The New Orleans Saints, for the second straight year and the third time in their past four seasons, failed to make the playoffs in 2015. That led to plenty of speculation that the team might move on from head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees, but they'll both return to lead the Saints in 2016.In fact, Payton signed a five-year contract extension in March, a firm vote of confidence in him from the organization.Outside of that move, the Saints have been fairly quiet this offseason, signing tight end Coby Fleener, kicker Josh Scobee and linebackersJames Laurinaitis, Nate Stupar and Craig Robertsonwhile releasing long-time wide receiver Marques Colston and Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans.Of course, after getting burned on several bad contracts the past few offseasons, a quiet free-agency period was preferable to more misguided spending for New Orleans.While the Saints haven't been good since they last made the postseason, they haven't been terrible, either, going 7-9 in each of the last two years. They have playmakers on offense in Brandin Cooks and running back Mark Ingram, while the team will be hoping Fleener can exceed the sort of numbers Benjamin Watson posted last year at tight end (74 receptions for 825 yards and six touchdowns).Of course, it's rarely the offense that's the issue for the Saints. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allenwho assumed the position in November 2015 after Rob Ryan was firedwill have a tall task on his hands, trying to improve a unit that finished 31st in yards allowed and 32nd in points given up per game.If the Saints don't improve defensively, another 7-9 season is the best-case scenario. Here's a look at their schedule, courtesy of NFL.com.ScheduleAnalysisThe Saints have an interesting schedule. Two games against the Carolina Panthers is tricky enough, and the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers won't be pushovers this season.But the Saints play some heavy hitters in 2016, per John Breech of CBSSports.com. They are lucky to get the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos at home. The Los Angeles Rams and Oakland Raiders won't be easy games on the home schedule, either.They are less lucky to get Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants,Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers on the road.Because the Saints have six games against playoff teams from a year ago and nine games against teams with the same or better record, the key to reaching the postseason may come down to the seven games they have against teams that went 6-10 or worse in 2015.If the Saints play well against the weaker portion of their schedule, they could threaten for a wild-card spot.Pivotal MatchupsThe NFC South had a reputation as one of football's least predictable divisions until Cam Newton and the Panthers won three straight titles between 2013 and 2015. They'll be favored to make it four years in a row, so if the Saints have any ideas about earning an NFC South title in 2016, they'll need to start by knocking off the Panthers.Matchups against the Falcons and Bucs won't be easy either, however.As noted above, the Saints must feast on the weaker teams on the schedule. But stealing a home win against Carolina and playing well against the Falcons and Bucs will give the team a shot at an NFC South title.Newton and the Panthers will be heavy favorites to win the division, of course, especially with wideout Kelvin Benjamin returning. But splitting with the Panthers and winning at least three of four from the Falcons and Bucs will be key for the Saints if they have any hopes at an AFC South title and playoff berth.You can follow Timothy Rapp onTwitter.
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