The 2016 season was the New Orleans Saints' 50th in the National Football League (NFL), their 41st playing home games at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and their 10th under head coach Sean Payton.

The Saints matched their 7–9 record from 2014 and 2015, and missed the playoffs for the third year in a row in a stretch plagued by poor defensive play.

This came 10 years after the Chargers released Brees after the Saints' previous regular season meetings with the Chargers were home games for the Saints, and including a 2008 meeting at Wembley Stadium in London, a game which New Orleans was designated as the home team.

Instead of kicking an extra point, Raiders coach Jack Del Rio ordered a two-point conversion, which quarterback Derek Carr successfully converted with a pass to receiver Michael Crabtree.

[3] The Saints defense was criticized for its performance, as it gave up 210 yards and 22 points in the fourth quarter.

For the first time in 11 years, Drew Brees returned to San Diego to face his former team, the Chargers, where he began his NFL career.

The Saints were able to defeat the Rams for the first time since the 2010 season, putting up a season-high 555 yards.

Some would see the Saints running up the score as a measure of revenge against their former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, the main responsible for Bountygate, who now held that position with the Rams.

To celebrate 50 seasons in the NFL, the Saints wore special 1967–75 throwback uniforms.