Another tough loss for the Saints, but this one came with something we haven’t been able to say much this season: there were actual positives worth talking about. New Orleans showed fight late, executed a perfect onside kick, and finally — finally — got stability from the kicker position.

The Good

A 56-yard field goal from the new kicker.
That’s not luck — that’s leg talent and confidence. After weeks of inconsistency, the Saints found a guy who stepped in and delivered immediately. Hitting from 56 on the road in Miami is not a small thing. If he can be reliable going forward, that solves one of the biggest problems this team has had all year.

Successful onside kick recovery.
You almost never see these work in today’s NFL, yet the Saints executed it perfectly. Right kick. Right bounce. Right hustle. It gave New Orleans a real shot to make it interesting late and showed the team hasn’t quit.

Young QB keeps showing toughness.
He didn’t fold, didn’t tap out, and kept taking shots downfield. Development isn’t pretty, but you can see pieces coming together — awareness, confidence, and willingness to compete.

Defensive stretches of real effort.
They bent plenty, but they didn’t just roll over. Against Miami’s speed, they held up better than most expected, especially early.

The Bad

Still too many self-inflicted mistakes.
Penalties, blown assignments, and miscommunication continue to stall drives and hand momentum to the opponent.

Protection issues.
The QB can’t grow if he’s escaping pressure every other snap. It affects timing, play-calling, and consistency.

Red-zone execution is still a problem.
The difference between Miami and New Orleans is simple: Miami finishes drives, the Saints don’t.

Bottom Line

Yes, it’s another loss — but there were actual building blocks here.
A kicker who looks like he might finally stabilize special teams.
A successful onside kick showing fight.
A young QB getting real reps and showing grit.
A defense that kept competing.

The season is now about growth, evaluation, and figuring out who belongs in the future plans. Today didn’t fix everything — far from it — but it did offer something the Saints haven’t had in a while: signs of progress.

A win today would mean a lot more than just a number in the standings. For our new QB, this is the kind of stage that can change the conversation about the future in New Orleans.

What a win would mean:
• Credibility. Beating Miami on the road shows he can deliver in tough environments.
• Confidence. Young quarterbacks grow fast when they stack good performances.
• Control of the locker room. Teammates rally around a QB who proves he can fight and finish.
• Momentum. The season has been rough — but a win here would shift the tone moving forward.

What to watch for today:
• Composure early. First quarter matters. If he settles in quickly, the offense can breathe.
• Decision-making. Quick reads, smart throws, no forced mistakes.
• Red-zone execution. Field goals won’t beat Miami. Need touchdowns.
• Protection. The O-line has to keep him upright long enough to let him work.
• Defense helping him out. Short fields and turnovers make life easier for a young QB.

Today is a chance — for the team and for the guy under center — to show what the future might look like.

Who Dat.

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