Saints are eyeing a special-teams overhaul; hiring Chris Horton could tighten opponent starting field position and reduce return yards. For bettors: expect lower opponent return-yard props and fewer special-teams TDs if Horton brings disciplined coverage — consider betting under on opponent return yards or adjust point-spread expectations slightly if field position improves.
Saints’ special teams under microscope after worst-in-league finish
New Orleans enters the offseason with a glaring need: the kicking game was the NFL’s worst overall. Opponents started drives at an average of the 33.7-yard line (second-worst), coverage units surrendered big returns and the kicking game posted the league’s lowest field-goal percentage. That dysfunction has pushed the Saints to consider a change at special teams coordinator and to re-evaluate their kicking roster.
Candidate spotlight: Chris Horton
One name linked to the vacancy is longtime Ravens special-teams coach Chris Horton. Horton’s units in Baltimore earned praise for coverage discipline and punt placement; he also has local ties. Whether he’s the right fit for New Orleans depends on how much the Saints prioritize reducing opponent starting field position and cleaning up penalties.
Punting and punt-return breakdown
Ravens punter Jordan Stout: 53 punts, 11.3% touchbacks (6th-worst), 45.3% inside the 20 (9th-best), 44.9 net yards per punt (2nd-best) and a Pro Bowl nod. Ravens coverage: faced 48 punts (4th-fewest), 45.4 yards per punt average.
Saints punter Kai Kroeger: 56 punts, 7.1% touchbacks (tied 13th), 32.1% inside the 20 (5th-worst), 37.3 net yards per punt (third-worst); team had multiple punts blocked. Saints coverage: faced 54 punts (10th-fewest), 46.9 yards per punt average, and were one of a dozen teams to allow a punt-return touchdown.
Ravens excelled at limiting punt-return yardage (6.9 yards allowed, 6th-best); Saints were below average (10.7 yards allowed, 20th). Return averages favored Baltimore as well.
Kickoffs and kick returns
Saints kicker Charlie Smyth produced a high touchback rate (48.5%), reducing return opportunities but not erasing coverage issues. Ravens’ kickers forced far fewer touchbacks (one had about a 10.6% touchback rate) and leaned on coverage to limit returns.
Ravens allowed about 25.2 yards per kick return (tied for 8th-best) on many returns; Saints allowed roughly 27.5 yards (8th-worst) on far fewer returns. On the return side, both teams were middling: Saints averaged ~25.2 yards per return (22nd), Ravens ~25.8 (16th).
Kicking accuracy and point-after performance
Ravens: 30-of-34 on field goals (88.2%, tied for 12th) and 44-of-46 PATs (95.7%, ~21st). Saints: 30-of-42 on field goals (71.4%, worst in NFL) but perfect on 28 PATs that they attempted. The Saints also allowed an above-average success rate on opponents’ field goals (allowing 36 of 39, ~92.3%).
Discipline and penalties
Penalty yards on special teams were a clear difference: Baltimore ranked among the better teams (about 102 yards), while New Orleans was in the bottom half (around 155 yards). Undisciplined play and penalties likely compounded field-position problems.
What it means and whether Horton would be an upgrade
A coaching change would target three key weaknesses: field-position management, kickoff/punt coverage discipline, and kicking consistency. Horton’s track record in Baltimore suggests improvements in coverage and placement, but any hire must address the Saints’ kicking accuracy and blocked-kick vulnerability. The team’s midseason kicker shuffle shows the job is far from locked up heading into camp.
Betting implications for punters
If New Orleans upgrades special-teams coaching and adds competition at kicker/punter, expect: - Opponent starting field-position metrics to improve (fewer favorable spots for opponents), which can influence totals and scoring props. - Lower odds for special-teams touchdowns and reduced opponent return-yard props — consider under on opponent return yards or special-teams TD props. - Volatility in kicking props early in camp/training camp as the job is contested; avoid locking long-term kicker-over props until a starter is established.
Next steps for the Saints
The front office must evaluate coordinator candidates, finalize kicking-room decisions and prioritize discipline in coverage units. Special teams are often the difference in tight games; correcting these issues will be essential for New Orleans to climb out of the league’s basement in that phase.
Davante Adams shockingly named offseason cut candidate for Rams
The Saints special teams must get better, and a good coach is available. Comparing Chris Horton's Ravens to their performance is a marked contrast.
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