Comeback falls short against Miami as New Orleans Saints lose any playoff hopes

A second-half rally for the New Orleans Saints ultimately came up short with the team dropping Sunday’s road contest to the Miami Dolphins, 21-17.

New Orleans trailed 16-0 at halftime, but a touchdown connection between Tyler Shough and Devaughn Vaughn with just over a minute to play in the fourth quarter made it a 19-17 game. However, on the two-point attempt, Shough threw an interception to Minkah Fitzpatrick, who returned it to the opposite end zone to put Miami up 21-17.

It was the second loss in a row for New Orleans (2-10) and the third win in a row for Miami (5-7).

Scoring summary

New Orleans had minimal offensive production in the first half and zero points to show for any positive plays. Miami, on the other hand, immediately opened the game with a scoring drive that ended with a 29-yard run into the end zone by De’Von Achane.

The Dolphins didn’t cross the goal line for the remainder of the half but did find three successful field goals off the foot of Riley Patterson, including a 48-yard buzzer beater before the intermission, 16-0.

To open the second half, Shough marched the Saints down the field in 10 plays and ended the drive with a 17-yard touchdown toss to Chris Olave. Shough then converted the two-point try with his legs to make it 16-8.

Shortly after Patterson converted another field goal, extending Miami’s lead to 19-8, Saints kicker Charlie Smyth made a 56-yard boot with around six minutes left in the fourth quarter, 19-11.

A defensive stop for New Orleans allowed Shough and company a chance to tie. The rookie signal-caller tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Vaughn with 1:17 remaining, bringing the score to 19-17. The two-point try was intercepted by Fitzpatrick, who returned it the length of the field and gave Miami two points, 21-17.

The Saints tried an onside kick and got it, giving them one more chance to complete the comeback. However, Shough was stuffed on 4th and 1 and Miami took over on downs before kneeling out the rest of the clock.

What the coach said

The opening year for first-year New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore has not gone to plan with the Saints now statistically eliminated from the 2026 playoffs. Sunday’s loss to Miami, combined with the Carolina Panthers’ upset over the Los Angeles Rams, made it mathematically impossible for the Saints to make the postseason.

However, Moore inherited a franchise in desperate need of rebuilding. After the game, he said he’s proud of the resilience his team is showing in that mission.

“There is stuff to learn and grow from during that game,” he said. “… Credit to our guys [for] the way they battled. In the second half, our guys responded well in all three phases. There are a lot of positives there.”

New Orleans has not made the playoffs since 2020.

Key stats

Even with the loss and the late-game interception, Shough had one of the better outings of his young career. He finished 26 of 38 passing for 239 yards with two touchdowns and another pick (interceptions on two-point conversions do not count as official interceptions, per NFL rules). Vele was his favorite receiver on the day, going for 93 yards and a score on eight catches.

Defensively, the Saints were led by Cameron Jordan’s two sacks. The takedowns tied him for 17th most in NFL history as he now has 128. He sits in the spot alongside Rickey Jackson.

Bryan Bresee and Chase Young each notched sacks, as well. Kool-Aid McKinstry intercepted Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the second quarter, while Demario Davis led the team with nine tackles.

For Miami, Tagovailoa didn’t have the most impressive day – going 12 of 23 passing for 157 yards with the pick and no scores – but Achane had his latest stellar display on the ground with 134 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries.

Jordyn Brooks led the Dolphins with 12 tackles. Jack Jones had 1.5 sacks. Rasul Douglas and Fitzpatrick both picked off Shough with Fitzpatrick adding seven tackles and one sack.