The New Orleans Saints corrected some long-standing issues in Week 3, but ultimately in a losing effort against the Raiders.
The Saints started well and led after the first quarter for the first time in the Kellen Moore era. They also built an 11-point lead midway through the third quarter before -- quite literally -- fumbling it away with four fourth quarter turnovers. Saints head coach Kellen Moore said on WWL Radio this week that there's a good bit to like, but also things to fix.
"There’s a lot of positives that certainly we have to recognize in this game," Moore told WWL's Bobby Hebert and Mike Hoss. "Ultimately you don’t get the win, that’s ultimately what it’s all about and we just weren’t able to finish the game. We had our opportunities to finish it and we just weren’t able to get it done.”
Hear the full interview with Saints head coach Kellen Moore in the player above. Can't see the embed? Click here.
The Saints entered Week 3 as one of just three NFL teams yet to score in the first quarter of a game. Slow starts have been an issue plaguing the team throughout his tenure, with New Orleans scoring the fewest first quarter points in the league last season. New Orleans got the ball first and started the game with a three and out for the first time this season, but the next possession saw the Saints drive 84 yards on 13 plays, capped off with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Shough to Juwan Johnson.
"I was proud of our offense as far as responding the right way and having that long drive, convert some third downs, make some big plays in the red zone," Moore continued. "I thought that was a big drive just to get ourselves going.”
The 35-27 loss dropped the Saints to 1-2, though still tied for the NFC, as they turn to face the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, the first primetime tilt for both Moore as a head coach and Shough as a starting quarterback. The game also comes on the heels of the 20th anniversary of the "Domecoming" game, which marked the return of the Saints to the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina and featured Steve Gleason's iconic blocked punt.
Moore said one of the agenda items for Wednesday, a bonus day with the long week, is to give the team a bit of a history lesson on the context around that game back in 2006. The head coach noted that many of the players on the current roster are simply too young to remember much about Katrina or the aftermath. The game also marks a clear opportunity to turn the tide inside that building, where the Saints have struggled to a record of 6-12 over the past three seasons.
"The fans were awesome [at the home opener]. ... it created a great opportunity for us to get that game done and obviously everyone is bummed that we weren’t able to," Moore said, "and so, you know, fortunately for us we’re going to have as cool of an opportunity as we possibly can on Monday night to play the Atlanta Falcons, Monday Night Football with all the history of what this game is going to mean to this community and this team and so we’re really, really excited about this.”
The Saints' weekly schedule will be pushed back a day ahead of MNF, so their first official practice won't be held until Thursday. The final injury report and gameday designations will be issued on Saturday. The Saints (1-2) will host the Falcons (1-2) for the game scheduled to kick off at 7:15. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
MORE FROM MOORE
On struggles defending Brock Bowers
“Brock is a really good player. He’s going to be one of the best tight ends in this league for a long time and at the end of the day he made a ton of plays. A really good player, give him credit. We weren’t able to control him in the pass game and so he had a huge impact on this game, to have 10 catches for 116 yards and have the touchdown in the red zone. He made a lot of big plays.”
On the controversial strip sack
"At the end of the day the calls are the calls. We’re just trying to coach our guys to the best of our ability and put them in the best position to be successful. So we’re just trying to get clarity on everything we need so our guys can make the best decisions, have the best chance to be out there and perform well.”
On DT Khristian Boyd's impact
“I thought Khristian had a really good game. I think that’s two back-to-back weeks where he’s just brought an energy and effort, a play style that certainly we can use and so I thought he’s done a really good job.”
On Facing Bijan Robinson
“Bijan is one of these special players in this league. He’s a difference-maker, any time he has the football in his hand he’s got a chance to go make a home run, and so it’s going to be important for us every single down to play team defense, to not give him a crease. He may make a couple guys miss and we’ve just got to keep pursuing to this and so obviously he’s the engine that makes this thing go, and then they’ve got some big-time playmakers outside that are going to keep you honest in the pass game.”
