It was a heartbreaking night for the New Orleans Saints as the team fell 35-27 to the Las Vegas Raiders in their home opener. The momentum was going the Saints’ way after scoring 27 points in the first three quarters and carrying an 11-point lead into the fourth.
But then, seemingly out of nowhere, the previously anointed comeback kings who had put together some remarkable fourth-quarter performances to open the season, completely folded.
As if by the snap of a finger, the Saints’ protection fell apart, quarterback Tyler Shough committed three consecutive turnovers and a fourth soon followed even after having a chance to tie the game after falling behind to an eight-point deficit.
The first turnover was one of several examples of truly terrible officiating that didn’t make things any easier for New Orleans, as well. But overall, the team still had its chances, especially after finally securing a faster start which included the team’s first first-quarter lead in 24 games, ending a 23-game streak.
The Saints, who typically started scoreless in the first quarter, were instead held scoreless in the fourth. It was a complete reversal of what had been seen not just during the first two games of the 2026 season, but dating back to Shough’s rookie year as well.
Before anyone knew it, the Saints were suffering their second loss of the season despite a very promising beginning in which the team had complete control of a very good Raiders football team, sans star tight end Brock Bowers.
The Saints rushed for 148 yards, forced a special teams turnover and held Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty to 2.9 yards per carry. But they allowed Kirk Cousins to throw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, the first touchdowns New Orleans has surrendered in the final period since Week 12 of 2025.
Whether starting slow or not finishing strong, the Saints’s lesson is clear: they must find a way to put together four quarters and 60 minutes of good football rather than laying an egg for a quarter at either end of the matchup.
“We’ve got to be better towards the end there,” said Shough. “We had opportunities all the way towards the end and we feel very comfortable in those moments and we’re just a couple plays away. There’s a miscommunication or a good job by [the Raiders], we can clean that up for sure. More than anything, I think it’s just keep going.”
New Orleans, particularly on offense, looked great throughout the first three quarters, but all of that was erased by an unremarkable and atypical fourth period that featured four consecutive turnovers.
In addition to the turnovers, the Saints’ defense also surrendered scores (touchdowns or field goals) on eight of Las Vegas’ 11 offensive drives, excluding the series of kneeldowns at the end of the game.
Until the team figures out how to both start and finish strong, more missed opportunities will continue. But if they can piece it all together, as it’s still early in the season, the team can also be a dangerous one in an increasingly winnable NFC South.
Without putting it all together, heartbreak will always feel one quarter away.
