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:
- Clean the mistakes. Game one starts with “don’t lose” — protect the football, avoid giveaways.
- Finish drives with touchdowns. Field goals aren’t going to cut it away from home.
- Establish a baseline of consistency — on offense and defense. If they play “okay,” that may be enough if the aggressiveness and execution turn up.
- On the road, the margin is smaller. Discipline and focus must be higher.
- 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.