Saints have made major leaps in red zone offense

By Ross Jackson

For the first 12 weeks of the 2025 NFL season, the New Orleans Saints were one of the worst red zone offenses in the last decade. The team’s 34.5% red zone-touchdown rate ranked No. 317 of 320 seasons across the last ten years. 

Now, over the last three games, the Saints have completely turned historically poor results into one of the best red zone attacks in the NFL.

The Saints have now scored six touchdowns on eight red zone possessions since Week 13. Their 75% conversion rate is tied with a group of teams as the No. 2 red zone offense in that span of games.

The #Saints were the NFL’s worst red zone offense over the first 12 weeks scoring TDs on just 34.5% of their RZ possessions.

Over the last three games, they are now tied as the No. 2 red zone offense in the NFL, scoring TDs on 75% (6/8) of their RZ opportunties.

— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) December 16, 2025

A large reason for the reversal of fortune comes down to playcalling. Head coach Kellen Moore has shifted the focus inside the 20s from the Taysom Hill “Swiss Army Knife” approach to letting his rookie quarterback Tyler Shough lead the way.

The team’s rushing efficiency has trended in the right direction and the aggressive, gunslinger mentality of Shough has elevated the team’s passing attack in the red area, as well. 

The result has been reflected on the scoreboard. Over the first 12 weeks, New Orleans averaged just 15 points per game, tied for worst in the NFL. Over the same three games as their red zone surge, the Saints are now scoring 20.3 points per game, which is almost a touchdown difference.

From play calling to execution and individual efforts, the Saints have completely changed their viability in striking distance and it has led to a turnaround for the Saints who have now won three of their last five games. 

Make no mistake, the Saints are no juggernaut all of a sudden. However, their improvement in this area uncovers a promising trend. Moore has proven that he can adjust when necessary and the team has proven that it can identify areas of improvement, address them and yield positive results.

While in the midst of a rebuild, that’s exactly what a team needs to be able to show.