Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – It was a dreadful trip to the West Coast for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday as they fell hard to the Los Angeles Rams by a score of 34-10. For the third time this season, the Saints have fallen to an opponent by a deficit of 20 or more points. The debut of rookie quarterback Tyler Shough will be overshadowed by a performance that fell below the already-low expectations going in.
The Story
Shough’s first career start could have provided a sense of positivity for the team’s future, but instead just highlighted that the Saints have an increasingly and concerningly long list of improvements to make before contending again in the NFL.
From run defense (155 rushing yards allowed) to passing defense (75% of passes against completed), the team struggled to find any answers to stop the Rams’ offense. Meanwhile, on offense, it’s now the fifth-consecutive game without eclipsing 100 yards on the ground.
Overall, Shough’s performance was positive in a vacuum, sans a fourth-down interception. But there wasn’t much else going for the team.
If the Saints expect anyone to believe that they’re “close” or that they’re building something that can compete in the league, this game was an example of the exact opposite.
The Plays
TAKE IT TAYSOM!!
📺 Fox pic.twitter.com/VR2uOU9pcK
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 2, 2025
Shough to Johnson for 6!!
📺: Fox pic.twitter.com/t25HJHJeZC
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 2, 2025
Moving the chains with a toe tap from Sheed👏
📺 Fox pic.twitter.com/WXjLoV4gaq
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 2, 2025
The Stats
- Shough finished his debut game completing 15 of his 24 passes (62.5%) for 176 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception. He compiled an 81.2 passer rating and ran once for just two yards.
- The Saints’ averaged 4.1 yards on the ground, most of which was accounted for on one 29-yard rush by quarterback Taysom Hill. That was the team’s longest run of the season.
- New Orleans has not won the turnover battle since Week 5 against the New York Giants.
- The Rams dominated time of possession in the game, specifically in the third quarter where they won the total 13:48 to the Saints’ 1:12.
The Injuries
- Saints tight end Jack Stoll was carted off with an ankle injury in the fourth quarter.
- New Orleans right tackle Taliese Fuaga was also carted off with an ankle injury.
