Michael Bacigalupi
By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Saints couldn’t turn their first win of the season into a winning streak against the New England Patriots. The team falls to the Patriots 25-19 and to 1-5 on the season. The offense showed some promise, but continued to have issues finishing drives, while the defense surrendered too much for the team to overcome. A late fumble by tight end Juwan Johnson may have been the turning point in this one, giving the Patriots the ball back after a rare defensive stop.
THE STORY
The big story here is that there is now enough information to begin to settle in on exactly who the Saints are as a football team. As the young roster continues to find its footing, it’s becoming clear that this Saints team can handle opponents it outmatches but can only hang with stronger ones.
That’s a fine place to be right now, albeit a frustrating one for the team and its fans. New Orleans still struggles to capitalize on drives that reach opposing territory, often derailing themselves with late turnovers and costly third-down defensive lapses. New Orleans let up three conversions on third and long through the air alone surrendered a 50% conversion rate across all third downs on defense.
Not being able to get off the field and not being able to convert possessions into touchdowns will be a continuing struggle that will make it very hard to win games this year, even though quarterback Spencer Rattler had a decently strong game.
THE PLAYS
53 YARDS TO OLAVE ON THE FIRST PLAY
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/8pu5txbQ3L
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 12, 2025
Pick up the phone… It’s Taysom Time.
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/pkxTTZia6y
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 12, 2025
Cooksyyyy 🏹
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/OQ8V1hJhCD
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 12, 2025
THE STATS
- Rattler completed 20 of his 26 passing attempts (76.9%) for 227 passing yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He set a new career-high in yards per attempt with 8.7.
- Wide receiver Chris Olave caught six of his 10 targets for 98 receiving yards. But his day will be defined by a pair of key drops.
- Kamara is now No. 11 on the NFL’s all-time running back list in receiving yards after Sunday’s performance.
- Pro Football Focus charted cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley with six catches allowed on eight targets for a combined 107 receiving yards and two touchdowns receptions.
- Safety Jonas Sanker was also credited with allowing a big 53-yard touchdown, the Patriots’ first of the game.
- The Saints are credited with generating pressure on 38.7% of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye’s dropbacks but came up with only one hit and one sack.
THE INJURIES
Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. tended to for a brief period on the field after being slow to get up after a play. He was evaluated in the injury tent and returned to action later in the drive.
