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Moore, Rattler earn first win as Saints roll Giants

Oct 5, 2025 | 3:29 PM

Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

New Orleans, La. – The New Orleans Saints finally got their first win.

New Orleans (1-4) held off the New York Giants 26-14 on the backs of their biggest plays of the season including an 87-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Spencer Rattler to wide receiver Rashid Shaheed and an 86-yard fumble recovery touchdown by safety Jordan Howden. The fumble was forced by defensive tackle Bryan Bresee.

THE STORY

This game was the first win for Kellen Moore as a head coach and Rattler as a quarterback. It’s also the team’s first win since beating the Giants last year in their Week 14 bout. 

The Saints defense turned a corner in this game. Whether that turned corner puts the unit on a new and improved path for the rest of season remains to be seen, but it helped them massively in this game. After surrendering a pair of scores in the Giants’ first two possessions, the defense forced two punts and then five consecutive takeaways.

Most notably, safety Jordan Howden returned a fumble recovery 86 yards for a touchdown and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry came up with interceptions on back-to-back possessions in the fourth quarter. The second-year corner also had a pass breakup in the endzone later in the game.

If the Saints defense can start games that hot, it would help them improve in a hurry.

THE PLAYS

 

The Stats: 

  • The Saints’ 87-yard touchdown completion from Rattler to Shaheed was the longest touchdown completion in the regular season or playoffs for the team since 2018. It was the longest in the regular season since 2016.
  • McKinstry snagged his first career interception in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t enough for him though as he snagged his second on the following drive.
  • This game was the first time New Orleans has forced five or more turnovers since Week 9 of the 2023 season.
  • All five of the Saints’ takeaways happened in consecutive drives.
  • Shaheed is the first Saints player to surpass 100 receiving yards this season.
  • The Saints finished the game with just seven penalties for 43 penalty yards.
  • New Orleans finished 0-3 in the red zone but converted at a 47% rate on third downs to help stay on the field.
  • Blake Grupe was 4-for-6 on field goals bringing his season-long total to 10-for-15.

THE INJURIES

  • Saints safety Justin Reid left the game in the second quarter with a concussion. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
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