Agreed. The Saints week 1 starters could match up with any team in the league. Sadly, the NFL is more about health and roster management over the marathon of 17 brutal games.
The 2024 Saints were never equipped for the long haul. They were a mesh of talented starters who were able to mask some of the deficiencies of the less talented guys. Once the top guys started to go down - we not only lost their skill but their ability to cover for the less talented guys next to them - not just behind them.