Following a loss to the Denver Broncos, the New Orleans Saints have hit one of their lowest points in years.
First Quarter
Denver receives the ball to start the game out. Almost instantly, the woes of their past come back to haunt them. Bo Nix, rookie quarterback for Denver, scrambled for 14 yards on his first offensive snap. Nix would take off again later in the drive for a first down. Thankfully, this was one of the few times this game where the Broncos were forced to punt.
The Saints offense came running out of the gate. Rookie QB Spencer Rattler quickly found tight end Foster Moreau for a 32-yard gain.
Unfortunately for the Saints, that would be the biggest play of their opening drive. Rattler’s big completion to Moreau would be followed by a one-yard Alvin Kamara run, an incomplete pass, and a seven-yard pass. Rather than going for it on fourth and two, the New Orleans Saints elected to punt the ball.
The New Orleans defense would give a bit on their next appearance. Bo Nix and the Denver offense would take five minutes off the clock in a drive that ended in a field goal. Although the chunk gains by their running backs shouldn’t be ignored on this drive, it was the passing game that tore the defense apart. Nix would go 4/4 for 35 yards.
It only got worse for the Saint’s offense their next time out. The drive showed some promise, after an eight-yard run by Kendre Miller was followed up with a 10-yard completion to Bub Means but was swiftly shut down. Bronco’s linebacker Cody Martin would strip-sack Spencer Rattler, with former Saint Kwon Alexander picking it up.
Second Quarter
While Denver’s next offensive possession did start in the first quarter, it bled into the second. On another long drive – 12 plays in five minutes and 15 seconds – they would again come away with three points.
New Orleans’ next drive almost ended in disaster. Rattler fumbles the snap, which is recovered by Denver for six. Thankfully, it was called back after a defensive tackle was caught in the neutral zone. Rattler would respond by throwing a bomb to wide receiver Mason Tipton, but it would fall incomplete. Following the play, rules analyst Terry McAulay said that there should’ve been a call for defensive pass interference.
The no-call would be a drive-killer for the Saints. Never able to gain enough momentum, they would cap the drive off with a punt. Denver would start to run away with it on their next drive. Literally.
On a nine-play drive, the Broncos would run the ball five times for 38 yards and a touchdown. Bo Nix would also complete a 30-yard pass to wide receiver Troy Franklin, which left the Saints defense struggling to breathe.
The New Orleans offense would finally get some points on the board on their following drive. A highlight of the drive was a 28-yard scramble by Spencer Rattler, although he also made some plays with his arm. However, a failed Alvin Kamara run would get rid of any momentum that was there. Following the failed run, Rattler would complete two short passes that set Blake Grupe up for a chip shot field goal.
Denver would respond with a field goal of their own. Having no passing game on that drive, they would rely on the run game to get them into field goal range. Wil Lutz, former Saints kicker, would send it in from 52 yards out.
The Saints wouldn’t have much of a chance to get more points on the board in the first half, as they had only 16 seconds before halftime. However, it would be a pretty bizarre ending the first half of the play. Someone on the Saints sideline, called time out just for the Saints to kneel the ball. Post-game, Dennis Allen said he didn’t know who called it and that shouldn’t have happened.
“But [the Saints are] gonna take another timeout, I guess. Alright. For what practical purpose, you tell me.” – Al Michaels
“I don’t know.” – Kirk Herbstreit
“Even you’re stumped. To stump you is hard.” – Al
And then the Saints choose to just kneel down. ️#NFL #TNF pic.twitter.com/UJ0G8UAXHO
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 18, 2024
Third Quarter
The Saints would open up the second half on offense. However, at breakneck speed, they would end up punting the ball. Their second-half opening drive would only be 51 seconds long. Denver would take advantage of New Orleans’ struggles with another field goal.
New Orleans’ next drive wouldn’t fare much better. They would have five plays executed, but no yards gained. In fact, they would once again have negative yardage. At least this time the drive was over a minute.
Bo Nix would kill the defense of New Orleans on his next drive. He would have a 23-yard completion to tight end Lucas Krull – another former Saint – on top of a 32-yard scramble. However, the scoring play would be on a five-yard run by running back Javonte Williams.
Spencer Rattler would almost have his own impressive drive right after, if it wasn’t for two costly penalties. Foster Moreau would be called for offensive holding and left guard Landon Young was called for a false start in back-to-back plays, setting up a 1st & 25. The Saints would punt just a few plays later, unable to reach a first down.
Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter would open up with three straight punts. Neither offense, it seems, was awake at the end of the game. They wouldn’t be the only ones struggling to keep their eyes open. Saints fans left the game in droves after the Drew Brees Saints HOF induction at halftime.
New Orleans was the first team to not punt in the fourth quarter – but not in the way one might think. The Saints would turn it over on downs after four quick plays. Thankfully, the defense would stop the Broncos’ offense for once, causing them to fumble a ball that they would recover.
Unfortunately, the Broncos defense was able to clap right back, and in a worse way. Cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian would pop the ball loose on a Spencer Rattler sack, and Cody Barton would pick it up for a score. Looking at the replay, it’s obvious that Rattler just didn’t see McMillian coming. He was slow to get up afterward.
Jake Haener would come into the game. Changing the play at the line of scrimmage on occasion, he led an impressive drive that would end in the Saints’ first (and only) touchdown of the game, a 12-yard pass to Cedrick Wilson. It would be the first touchdown pass of Haener’s career.
Denver’s offense would kneel the ball three times to end the game on their next drive. The next game for the Saints is next Sunday in an afternoon matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
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