On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints continued their downward spiral in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
First Quarter
Initially, both teams started the game out slow. Los Angeles would go three and out on their first drive. New Orleans would also punt, but after a 23-yard Alvin Kamara run.
The defense of the Saints managed to hold it together in the first quarter, forcing the chargers to punt on their second drive. Special teams would then take advantage on the ensuing muffed punt, netting a safety.
The Saints would punt as well on their second offensive possession. They were close to a third and short, but a holding penalty would bring the team back to a 2nd and 19. Spencer Rattler would have a 14-yard competition to tight end Taysom Hill, but the offense wouldn’t be able to overcome a third and five.
Still holding strong, the defense of the Saints would force the Chargers to punt for a third straight drive. Unfortunately the Chargers defense would do the same thing and force the Saints to punt once again.
On their next drive, Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense would put points of the board. Featuring a 38-yard scramble by Herbert, they would go down and kick a field goal at the start of the second quarter.
Second Quarter
Unfortunately, the Saints would not be able to respond. On their first drive of the second quarter, they would literally go backwards. On a drive where they had negative two yards gained, they would punt after four plays. A completion to Taysom Hill would earn them a first down, but it would be taken back on another holding penalty.
The next two drives would feature punts by both teams. It wouldn’t be until there was under two minutes left in the half for a touchdown to be scored.
On an eight-minute 15 play drive, the LA Chargers would march 90 yards down the field. Using chunk plays, they were able to tire the New Orleans defense out. However, their drive was helped out on a pass interference call on cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Just a few plays after the PI would be a one-yard touchdown run by J.K Dobbins. The PAT would be unsuccessful.
Luckily, the Saints would be able to respond, although not with a touchdown. On a drive that took the rest of the second half, New Orleans would go down the field for a successful field goal by Blake Grupe. The drive would also feature a nice completion to TE Juwan Johnson for 22-yards.
Third Quarter
New Orleans would receive the ball to open up the second half. However, they would continue their trend of punting the ball. This time, on a legit three-and-out. The Chargers would punt to open the second half as well.
On their second drive of the half, the Saints would punt once again. Their defense would then continue their trend of giving up at least one explosive play a game, as the Chargers scored in two plays on their next drive. Justin Herbert would find rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey for a 60-yard score.
The Saints would respond with a punt, although this time it wasn’t in three plays. They did earn a first down on a 14-yard competition to Chris Olave, but the team would still shoot itself in the foot. Just two plays later, a 10-yard Kendre Miller run was called back on a holding penalty putting the team at a 2nd & 17. After an incomplete pass, the Saints would send out punter Matthew Hayball once again.
Fortunately for the Saints offense, their defense backed them up. Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders would start the drive out with a sack. Herbert would then complete a short pass to make it 3rd & 14. But his third down pass would fall incomplete, causing the Chargers to punt the ball.
A change at quarterback would be made on the next drive. Jake Haener, second-year man out of Fresno St. would be put in the game. Immediately, the offense seemed to be fresher. Taysom hill would have a seven-yard run, and then Kamara with a run for four yards. After a short competition to Chris Olave, Kamara would have a 24-yard run. Then on a trick play, Taysom Hill would complete a short pass to Kamara. Jamaal Williams would then run the ball for two yards. Unable to convert on third down, Blake Grupe would send it through the uprights from 43 yards out.
Fourth Quarter
The Chargers next offensive possession would start at the end of the third quarter, and end at the start of the fourth. It would only end in a field goal, but they still managed to rip the defense apart. On the second play of the drive the defense gave up yet another explosive play, this time to wide receiver Joshua Palmer for a 45-yard gain. That would be their biggest play of the drive, as they quickly lost momentum. After two short passes, the Chargers would kick a field goal.
Jake Haener would quickly find Olave on the next drive on a 15-yard pass play. Jamaal Williams would then run it up the gut for two yards. Haener and Olave were unable to connect for a second time on the drive, leading to a 3rd & 8. Unfortunately for Haener his next pass – intended for Taysom Hill – would also fall incomplete. Saints punt again.
After a run by J.K Dobbins and an incomplete pass, Justin Herbert would be sacked for a second time on his next drive. It would be credited to defensive end Chase Young and cornerback Alontae Taylor.
New Orleans’ next drive would feature another Haener to Olave connection, this time for 28-yards. Kamara would then have a short competition for two yards, followed by a false start on left tackle Taliese Fuaga. After the penalty, Haener would throw a competition on a ball intended for Kamara. Blake Grupe would then be sent out to try a 44-yard field goal. He would miss it, ruining his so far perfect field goal percentage this year.
Los Angeles would then put an end to the game. Their next drive would feature nine plays for 66 yards and a touchdown. Another competition of over 20 yards would be made, this time to wide receiver Jalen Reagor. Following an incomplete pass, Ladd McConkey would notch his second TD of the game on a nine-yard catch.
The Saints would end the game with possession of the ball. Their last drive had some flashes on two competitions to Juwan Johnson and a huge completion to Bub Means, but the offense was unable to put more points on the board in the closing seconds.
New Orleans will be visiting Charlotte on Sunday in a noon matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
