The New Orleans Saints host the Cleveland Browns this afternoon in the second game of the 2018 season for both teams. The Browns surprised some by tying their division rival Marshon Lattimore Saint Jersey , the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the season opener by a 21-21 score. It was their first non-loss since December 24, 2016, ending a streak of 17 consecutive losses. (Well, sort of). New Orleans had perhaps the more surprising result of the opening weekend, getting upset at home by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a 48-40 score. This will be the 18th meeting between the two franchises, with the Browns holding a 13-4 advantage all-time, and an 8-2 record in games played in New Orleans. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images In their last meeting, a week two game during the 2014 season played in Cleveland, the Saints lost, 26-24, on a last second field goal that would wind up being a microcosm of their disappointing year. Cleveland and New Orleans first met during the Saints inaugural season of 1967. On October 1, 1967, the Browns defeated the Saints by a score of 42-7 in Tulane stadium. The game would mark the largest margin of victory by either team in the series, along with the most points scored by the winning team, and the least amount of points scored by the loser. The two teams were actually in the same division together for one year in 1968, the NFL's Capitol Division. That year, the Browns defeated the Saints in the season opener Womens Michael Thomas Jersey , a 24-10 win in New Orleans, and won the rematch later that year in Cleveland, 35-14. Cleveland won the first eight meetings between the two franchises, with the Saints not emerging victorious until a 16-14 win in Cleveland on October 28 of the 1984 season. That was the first of three straight victories by New Orleans in the series, including their first home win against Cleveland, on opening day of the strike-shortened 1987 season by a score of 28-21. The Browns do hold a slight edge in games played in the Superdome (4-2), site of today's game, but New Orleans hasn't beaten Cleveland from the confines of home since a 25-20 win on October 14 of the 1990 season. One of the most embarrassing moments in Saints franchise history took place on October 31, 1999. The Browns, who had been inactive as a franchise since 1995, re-entered the NFL as an expansion team in the ‘99 season. After beginning their first year back 0-7, they came into the Superdome on Halloween and defeated the Saints 21-16 on a 56-yd. Hail Mary touchdown pass from quarterback Tim Couch to wide receiver Kevin Johnson on the final play of the game. The last meeting in the Superdome between these two took place on October 24, 2010. The Browns won that match up, 30-17, on the strength of 4 New Orleans turnovers, including two interceptions of Drew Brees that they returned for touchdowns. Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesThe first regular season game of the Drew Brees/Sean Payton era was in Cleveland against the Browns on September 10, 2006. The Saints won that game, 19-14 Womens Drew Brees Jersey , a game that helped springboard them to a playoff berth less than one year after the team, and the entire Gulf Coast region, was thrown into disarray by the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. Despite the Browns' dominance over New Orleans in this series, the games are normally very closely played contests. Ten of the last thirteen games played between the two have been decided by seven points or less, and the average score of the six games played in the Superdome is Cleveland 23.3 compared to New Orleans 19.5. Photo by: Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesGregg Williams, currently the Browns defensive coordinator, served in that same capacity with the Saints and Sean Payton from 2009-12. The two coaches split during the "Bountygate" scandal, causing both Payton and Williams to be suspended for the entire year, and a reported rift to begin between the two (something both men have always denied). When Williams was defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams in 2016, Payton was accused by some of running up the score in a 49-21 New Orleans win, where the Saints coach was incredibly demonstrative along the sideline. Regardless of the relationship between the two, it is undeniable that each coach knows the other's system and tendencies. The Saints continue to be without the services of Pro Bowl running back Mark Ingram, who is serving a four game league suspension, but have one of the league's most productive passing games. The Browns, who have won just 4 of their last 45 games, will be without the services of wideout Josh Gordon, along with promising defenders Emmanuel Ogbah and Christian Kirksey in this one. New Orleans was viewed coming into the year as having one of the league's most balanced rosters. The pride of a defense that showed great improvement last season is stung after such a poor showing against Tampa Bay, something that the team's leaders vowed would not happen again. If the Saints are truly a championship contender Michael Thomas Jersey White , then this is almost a must-win situation for them at home. Saints 34Browns 21 We have reached the end of the 2018 NFL Regular Season and we take a look at all of the matchups in Week 17 as the Saints begin to prepare for the playoffs!"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections InterviewsNew Orleans Saints SatireWho Dat HistoryCanal Street Chronicles TutorialNFL Picks Week 17: As One Journey Ends, Another BeginsNew,98commentsWe have reached the end of the 2018 NFL Regular Season and we take a look at all of the matchups in Week 17 as the Saints begin to prepare for the playoffs!ByWallace Delery@WallaceDeleryDec 28, 2018, 11:00am CSTShareTweetShareShareNFL Picks Week 17: As One Journey Ends, Another BeginsBob Donnan-USA TODAY SportsAfter sixteen weeks, the 2018 NFL Regular Season comes to a close, and thankfully the New Orleans Saints have clinched the top seed in the NFC and gained homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.They enter this final week with a second meeting against the Carolina Panthers.This leaves little reason for the Saints to give much time to many of their starters, making this little more than an exhibition game.Regardless of who plays, it would be nice to see the Saints secure a franchise-best 14-2 record!Now let’s take a look at the Saints’ regular season finale as well as all of the pivotal matchups in the final week of the 2018 NFL Season.Last week I went 14-2I told you so: Seahawks over Chiefs!What do I know: Dolphins over Jaguars?***WEEK 17Sunday, December 30th - Early GamesDolphins(7-8) at Bills(5-10)Buffalo’s defense gets the job done at home against Miami.Buffalo wins 23-17.Pick: Bills***Falcons(6-9) at Buccaneers(5-10)With this win at Tampa, Atlanta’s path to 7-9 mediocrity is complete.Atlanta wins 24-23.Pick: Falcons***Cowboys(9-6) at Giants(5-10)Even with starters resting, Dallas will have no problem beating the Giants here.Dallas wins 23-7.Pick: Cowboys***Jets(4-11) at Patriots(10-5)Playoff Scenario: A Patriots win coupled with losses by the Chiefs and Chargers will clinch the first seed in the AFC and homefield advantage.A Patriots win outright will clinch the second seed in the AFC and a first-round bye. A big performance by the New England defense will be the story in this one.New England wins 25-12.Pick: Patriots***Jaguars(5-10) at Texans(10-5)Houston will have no problem dispatching of Jacksonville in this one, making the Texans the AFC South Champions.Houston wins 29-7.Pick: Texans***Lions(5-10) at Packers(6-8-1)Green Bay is not likely to risk Aaron Rodgers with nothing on the line, leaving this as an easy win for Detroit.Detroit wins 32-17.Pick: Lions***Panthers(6-9) at Saints(13-2)He may not start from the first series, but Teddy Bridgewater will almost certainly be the quarterback for the Saints in this one, allowing Drew Brees extra rest going into the playoffs.It will be interesting seeing Teddy actually getting some playing time for the Saints.He will likely be rusty early on, but will have a good game in his first real time under center in New Orleans.Down to their third string quarterback https://www.thesaintslockerroom.com/authentic-tre_quan-smith-jersey , Carolina will find it difficult to get anything going at all in this one.The Saints may have little to play for, but they’ll be determined to get this win over a team they truly dislike.The Saints will complete their second-consecutive season sweep of the Panthers by winning their fifth consecutive game over their division rivals.Saints win 20-6.Pick: Saints***Sunday, December 30th - Late GamesEagles(8-7) at Redskins(7-8)Playoff Scenario: An Eagles win coupled with a Vikings loss will clinch a Wild Card spot.Fighting for their playoff lives, Philly will be too much for Washington to handle.Philadelphia wins 31-18.Pick: Eagles***Chargers(11-4) at Broncos(6-9) Playoff Scenario: A Chargers win coupled with a Chiefs loss will clinch the first seed in the AFC and homefield advantage.Los Angeles avenges their surprising home loss to the Broncos by picking up this win in Denver.Los Angeles wins 22-16.Pick: Chargers***Raiders(4-11) at Chiefs(11-4)Playoff Scenario: A Chiefs win will clinch the first seed in the AFC and homefield advantage.The Raiders will keep this one interesting with their passing game, but Kansas City will ultimately be too much for them to handle.Kansas City wins 32-26.Pick: Chiefs***Bears(11-4) at Vikings(8-6-1) - Game of the WeekPlayoff Scenario: A Bears win coupled with a Rams loss will clinch the second seed in the NFC and a first-round bye.A Vikings win or an Eagles loss will clinch a Wild Card spot.Minnesota’s defense will take advantage of some key turnovers, leading them to a surprising upset of Chicago, thanks to their desperation to reach the playoffs and having this game at home.Minnesota wins 23-20.Pick: Vikings***Browns(7-7-1) at Ravens(9-6)Playoff Scenario: A Ravens win or a Steelers loss will clinch a Wild Card spot.Baltimore’s defense will be too much for Cleveland in this matchup, making the Ravens the AFC North Champions.Baltimore wins 20-12.Pick: Ravens***49ers(4-11) at Rams(12-3)Playoff Scenario: A Rams win clinches the second seed in the NFC and a first-round bye.Los Angeles’ offense will continue to hit their stride against San Francisco.Los Angeles wins 31-13.Pick: Rams***Bengals(6-9) at Steelers(8-6-1)Playoff Scenario: A Steelers win coupled with a Ravens loss will clinch a Wild Card spot.Pittsburgh will be desperate to keep their playoff hopes alive, while also watching the scoreboard for a Baltimore loss.Pittsburgh wins 27-17.Pick: Steelers***Cardinals(3-12) at Seahawks(9-6) Thanks to a solid defensive performance, Arizona will keep this game closer than many would imagine, but Seattle will still get this win at home.Seattle wins 23-19.Pick: Seahawks***Sunday Night FootballColts(9-6) at Titans(9-6) Playoff Scenario: The winner of this game will clinch a Wild Card spot.Andrew Luck will lead Indy to victory in this de-facto playoff game in Tennessee.Indianapolis wins 24-21.Pick: Colts***There you have it, the final week of the 2018 NFL regular season. Here’s to the Saints getting as much rest as possible for their starters!Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below!