Record | 7–9 |
| Division place | 2ndNFC South |
| Playoffs | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | |
| Uniform | |
The2014 season was theNew Orleans Saints' 48th in theNational Football League (NFL), their 39th playing home games at theMercedes-Benz Superdome and their eighth underhead coachSean Payton.
After they lost to theAtlanta Falcons in Week 16, the Saints were officially eliminated from postseason contention for the first time since2012.[1]
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | Brandin Cooks | Wide receiver | Oregon State |
| 2 | 58 | Stanley Jean-Baptiste | Cornerback | Nebraska |
| 3 | None — see draft trades below | |||
| 4 | 126 | Khairi Fortt | Inside linebacker | California |
| 5 | 167 | Vinnie Sunseri | Safety | Alabama |
| 5 | 169 | Ronald Powell | Outside linebacker | Florida |
| 6 | 202 | Tavon Rooks | Offensive tackle | Kansas State |
| 7 | None — see draft trades below | |||
Draft trades
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
In March 2014, the Saints announced an agreement withThe Greenbrier resort to hold the team's training camp at the hotel, inWhite Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, for three years beginning with 2014. The hotel has committed to build three football fields and other facilities for the Saints, at an estimated cost of $20–25 million, adjacent to its sports medicine facilities. The project will be partially subsidized by tax breaks recently approved by thestate legislature. The relationship between the hotel and the Saints reportedly grew out of a visit by Saints head coachSean Payton to the 2013Greenbrier Classic golf tournament to play in itspro-am competition and then to serve ascaddie for his friend,PGA Tour golferRyan Palmer.[2]
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 8 | atSt. Louis Rams | W 26–24 | 1–0 | Edward Jones Dome | Recap |
| 2 | August 15 | Tennessee Titans | W 31–24 | 2–0 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
| 3 | August 23 | atIndianapolis Colts | W 23–17 | 3–0 | Lucas Oil Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | August 28 | Baltimore Ravens | L 13–22 | 3–1 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 7 | atAtlanta Falcons | L 34–37(OT) | 0–1 | Georgia Dome | Recap |
| 2 | September 14 | atCleveland Browns | L 24–26 | 0–2 | FirstEnergy Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | September 21 | Minnesota Vikings | W 20–9 | 1–2 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
| 4 | September 28 | atDallas Cowboys | L 17–38 | 1–3 | AT&T Stadium | Recap |
| 5 | October 5 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 37–31(OT) | 2–3 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
| 6 | Bye | |||||
| 7 | October 19 | atDetroit Lions | L 23–24 | 2–4 | Ford Field | Recap |
| 8 | October 26 | Green Bay Packers | W 44–23 | 3–4 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
| 9 | October 30 | atCarolina Panthers | W 28–10 | 4–4 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
| 10 | November 9 | San Francisco 49ers | L 24–27(OT) | 4–5 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
| 11 | November 16 | Cincinnati Bengals | L 10–27 | 4–6 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
| 12 | November 24 | Baltimore Ravens | L 27–34 | 4–7 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
| 13 | November 30 | atPittsburgh Steelers | W 35–32 | 5–7 | Heinz Field | Recap |
| 14 | December 7 | Carolina Panthers | L 10–41 | 5–8 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
| 15 | December 15 | atChicago Bears | W 31–15 | 6–8 | Soldier Field | Recap |
| 16 | December 21 | Atlanta Falcons | L 14–30 | 6–9 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
| 17 | December 28 | atTampa Bay Buccaneers | W 23–20 | 7–9 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap |
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 6 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 34 |
| Falcons | 0 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 37 |
atGeorgia Dome,Atlanta, Georgia
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 0 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
| Browns | 10 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 26 |
atFirstEnergy Stadium,Cleveland, Ohio
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
This was the Browns' first home opener win since 2004, and also markedJohnny Manziel's NFL debut. The defense, primarily by rotating DB's Tashaun Gipson,Buster Skrine, rookie Justin Gilbert andJoe Haden, were able to neutralize TE Jimmy Graham and QB Drew Brees for almost the entire first half. Rookie Terrence West, who had 2500+ all-purpose yards at Division II-school Towson Univ., ran for almost 70 yards and one touchdown. Billy Cundiff hit the game-winning FG as time expired.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| Saints | 13 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
atMercedes-Benz Superdome,New Orleans, Louisiana
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
After initially stating that Adrian Peterson would return to the active roster for their Week 3 game at New Orleans, the Vikings later placed the running back on the inactive list indefinitely, pending the outcome of the court case against him. Despite coming into the game at 0–2, the Saints started well, scoring two touchdowns on their first two drives, although DEEverson Griffen was able to block the extra point attempt on the second. The Vikings responded to going 13–0 down with two field goals from 25 and 30 yards respectively, but an injury to Matt Cassel meant a debut for rookie QBTeddy Bridgewater.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 0 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 17 |
| Cowboys | 7 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
atAT&T Stadium,Arlington, Texas
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | 0 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 31 |
| Saints | 6 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 37 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 0 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
| Lions | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 24 |
atFord Field,Detroit, Michigan
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | 10 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 23 |
| Saints | 10 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 44 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
This would be only the third game in NFL history to not have a single punt.[3] The Saints also beat the Packers for the first time since the 2008 season.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Panthers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
atBank of America Stadium,Charlotte, North Carolina
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49ers | 14 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 27 |
| Saints | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With 5 seconds left in regulation, Drew Brees passed a potential game winning pass to Jimmy Graham until he was flagged with offensive interference, which sent the game into overtime where San Francisco won with a field goal after recovering a fumble by Brees. With the loss, the Saints dropped their record to 4-5.
This would snap an 11-game winning streak for Saints when playing at home.[4]
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
| Saints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravens | 7 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 34 |
| Saints | 7 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 27 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 0 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 35 |
| Steelers | 3 | 3 | 7 | 19 | 32 |
atHeinz Field,Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Pittsburgh Steelers was the only team the Saints were able to beat in the AFC North.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | 17 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 41 |
| Saints | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 0 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
| Bears | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 15 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 3 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 30 |
| Saints | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With this loss, the Saints were eliminated from playoff contention.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 0 | 7 | 0 | 16 | 23 |
| Buccaneers | 3 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
atRaymond James Stadium,Tampa, Florida
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| NFC South | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
| (4)Carolina Panthers | 7 | 8 | 1 | .469 | 4–2 | 6–6 | 339 | 374 | W4 |
| New Orleans Saints | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 6–6 | 401 | 424 | W1 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 5–1 | 6–6 | 381 | 417 | L1 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 0–6 | 1–11 | 277 | 410 | L6 |
| # | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division leaders | |||||||||||
| 1[a] | Seattle Seahawks | West | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .525 | .513 | W6 |
| 2[a] | Green Bay Packers | North | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .482 | .440 | W2 |
| 3[a] | Dallas Cowboys | East | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .445 | .422 | W4 |
| 4 | Carolina Panthers | South | 7 | 8 | 1 | .469 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .490 | .357 | W4 |
| Wild Cards | |||||||||||
| 5[b] | Arizona Cardinals | West | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 3–3 | 8–4 | .523 | .477 | L2 |
| 6[b] | Detroit Lions | North | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .471 | .392 | L1 |
| Did not qualify for the postseason | |||||||||||
| 7 | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .490 | .416 | W1 |
| 8 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 7–5 | .527 | .508 | W1 |
| 9[c] | New Orleans Saints | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .486 | .415 | W1 |
| 10[c] | Minnesota Vikings | North | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 1–5 | 6–6 | .475 | .308 | W1 |
| 11[d] | New York Giants | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .512 | .323 | L1 |
| 12[d] | Atlanta Falcons | South | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 5–1 | 6–6 | .482 | .380 | L1 |
| 13[d] | St. Louis Rams | West | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .531 | .427 | L3 |
| 14 | Chicago Bears | North | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .529 | .338 | L5 |
| 15 | Washington Redskins | East | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 2–4 | 2–10 | .496 | .422 | L1 |
| 16 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 0–6 | 1–11 | .486 | .469 | L6 |
| Tiebreakers[e] | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||