Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
There is still a lot left to be proven by the New Orleans Saints and their offense. Red zone woes and playmaking consistency are firmly under the microscope for now, but so is the question of the quarterback.
Passer Spencer Rattler has successfully taken the conversation from the number of games he’ll be the starting quarterback to the number of seasons. Head coach Kellen Moore praised Rattler for some of the qualities that have helped to reshape that very talking point.
“I thought his pocket movement was phenomenal throughout the entire game,” Moore said of Rattler during his day-after presser. “(The) first play was a great example of him subtly moving in the pocket, giving ourselves an opportunity to make that play. He had a really good scramble to Alvin on third and three, four, somewhere in that range.”
That leads us to this week’s film study: a quick look at Rattler’s mobility and how it has changed the game around him.
First-and-10: 53-yard completion to wide receiver Chris Olave
Very soon after the snap, the pressure is on by the New England Patriots. Defensive end Harold Landry III appears to win with an inside move on right tackle Taliese Fuaga, meanwhile the Patriots send Carlton Davis III on a rare (for New England at least) corner blitz. The Saints went into this matchup knowing that this would be their first offensive call, but the corner blitz was a different look than they had expected from New England.However, Rattler’s ability to navigate the pocket keeps this one alive.
With a pair of redirections by Fuaga and running back Alvin Kamara, Rattler is able to step into the throwing lane on the boundary side with a clear sightline to his intended receiver, Olave, who is flying down the right side of the field.
Sidenote: one of the most intriguing parts of any play in the NFL are the assignments of the offensive line. Initially, Landry’s inside move looks to beat Fuaga in protection. The way this play unfolds however, giving the inside track to Landry, actually takes him out of the play because of Rattler’s navigation of the space. Was this a win by Fuaga after all? If so, this play should be charted under the “I’ve got them right where I want them” category.
After stepping up, Rattler then is able to uncork a deep pass to Olave, who has won his matchup downfield and is able to bring in the big 53-yard reception.
Olave (top of the screen) wins by being given a clean release off of the line of scrimmage thanks to the cornerback blitzing. He is then one-on-one with the awaiting safety Kyle Dugger. Olave handles that with ease by accelerating and blowing past the safety after selling an inside release, forcing Dugger to go flat-footed and then turning on the jets.
Unfortunately, the Saints had to settle for a field goal, as their woes in opposing territory continued. But the elements that made this big play all have foundational qualities that could lead to more fireworks as the season continues.
53 YARDS TO OLAVE ON THE FIRST PLAY
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/8pu5txbQ3L
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 12, 2025
Third-and-4: 22-yard completion to Kamara
The second play that Moore mentioned was a checkdown to Kamara that went for some big yards after the catch. But what made the play was Rattler’s poise moving around in the pocket and finding the open receiver, Kamara, who will always find the extra yardage.
Rattler begins with a quick drop out of shotgun.
As the defensive linemen twist and stunt, Rattler takes a step toward the outside looking downfield.
As defensive tackle Christian Barmore catches the edge and gets a little too close for comfort to Rattler, the signal caller moves back inside. His eyes go down briefly as if he is ready to run and the Patriots’ front likely smells blood in the water.
Just as he appears to commit to the run, Patriots linebacker Christian Elliss begins to get downhill to try to help make the play. But at the last second, Rattler pulls back up and finds a wide open Kamara over the top of Elliss.
Kamara uncovers because of Elliss’ pursuit of Rattler, and the quarterback puts the ball in place for his running back to turn a would-be sack or short run into a 22-yard gain.
Kamara turns downfield to see nothing but green grass and picks up the requisite four yards for a fresh set of downs and much, much more.
Spencer Rattler DODGING and FINDING Kamara! 👌 pic.twitter.com/NDutiPoSHG
— Saints Happy Hour Podcast (@SaintsHappyHour) October 12, 2025
Things aren’t perfect for the Saints’ offense, which still has a lot getting better left to do. But these plays show the building blocks available for the team to continue to grow and evolve on that side of the ball. They clearly illustrate what has generated the confidence shown by the organization despite a 1-5 start.
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