Saints embarassed by Seahawks 44-13

By Ross Jackson

SEATTLE, Wash. – One of the New Orleans Saints’ worst performances in recent history is mercifully over as the team falls to the Seattle Seahawks on the road 44-13. A score that, somehow, looks closer than the game actually was.

The Story

The Saints had their worst first half in a game since the 2005 season going into halftime down by 32 points, 38-6. It was a three-phase failure all around for New Orleans. The team couldn’t move the ball on offense, let up a 95-yard punt return touchdown, a 60-yard kick return and blocked punt while giving little to no resistance to the Seattle offense who scored on every first-half drive.

The second half wasn’t much better as Seattle turned to backup quarterback Drew Lock with 14:52 left in the fourth quarter along with pulling multiple starters. The Saints scored a touchdown as the quarter began, a 13-yard connection from quarterback Spencer Rattler to tight end Jack Stoll.

Penalties, shaky special teams coverage, sluggish starts, and poor defensive play once again surfaced as problems the team vowed to fix after its 0-2 start. The Saints now brace for a tough matchup with the Buffalo Bills next week, a Super Bowl contender after looking completely outclassed against Seattle.

The game was so out of hand late, the Saints gave rookie Tyler Shough his debut with 3:31 left in the game.

The Plays

Rattler to Stoll for the TD ⚜️

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/ey8aeKRBQE

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 21, 2025

Riley forces the fumble, and Werner recovers it#Saints | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/KkxVTKUDVR

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 21, 2025

The Stats

• New Orleans went into halftime with the largest deficit (32 points) since 2005.
• Seattle scored 41 points before converting a single third down.
• Saints’ wide receiver Chris Olave caught 10 passes, but for only an average of 5.7 yards each.
• Rattler completed 28 of his 39 passes (71.8%) for 218 passing yards, one passing touchdown and an interception.
• New Orleans was called for 11 penalties. The second time in three games that the team was penalized more double-digit times.
• Kicker Blake Grupe missed a field goal for the third consecutive game.
• The Saints surrendered more than 200 return yards in combined kick and punt coverage.

The Injuries

• Cornerback Kool-AId McKinstry was evaluated for a concussion, but returned soon after being checked out.
• Safety Justin Reid was also cleared to return after being evaluated for a concussion.