The New Orleans Saints dismantled by Tennessee Titans in a contest that left this Saints squad’s discontent reverberating through the locker room. The team, led by coach Kellen Moore, experienced a series of missed chances that left them pondering what could have been. To cap the momentous stretch, Taysom Hill scored on a heart-stopping touchdown. The energy his teammates provided to build up to that moment was electric.
As Hill approached the end zone, four players, including tight end Foster Moreau, signaled a touchdown before he officially crossed the line. That elation was partly clouded by an overwhelming air of “what-if” that hung in the locker room. She added that in addition to feeling frustrated, the mood reflected the pride on the part of this team in knowing how close they were.
The Saints started strong with a significant 53-yard pass from quarterback Spencer Rattler to Chris Olave, marking the longest catch of Olave’s career. That prospect combined with their upstart success further ignited hope among the players.
“After that play we were like, ‘Damn, we’re going to roll now, let’s roll,’” – Spencer Rattler
Even though Olave had a heck of a game—six receptions, 98 yards—and more chances were lost from there. A pivotal moment came during a crucial third-and-4 situation when a pass intended for Olave bounced off his hands in the end zone. This bad drop caused the Saints to have to settle for yet another field goal.
Moore recognized just how close the margins are in the NFL and how essential it is to make your most of your opportunities.
“It’s the NFL. The margins are really, really small,” – Kellen Moore
He lamented their failure to be able to convert on big chances at key times in the game.
“For myself, I got to figure out a way to get us there because again, we’re close, we’re knocking on the door, but we’re not opening it,” – Kellen Moore
When it came to turning big plays into touchdowns, the Saints’ weakness all season, as we highlighted here, it was apparent. For his part, Rattler expressed frustration over failing to score points after huge offensive gains.
“And you hate to end up with three on that drive. That should for sure be a touchdown. So, got to figure out a way no matter what it is to get seven points on the board, especially after a big play like that,” – Spencer Rattler
Even with all those obstacles, the way the Saints played was encouraging, even just from a defensive standpoint. Moore noted that they had the talent, they had the opportunity — but they just didn’t deliver when it counted the most.
“They’re really tight. They got good players. We got good players. It’s a matter of taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented, and so yeah, we’re not getting it done,” – Kellen Moore
With the Saints headed into their next test, they’ll need to follow through on moving frustration into action. The experiences gained in this match will be essential in their efforts in striving for excellence going onward.
Leave a Reply