Saints’ reunion games valued drastically differently by NFL schedule makers

There are two games on the New Orleans Saints schedule this season that feature prominent reunions, but only one mattered to the league’s schedule makers. There could be a third game if you include C.J. Gardner-Johnson returning to town with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, his departure was three years ago, and injuries have kept him from playing the Saints in the previous two years.

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton’s return to New Orleans is obviously a much bigger deal and is being treated as such. The Saints and Broncos face off in Week 7 on “Thursday Night Football.” The only surprise is it isn’t a Monday or Sunday night game. It’s a story that sells itself with star power. It transcends quality of team, to a degree, given the strength of that narrative.

Derek Carr’s revenge game against the Las Vegas Raiders, however, is tucked away at noon in Week 17. It’s just another game. This felt like a Thursday night game. Granted, this isn’t the same Raiders team that benched him in 2022. This game will fade into obscurity and likely be a bigger talking point among Raiders fans. The NFL showed how they valued this game by burying it in a noon slot.

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