By Ross Jackson
It took a couple of drives, but the New Orleans Saints offense finally found the success it has been seeking through five preseason series so far. Granted, it is an injured offense. One without starting left tackle Taliese Fuaga, running back Alvin Kamara and speedy deep threat Rashid Shaheed. But either way, there was not a lot of confidence to be had about the team’s new-look offense early on against the San Francisco 49ers.
That all changed when quarterback Derek Carr and the New Orleans offense marched 95 yards over a 16-play drive that ended in a rushing touchdown by do-it-all weapon Taysom Hill.
During the drive, the team ran the football exceptionally well. A pair of big runs by running back Jamaal Williams, a would-be touchdown by fellow back Jordan Mims and then Hill’s dive run from the fullback spot put the points on the board. The protection up front also held up well for the most part.
Carr also stood tall in the pocket on one of the team’s two fourth-down conversions in the drive. Despite pressure off the left side, the veteran passer delivered a well-timed strike to rookie wide receiver Bub Means. He would finish the first half 7-for-9 passing for 47 yards.
After the 49ers answered with a field goal drive themselves, the Saints turned their offense over to rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler and the second-team offense. Unfortunately, Rattler’s first series was cut short when a sack-fumble led to the Niners drilling another field goal after the defense held up in an otherwise deep red zone possession.
With just over two minutes left in the first half, Rattler re-assumed his role under center. After a nice run by running back James Robinson and a completion by Rattler to the veteran back, the team went into the two-minute warning with a fresh set of downs and some good momentum.
However, the drive was quickly derailed after a bad snap by offensive lineman Shane Lemieux, who typically does not play center, forced the rookie passer to dive on the football and burn an advantageous second down, leading to a late punt.
The Saints defense then reprised its years-long issue of struggling to make plays at opposing quarterbacks. San Francisco quarterback Joshua Dobbs made it look like Week 10 of the 2023 NFL season all over again, scrambling for big yards and extending plays for a long drive. The defense continued to reel against Dobbs, unable to tackle him on a keeper. He flipped his way into the endzone after eluding second-year safety Jordan Howden.
The Saints defense would love for Dobbs’s day to be over in the second half. Dealing with mobile quarterbacks continues to be a dire need for the team’s depth. The hope for New Orleans will be that their starters will not have the same issues.
The team did suffer a couple of injuries during the first half.
Rookie cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry went to the locker room with a right leg injury. The broadcast reported that the injury was not expected to be serious soon after McKinstry went left the field. At a later point, starting safety Tyrann Mathieu also visited the medical tent but quickly rejoined the team and was in good spirits per NOLA.com’s Luke Johnson.
The Saints will receive the ball to start the second half tailing 7-13 after halftime.
