The New Orleans Saints are facing a difficult start to their season, currently holding an 0-3 record for the first time since 2016. This challenging beginning comes despite changes in leadership and at quarterback. The team is now preparing for a significant road game against the undefeated Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park.
Fans and analysts are closely watching to see how the Saints will respond to their early struggles. Their upcoming match presents a stark contrast, pitting one of the league's struggling teams against a top contender.
Key Takeaways
- New Orleans Saints are 0-3, their worst start since 2016.
- Kellen Moore is the new head coach, and Spencer Rattler is the starting quarterback.
- Offense has scored only five touchdowns in three games, ranking 29th in points per game.
- Defense ranks 25th in points per game, struggling with third-down efficiency.
- Special teams have also shown weaknesses, including a blocked punt and a punt return touchdown allowed.
Early Season Performance and Offensive Struggles
The Saints began their season with competitive losses. They lost by seven points to the Arizona Cardinals and by five points at home against the San Francisco 49ers. However, their Week 3 game in Seattle marked a significant downturn. The Seahawks quickly took a 21-0 lead early in the first quarter. New Orleans allowed 38 points in the first half, which tied a franchise record for points given up in a single half.
The team's offense has been a primary concern. Under new head coach Kellen Moore, a former NFL quarterback and offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, the unit has struggled to find consistency. Moore, at 36, is the youngest head coach in the league.
"The offense has struggled to reach the end zone," a recent analysis noted, highlighting the team's difficulty in converting drives into scores.
Quarterback and Skill Position Production
Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler was named the starter for the season. While Rattler's individual play has not been poor, the offense as a whole has managed only five touchdowns across its first three games. This low scoring output places the Saints 29th in the league in points per game.
Offensive Statistics
- Total Touchdowns: 5 (in 3 games)
- Points Per Game Rank: 29th
- Alvin Kamara Yards Per Carry: 3.7
- Chris Olave Receptions: 23
- Juwan Johnson Receiving Yards: 176
The passing game has been average, allowing opposing defenses to focus on stopping running back Alvin Kamara. Kamara has averaged just 3.7 yards per carry and has scored only one touchdown this season. Rattler, who holds an 0-9 record as an NFL starter, has talented receivers. Chris Olave leads the team with 23 catches and is second in receiving yards with 165. Rashid Shaheed is the team's second-leading receiver. Tight end Juwan Johnson leads the Saints with 176 receiving yards and has developed a strong connection with Rattler.
Impact of Offensive Line Injuries
Injuries have also impacted the offensive line. Three of the five starting offensive linemen have been dealing with various ailments. This has significantly contributed to the team's production issues. Additionally, versatile offensive player Taysom Hill is still recovering from a torn ACL sustained last season and will not be available for the upcoming game.
Defensive and Special Teams Challenges
Defensively, the Saints are ranked in the middle of the league in most statistical categories. However, their performance in Seattle, where they gave up 44 points, significantly lowered their overall ranking to 25th in points per game allowed. The defense has struggled to get off the field on crucial downs. They rank as the sixth-worst team in the league in third-down efficiency, allowing opponents to convert at a 45% rate.
Defensive Leaders
Linebacker Demario Davis, 36 years old, leads the Saints in tackles. Defensive end Carl Granderson leads the team in sacks with 3.5. Cameron Jordan, in his 15th season, holds the Saints' career sack record with 123, but has recorded only six sacks over the last two years.
The defense has also struggled with creating turnovers. They have managed only two takeaways this season, both being fumble recoveries. The team has yet to record an interception despite opponents attempting 89 passes against them. Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry is a notable player in the secondary.
Special Teams Weaknesses
Special teams have also presented problems for New Orleans. Kicker Blake Grupe has converted all five of his extra point attempts but has made only four of seven field goal attempts. In the recent game against Seattle, the Saints allowed a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown. They also had one of their own punts blocked, which directly led to a Seahawks touchdown. These issues place the Saints 31st in both kick and punt coverage.
A positive note for special teams has been Rashid Shaheed's performance as a punt returner, averaging 16 yards per return.
Penalty Issues and Historical Context
Penalties have been another area of concern for the Saints. They have accumulated 31 accepted penalties over their first three games. Prior to their Week 2 matchup, the team brought in officials during practices to try and reduce these errors.
The upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills will be the Saints' sixth visit to Orchard Park. Historically, New Orleans has won their last four meetings against the Bills. However, only one of these wins occurred during the Sean McDermott coaching era. In McDermott's first season in 2017, the Saints defeated the Bills 47-10. This remains the most lopsided home defeat in McDermott's coaching career.
Buffalo Bills' Strong Start
The Buffalo Bills enter this game with a strong 3-0 record. They have won 14 consecutive regular-season games at Highmark Stadium. Since the start of the 2022 season, the Bills have a regular season home record of 24-2, with a 4-2 record in the playoffs.
A win this Sunday would give the Bills a 4-0 start, matching their best under Coach McDermott, which they achieved in 2020. The Bills are one of only three teams this season with no turnovers (giveaways), alongside the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts.
Key Bills Player Performances
- James Cook: The running back's snap count has increased to 55% this season, up from 44% last year. He is averaging 17 carries per game, an increase from 13. Cook ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards, and his yards per carry have improved from 4.9 in the previous season to 5.4 this year.
- Keon Coleman: While he had a notable drop against the Miami Dolphins, Coleman's catch percentage has improved significantly. He has caught 77% of his targets (14 of 18), a substantial increase from his 50% catch rate last season.
- Matt Prater: Despite a missed 39-yard field goal attempt in the Dolphins game, Prater has been reliable. He has made 7 of 8 field goal attempts and all 9 of his extra point attempts. Kicker Tyler Bass is eligible to return from Injured Reserve after this upcoming game.
The Bills' consistent performance and strong home record present a significant challenge for the struggling Saints.
