Saints host New England Patriots in inter-conference matchup

Andrew Lang

The New Orleans Saints host the New England Patriots in the Caesars Superdome in Week 6 at 3:25 p.m. on Oct. 12 with the broadcast on CBS. The Saints and Patriots only have 16 total head-to-head matchups under their belt with New Orleans trailing the series 10-6.

Let's take a deeper look at the Saints'Week 6opponent, the New England Patriots:

2025 NFL WEEK 6: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS vs NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

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Meet your Saints opponent: New England Patriots

Coach:Mike Vrabel

Quarterback:Drake Maye

2024 record:4-13, fourth in AFC East

Most recent regular season matchup:Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023 - Saints 34, Patriots 0

Patriots-Saints series record:Patriots lead 10-6

New England Patriots 2024 season recap:

The Patriots started the season with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, but would lose their next six straight to open the season 1-6. New England made a change a quarterback in Week 6, entrusting the starting role to Drake Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Patriots would pick up two more wins in Week 8 and Week 10, but went into their bye in Week 14 at 3-10. New England would lose three more but would close out the season with a 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills to finish 4-13, fourth in the AFC East, missing the postseason for the third consecutive season.

Deep Dive: New England Patriots roster review

1. Bolstering the offensive line

The Patriots made two big additions to their offensive line room with tackle Morgan Moses signed in free agency from the New York Jets and tackle Will Campbell drafted out of LSU with the fourth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. The veteran Moses has 158 career starts over his 11 NFL seasons while Campbell is coming off a consensus All-American season with the Tigers. The two bookends will look to help keep Drake Maye upright in his sophomore season after the Patriots conceded the fifth most sacks in 2024 with 52.

2. Stefon Diggs added in free agency

Stefon Diggs joins the New England Patriots in free agency after a season with the Houston Texans was ended by an ACL tear. Diggs finished 2024 with 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns before succumbing to injury. The four-time Pro Bowler adds an accomplished target for Maye to work with.

"He's made a lot of plays, played in a lot of big-time games," Maye said. "So, just an awesome voice for the receiver room, for this offense. He's played in some playoff games. He's had some big games. I think once he kind of recovers, and he's getting back out there, I'm looking forward to being able to throw him a few footballs. It's always good having a guy like that on your team."

3. Defensive veterans added

With New England looking to improve on both sides of the ball, the team added several new faces in free agency as well. They signed former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Milton WIlliams fresh off a 5.0 sack campaign with the Super Bowl champions as well as recording 2.0 sacks in Super Bowl LIX. He'll head into his fifth NFL season. They added veteran cornerback Carlton Davis (56 tackles and 11 passes defensed in 13 games with the Detroit Lions in 2024), now heading into his eighth NFL season. New England brought in linebacker Harold Landry III off a 71-tackle and 9.0-sack season with the Tennessee Titans, as he heads into his ninth NFL season. They also brought in linebacker Robert Spillane, who had a career high 158 tackles with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024, tied for third most in the NFL, as he heads into his eighth season.