NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Saints fans may take some comfort in Sunday's 33-14 loss to the Carolina Panthers: On the team's first Super Bowl run in the 2009 season, the Saints lost to Dallas, Tampa and Carolina, the same teams they lost to this season.
The Saints finished the 2018 regular season 13-3 with Sunday's loss at home, while quarterback Drew Brees and other top players watched from the sidelines. The team had already clinched first place in the NFC, so the outcome of Sunday's game against Carolina didn't matter.
Saints fans will have to wait two weeks to see their team in action again. But they'll be watching the Wild Card playoff games Jan. 5-6 to find out who their beloved team will face in their first playoff game at 3:40 p.m. Jan. 13.
The Saints, as the No. 1 seed in the NFC, will play the lowest winning seed to emerge from the NFC Wild Card round Jan. 5-6. It will be one of three teams, the Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys.
If the Eagles win against the Bears, the Saints will play against the Eagles. If the Bears win, the Saints will play the winner of the Seahawks/Cowboys game.
The NFC second seed Los Angeles Rams will play the highest winning seed to advance from the NFC Wild Card round Jan. 5-6.
As the No. 1 seed, the Saints will play all of their playoff games at home in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The New Orleans Saints earned their first trip to the Super Bowl in the 2009 season and defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17.