The 2012 season was the New Orleans Saints' 46th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 37th playing home games at the Superdome. The Saints head coach was Sean Payton, but he was suspended by the NFL for the entire season as part of the punishment for the team's bounty scandal. On April 12, 2012, linebackers coach Joe Vitt was named interim head coach to replace Payton while he was suspended. On August 22, 2012, it was announced that Aaron Kromer would take over while Vitt himself served a six-game suspension to start the regular season. The Saints attempted to make history as the first host team to play the Super Bowl on their own home field, but they were eliminated from post-season contention for the first time since 2008 in Week 16. The Saints’ defense struggled all season and began a long stretch of defensive futility that began to hold the team back from playoff contention. They set an NFL record for most yards given up by a defense, 7,042 yards, surpassing the 1981 Baltimore Colts record of 6,793 yards.
Personnel changes
After his contract expired, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was hired by the St. Louis Rams to the same position on January 16, 2012. Former Rams' head coach Steve Spagnuolo replaced Williams. Williams was later handed an indefinite suspension from the NFL for his role in the bounty scandal.
Roster changes
Signings All signings were to active roster, except where otherwise noted. Pos. Player Date NotesWRAndy TannerJanuary 18, 2012CBKamaal McIlwainJanuary 18, 2012Released August 27, 2012.OTPhil TrautweinJanuary 18, 2012Released May 15, 2012OGNick HowellJanuary 18, 2012Released May 15, 2012.QBSean CanfieldJanuary 18, 2012CBJosh VictorianJanuary 18, 2012Released May 15, 2012CBCord ParksJanuary 18, 2012Released July 31, 2012. Re-signed August 2, 2012. Released August 27, 2012.OTFenuki TupouJanuary 18, 2012Placed on injured reserve August 20, 2012.RBChris TaylorJanuary 18, 2012Released June 8, 2012DTMitch KingJanuary 18, 2012DTSwanson MillerJanuary 19, 2012Released August 27, 2012.OGBen GrubbsMarch 15, 2012From the Baltimore RavensDTBrodrick BunkleyMarch 21, 2012From the Denver BroncosLBChris ChamberlainMarch 23, 2012From the St. Louis Rams. Placed on injured reserve August 20, 2012.LBCurtis LoftonMarch 24, 2012From the Atlanta FalconsLBDavid HawthorneApril 3, 2012From the Seattle SeahawksWRCourtney RobyApril 16, 2012Re-signedCBJabari GreerApril 20, 2012Re-signedLBJonathan CasillasApril 24, 2012Re-signedKJohn KasayApril 26, 2012Re-signedDTRemi AyodeleMay 7, 2012Released August 27, 2012.CBMarquis JohnsonMay 11, 2012From the St. Louis RamsOTHutch EckersonMay 14, 2012Released August 27, 2012.LBLawrence WilsonMay 15, 2012CBElbert MackJune 5, 2012From the Tampa Bay BuccaneersQBLuke McCownJune 7, 2012From the Jacksonville Jaguars. Released August 27, 2012.QBDrew BreesJuly 13, 2012Re-signedTEDerek SchoumanJuly 24, 2012DEAlex DanielsJuly 31, 2012LBRamon HumberAugust 6, 2012Re-signedOGPaul FenaroliAugust 11, 2012Released August 27, 2012.TEDaniel GrahamAugust 11, 2012WRGreg CamarilloAugust 20, 2012LBBarrett RuudAugust 20, 2012From the Seattle Seahawks
Draft
The Saints did not have a first- or second-round selection.
NOTES The team traded its 2012 first-round selection and a 2011 second-round selection to the New England Patriots in exchange for the Patriots' 2011 first-round selection. The team forfeited their second-round selections in 2012 and 2013 as part of the punishment for the team's bounty scandal. The team swapped picks in the sixth round with the Miami Dolphins as part of the Reggie Bush trade.
Undrafted free agents All undrafted free agents were signed just after the 2012 NFL draft concluded on April 28.
Position Player College Notes LB Kadarron Anderson Furman Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp WR Malcolm Beyah Middle Tennessee State Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released June 13, 2012. DE Braylon Broughton TCU Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp TE Jake Byrne Wisconsin Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released August 27, 2012. RB Travaris Cadet Appalachian State Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp DB A.J. Davis Jacksonville State Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Placed on injured reserve August 11, 2012. Released August 18, 2012. C Brian Folkerts Washburn Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released August 27, 2012. WR Chris Givens Miami (OH) Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Placed on injured reserve August 2, 2012. S Jose Gumbs Monmouth Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp WR Kevin Hardy The Citadel Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released July 24, 2012. Re-signed August 6, 2012. Released August 27, 2012. OT Dan Hoch Missouri Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released May 15, 2012. LB Stephen Johnson Temple Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released May 15, 2012. S Jerico Nelson Arkansas Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp RS Laron Scott Georgia Southern Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Releases August 6, 2012. OT Aderious Simmons Arizona State Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp LB Aaron Tevis Boise State Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released August 27, 2012. S Johnny Thomas Oklahoma State Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp. Released August 27, 2012. DE/DT Tyrunn Walker Tulsa Added to the team roster on April 30, will participate in rookie mini-camp OG DeOn'tae Pannell Penn State Added to the team roster on May 15 after participating in rookie mini-camp DB Nick Hixson Hillsdale Added to the team roster on May 15 after participating in rookie mini-camp. Released June 8, 2012. Re-signed August 11, 2012. OG Scott Winnewisser California (PA) Signed May 29, 2012. Placed on injured reserve August 6, 2012. RB Joe Banyard UTEP Signed June 7, 2012. WR Derek Moye Penn State Claimed off waivers from the Miami Dolphins on June 13, 2012. Released August 27, 2012. LB Donavan Robinson Jackson State Signed June 22, 2012. Released August 27, 2012. WR Marques Clark Henderson State Signed July 24, 2012. Released August 27, 2012.
Staff
Final roster
Schedule
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap HOF August 5 vs. Arizona Cardinals W 17–10 1–0 Fawcett Stadium Recap 1 August 9 at New England Patriots L 6–7 1–1 Gillette Stadium Recap 2 August 17 Jacksonville Jaguars L 24–27 1–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap 3 August 25 Houston Texans W 34–27 2–2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap 4 August 30 at Tennessee Titans L 6–10 2–3 LP Field Recap
Regular season Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 9 Washington Redskins L 32–40 0–1 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap 2 September 16 at Carolina Panthers L 27–35 0–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap 3 September 23 Kansas City Chiefs L 24–27 0–3 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap 4 September 30 at Green Bay Packers L 27–28 0–4 Lambeau Field Recap 5 October 7 San Diego Chargers W 31–24 1–4 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap 6 Bye 7 October 21 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 35–28 2–4 Raymond James Stadium Recap 8 October 28 at Denver Broncos L 14–34 2–5 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap 9 Philadelphia Eagles W 28–13 3–5 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap 10 November 11 Atlanta Falcons W 31–27 4–5 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap 11 November 18 at Oakland Raiders W 38–17 5–5 O.co Coliseum Recap 12 November 25 San Francisco 49ers L 21–31 5–6 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap 13 at Atlanta Falcons L 13–23 5–7 Georgia Dome Recap 14 December 9 at New York Giants L 27–52 5–8 MetLife Stadium Recap 15 December 16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 41–0 6–8 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap 16 December 23 at Dallas Cowboys W 34–31 7–8 Cowboys Stadium Recap 17 December 30 Carolina Panthers L 38–44 7–9 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Washington Redskins
With the loss, the Saints started their season 0–1.
Week 2: at Carolina Panthers
With the loss, the Saints fell to 0–2.
Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
With the close loss, the Saints fell to 0–3.
Week 4: at Green Bay Packers
With the loss, the Saints faced their first 0–4 start since 2007.
Week 5: vs. San Diego Chargers
Drew Brees broke Johnny Unitas' record of consecutive games with a touchdown in the first quarter. The record touchdown was witnessed by Unitas' son Joe. Head coach Sean Payton, interim head coach Joe Vitt and general managerMickey Loomis were granted permission to attend the game, despite their suspensions. Brees specifically requested for the three to be in attendance at the Superdome. With the surprising win, the Saints go into their bye week at 1–4.
Week 7: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With the win, the Saints improved to 2–4. Also, QB Drew Brees increased his number of consecutive games with a touchdown pass to 49.
Week 8: at Denver Broncos
With the loss, the Saints fell to 2–5. However, despite the loss, QB Drew Brees increased his record of consecutive games with a touchdown pass to 50.
Week 9: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
With the win, the Saints improved to 3–5. Also, QB Drew Brees increased his streak of games with at least one passing touchdown to 51.
Week 10: vs. Atlanta Falcons
After their huge win over the Eagles, the Saints stayed home for a game against their heated rival Falcons. Sitting at 3–5, the Falcons came into this game at 8–0. The Saints surprisingly won their 4th-straight game against the Falcons and improved their record to 4–5 while the Falcons dropped to 8–1. Drew Brees brought his total of games with a passing touchdown to 52.
Week 11: at Oakland Raiders
After 2 straight dominant home wins, the Saints traveled to Oakland to take on the Raiders. The Saints again dominated this game after the Raiders took the first points of the game. The Saints would win and improve to 5–5 on the season keeping their playoff hopes alive. Also Drew Brees brought his streak of at least 1 passing touchdown in a single game to 53.
Week 12: vs. San Francisco 49ers
The loss dropped the team to 5–6, but Brees's record of games with at least 1 passing touchdown stood at 54. This loss was brought up by the ejection of nose tackle Brodrick Bunkley.
Week 13: at Atlanta Falcons
After the tough home loss to the Niners, the Saints traveled to take on the Falcons in a TNF matchup. The Saints' 4-game winning streak against the Falcons would be snapped as the team dropped to 5–7. Also, QB Drew Brees's streak of consecutive games with at least 1 passing touchdown would come to an end as he threw a career-high 5 interceptions in one game on the night. Regardless, his total passing touchdowns at this point was 31 bringing him his 5th straight season with 30+ passing touchdowns.
Week 14: at New York Giants The Saints were dominated by the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. They fell to 5-8 with the loss.
Week 15: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers With the win, the Saints improved to 6–8 and swept the Buccaneers for the first time since 2006 and posted their first shutout win since 1995 to the New York Jets 12–0. The Saints did not post another shutout until 2021, when they beat the Buccaneers 9-0. This is also the Saints' largest margin of victory over the Buccaneers in franchise history.
Week 16: at Dallas Cowboys