The New Orleans Saints turned the ball over three times, were called for seven penalties, and gave up five sacks on the way to a 27-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in game one of the preseason.
The Saints started quarterback Spencer Rattler, who played five possessions in the first half. The second-year pro completed 7 of 11 passes for 53 yards and rushed the ball three times for 22 yards. He fumbled once after a breakdown in protection.
Despite New Orleans finishing with more yards on offense, the Saints couldn’t capitalize when in the red zone. Both times, the Chargers defense held strong and stopped Kellen Moore’s new-look offense.
Here’s a quick recap of the entire contest.
Scoring summary
The Chargers took an early 3-0 lead on a 44-yard field goal off the foot of Cameron Dicker. Backup quarterback Trey Lance then entered the game and marched the team down the field on a 14-play drive that ended with the shifty quarterback scrambling into the end zone on a five-yard run.
A failed two-point conversion made for a 9-0 lead after the opening quarter of play.
New Orleans got on the scoreboard when a 10-play drive behind rookie quarterback Tyler Shough ended with a Blake Grupe field goal from 31 yards out. The halftime score was 9-3 in favor of Los Angeles.
On the first possession of the third quarter, Shough was picked off by fellow rookie Eric Rogers, who returned it 43 yards into the end zone. A successful two-point conversion made the score 17-3.
Shough bounced back with a 54-yard touchdown pass to Mason Tipton. Backup kicker Charlie Smyth made the point after to bring the game within one score, 17-10.
However, this was as close as New Orleans would get as Dicker added a 40-yard field goal to begin the fourth quarter. Rogers then made his second interception of the day, this time off Jake Haener. Los Angeles capitalized on the pick with an 11-yard scoring run by Raheim Sanders, making the score 27-10.
Smyth knocked a 50-yard kick through the uprights with less than two minutes to play. The final score was 27-13 in favor of the Chargers.
What the coach said
Sunday’s contest was the first preseason game for Kellen Moore as a head coach. The Saints hired Moore this offseason after he served as the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 and the Chargers in 2023.
“Great lesson for guys as this was the first step. The big lesson for us is that we have to protect the football,” Moore told reporters afterward. “The way we respond is valuable for our team. I think you are always looking at when the opportunity presents itself. We have to understand the situations we put ourselves in.”
It was not only Moore’s return to SoFi Stadium but also first-year Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Staley was head coach of the Chargers from 2021-23.
Numbers never lie
Rattler played all but one of the Saints first six possessions before passing the baton to Shough. The rookie out of Louisville completed 15 of 22 passes for 165 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Rushing was not New Orleans forte on Sunday with 61 yards as a team. Rattler led the category with 22 yards on three carries, while Kendre Miller added 15 yards on six carriers. Mississippi native Cam Akers got the ball four times but only produced nine yards. All-Pro running back Alvin Kamara did not play.
Tipton’s 54-yard touchdown catch was his only reception of the day. Kevin Austin, Jr. added 42 yards on four receptions.
Isaiah Stalbird and Jaylan Ford tied for a team lead with eight tackles apiece. Fadil Diggs, Chris Rumph II, and Krhistian Boyd each had a sack.
Chargers starting quarterback Justin Herbert did not play. Lance (55 yards) and DJ Uiagalelei (49 yards) led the way from behind center, with Lance adding 48 yards and a score on the ground. Emany Johnson had a team-high 10 tackles for Los Angeles.
Next up
New Orleans will host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Aug. 17. The game will be broadcast at noon on the NFL Network.
