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.

[1] 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.

[2] 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.

After his contract expired, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was hired by the St. Louis Rams to the same position on January 16, 2012.

† – suspended for the entire 2012 season (see New Orleans Saints bounty scandal) Special teams coaches Strength and conditioning

Drew Brees broke Johnny Unitas' record of consecutive games with a touchdown in the first quarter.

After their huge win over the Eagles, the Saints stayed home for a game against their heated rival Falcons.

The loss dropped the team to 5–6, but Brees's record of games with at least 1 passing touchdown stood at 54.

After the tough home loss to the Niners, the Saints traveled to take on the Falcons in a TNF matchup.

However, the Saints were eliminated from postseason contention, thus rendering them unable to play Super Bowl XLVII on their own home turf.