Devaughn Vele Breaks Out, But Saints Still Stuck in Neutral
The New Orleans Saints finally got the kind of performance from Devaughn Vele that fans and coaches alike had been hoping for since the team acquired him earlier this season. On a day when the offense desperately needed a spark, Vele delivered with 8 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. He also made a key special teams play, recovering an onside kick after a well-placed attempt by Charlie Smyth in his NFL debut.
This was the first time we’ve really seen Vele featured as a consistent target, and he looked the part. With Tyler Shough continuing to settle in at quarterback, the chemistry between the two is starting to take shape. If this connection keeps trending upward, Vele could become the reliable No. 2 option behind Chris Olave - something the Saints have been sorely missing since the Rashid Shaheed trade.
But while Vele’s emergence is a bright spot, the bigger picture tells a familiar story for this Saints team - one where offensive inconsistency and defensive lapses keep digging holes too deep to climb out of.
Ground Game Comes Up Empty Again
The Saints' inability to establish the run was glaring, especially against a Miami defense that entered the game ranked 29th in the league against the run. Without Alvin Kamara in the lineup, the Saints leaned on rookie Devin Neal, who managed just 47 yards on 14 carries - a 3.4-yard average that simply isn’t going to cut it when you’re trying to control the clock or keep a high-powered offense like Miami’s off the field.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins ran wild. De’Von Achane gashed the Saints for 134 yards on 22 carries, averaging an even 6 yards per tote.
Miami finished with 164 rushing yards to New Orleans’ 81, and they did it with just five more carries. That kind of disparity tells the story of a Saints defense that couldn’t get off blocks and an offense that couldn’t stay on schedule.
It’s not just a one-week issue, either. The Saints have one of the league’s worst rushing attacks, averaging just 90 yards per game. That lack of balance has been a thorn in their side all season long, and it’s a big reason why they’ve struggled to finish games - or even start them on the right foot.
Another Slow Start Sinks the Saints
Speaking of starts, this game followed a frustratingly familiar pattern. The Saints went into halftime trailing 16-0 after a first half that featured four three-and-outs and two turnovers.
On the other side, Miami scored on four of their six first-half possessions. That’s the kind of lopsided efficiency that puts any team behind the eight ball, especially one like New Orleans that doesn’t have the firepower to play from behind for four quarters.
To their credit, the Saints made solid halftime adjustments. The offense found some rhythm, and the defense tightened up, allowing just three points in the second half.
But by then, the damage was done. A 16-point hole is tough to climb out of for any team - let alone one that’s still trying to find its identity on both sides of the ball.
Final Thoughts
There’s no question the Saints have some pieces to build around. Vele’s breakout performance is encouraging, and there are signs that Tyler Shough is starting to get more comfortable under center. But the issues that have plagued this team all season - a non-existent run game, leaky run defense, and sluggish starts - were all on display again in Miami.
If New Orleans wants to turn the corner, they’ll need more than flashes of potential. They’ll need consistency, physicality up front, and a plan to get this offense rolling from the opening snap. Until then, games like this one will keep slipping away - no matter how many bright spots show up on the stat sheet.