Michael Bacigalupi
By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS, La. – The story of the New Orleans Saints’ early season efforts can be summed up with one phrase: “Close, but no cigar.” Despite getting the best performance they have seen from quarterback Spencer Rattler, the Saints fell to 0-2 following a 26-21 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
A short-handed 49ers team, at that. Without quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and for much of the game fullback Kyle Juszczyk, a Mac Jones-led San Francisco offense still gave the Saints’ defense fits.
- San Francisco converted 53% of its third down opportunities going 8/15, at one point being 8/12. Three were converted with 10 or more yards to go.
- The Saints are credited with 11 missed tackles on defense, per Pro Football Reference.
- The New Orleans defense allowed two third downs to be converted by penalty.
All of those miscues overshadowed what was a career-best day for Rattler. His 25/34, 207 passing yard and three passing touchdown performance brought upon career highs in passer rating (118.1), completion percentage (73.5%) and touchdown passes. He also completed 14 consecutive passes at one point, a career high in most consecutive completions.
The Saints are still battling many of the same problems as last season. To move from scrappy contenders to consistent winners, they’ll need steady progress, not a quick fix.
“We’re close,” Rattler said after the game. “These games come down to the wire and (we’ve) got to do what winning teams do. That’s what (head coach Kellen Moore) was telling us. And that’s cleaning up.”
Not doing the things that winning teams do is exactly where the Saints have been over the course of their five-game home losing streak extending back to December of 2024.
Compound the previously mentioned defensive concerns with dropped touchdown passes and slow starts on offense and things start feeling oddly familiar. Even Rattler, coming off of a strong performance, observed that he has some cleaning up to do himself after a missed connection between him and wide receiver Chris Olave early in the game.
“The ball’s got to be out before he even cuts,” Rattler said of the near-touchdown throw. “Which it was just a little too to the left. (I) think I had a little pressure, but we make those throws. You got to make those throws. I can make that throw any day.”
New Orleans has a combined 20 penalties for 134 yards and 24 missed tackles through the first two games. Until those habits are corrected, strong offensive performances are going to be hard pressed to carry the team to wins.
