The Saints were their own worst enemy Sunday in the 24-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The scoreboard tells part of the story, but the deeper issue? Mistakes. Constant ones.

What worked (briefly):

• The defense showed fight. They limited big offensive plays for Atlanta and kept things in reach for a while.
• There were flashes of promise on offense: a few good drives, some positive yardage, hints at rhythm.

What didn’t work (too much):

• Turnovers and miscues: A mishandled handoff (on the second play) led to the Falcons’ early field goal.
• Offensive drought: The Saints didn’t score an offensive touchdown, meaning they didn’t capitalize when the defense gave a chance.
• Penalties / self-inflicted wounds: Mistakes like fumbles, missed kicks and avoidable errors cost more than one drive.
• Lack of consistency: Even when things looked promising, they didn’t build; the Falcons steadily pulled away.

Key takeaway:
This game revealed that when the Saints aren’t sharp, even mediocre opponents can dominate them. Youth, inexperience, and lack of execution still plague the roster.

What needs to go right next week in Miami:

1. Clean the mistakes. Game one starts with “don’t lose” — protect the football, avoid giveaways.
2. Finish drives with touchdowns. Field goals aren’t going to cut it away from home.
3. Establish a baseline of consistency — on offense and defense. If they play “okay,” that may be enough if the aggressiveness and execution turn up.
4. On the road, the margin is smaller. Discipline and focus must be higher.
5. Let the young guys grow quickly. If the Saints want to salvage something from this season, accelerated growth is required.

Bottom line:
This wasn’t a one-off bad day — it’s a reminder of where the Saints are. But if they take this loss, learn the lessons, and bounce in Miami, then maybe we’ll start looking at potential, not just pain. If they don’t? It’ll feel like more of the same.

It’s game day — and if the Saints want to walk out with a win, the formula isn’t complicated:

1. Protect the football.
No turnovers. No momentum killers. Clean football keeps them in control.

2. Establish the run early.
If they can stay ahead of the chains, it opens everything up for the offense and takes pressure off the quarterback.

3. Let the quarterback play fast.
Quick reads, decisive throws, get into a rhythm. When he plays on time, the offense moves.

4. Win on third down.
Too many drives die because of sloppy execution. Convert the makeable ones and avoid the long ones.

5. Defense needs pressure, not just contain.
Make their QB uncomfortable. Force mistakes. Create short fields.

6. Own the red zone.
Field goals won’t cut it. They need touchdowns.

If they clean up the details and play with urgency, they can control this game.
Let’s see who shows up today. Who Dat.

The Saints’ playoff chances this year? Let’s call it what it is: slim.

• At 2-8 and sitting in 4th place in the NFC South, the margin for error is next to nonexistent.
• Oddsmakers currently put their odds at around 1.2% for making the postseason.
• That’s not just a bad year — that’s basically a rebuild in progress year.
• If the Saints do make a run: it’ll require a long-shot rally, a bunch of opponents losing unexpectedly, AND a major step forward from young players like Tyler Shough (under center) and others stepping up.
• Realistically? The smart target for now is development, not playoff seeding.

So yeah — playoff talk is technically alive, but business-as-usual says this year’s more about laying groundwork than chasing wins.

Who Dat Nation — two weeks ago I asked whether Tyler Shough might be the future under center. Well, the conversation just got real. Shough is getting the start this week against Atlanta, and this is the kind of opportunity that can swing a quarterback’s trajectory — one way or the other.

Here’s where things stand heading into Sunday:

Why This Start Matters:
This isn’t preseason speculation anymore. Division game. On the road. Against a defense that loves to disguise pressure. If Shough shows command, timing, and poise here, it’s going to carry real weight.

Signs of Growth:
In practice and limited snaps, you can see his mechanics tightening up — quicker release, better footwork, and he’s starting to trust the middle of the field. That’s where franchise QBs make their money.

What Still Needs to Show Up:
Consistency. You can’t build a future on flashes. Sunday is his chance to stack drives, protect the ball, and prove he can run a full NFL game plan.

Bottom Line:
This start won’t decide his entire career — but it’s his first real audition to show whether he’s just a spark or something worth building around.

What do y’all think — does Tyler Shough take a step toward being the guy this weekend? Or is Atlanta about to give us the real measuring stick?

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Who Dat Nation — it’s time to talk about the future under center. Tyler Shough has had flashes that make you wonder if the Saints might have something special brewing. But is he the guy? Let’s break it down.

The Case For Shough:

• Arm Talent: The kid can sling it. Deep outs, seams, touch throws — he’s shown he can make every NFL-level pass.
• Poise Under Pressure: He’s starting to look more comfortable when the pocket collapses, showing composure and awareness that rookies usually lack.
• Upside: He’s young, coachable, and with the right system, could be molded into a long-term starter.

The Case Against:

• Inconsistency: The flashes are great, but we’ve seen some head-scratching throws and timing issues that cost drives.
• Durability: His college career had more time in the trainer’s room than anyone liked. Staying healthy will be key.
• Small Sample Size: We’ve seen promise — but not proof. One or two good games don’t make a franchise QB.

So, Who Dat Nation — what do you think? Is Tyler Shough the quarterback of the future for the New Orleans Saints, or just a short-term spark?

Cast your vote now on the main page at WhoDatNation.com!

The Saints hit the bye week with something we haven’t seen much of lately — momentum. After a rocky start that tested even the most faithful members of the Who Dat Nation, this team finally looks like it’s starting to find itself.

The offense is showing life, the defense continues to be the backbone, and the locker room energy feels different — more confident, more cohesive. The early frustrations are still fresh, but so is the sense that the tide might be turning just in time for a playoff push.

This week off isn’t just a rest. It’s a reset. Key players get healthy. Coaches get a chance to fine-tune what’s finally clicking. And fans, well, we get to exhale — for a minute — before the roller coaster starts back up.

When the Saints return, the real test begins: consistency. Can they keep the momentum alive? Can they close games with the same fire they start them? Can they make the Dome shake again like it used to?

For now, enjoy the quiet, Who Dat Nation. Things are starting to look up — and in this city, hope always wears black and gold.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tyler Shough was asked to make a play.

It was third-and-11 late Sunday afternoon, and New Orleans Saints coach Kellen Moore dialed up a passing play for his rookie quarterback — after notably taking the ball out of his hands for a few previous third downs. But this was an obvious passing situation, and with the Saints trying to preserve a lead against the Carolina Panthers, it was time for the Saints to see what they truly had in the 26-year-old.

Shough passed the test.
Read more here

There aren’t many football players who have meant more to Louisiana than Tyrann Mathieu. A native of New Orleans, born in the 7th Ward, Mathieu was an outright star at St. Augustine. He was a sensation at LSU, where he earned “Honey Badger” as a nickname. And he thrived in the NFL, winning accolade after accolade on his way to eventually playing for his hometown team.

Now, he’s calling it a career. READ MORE HERE