The New Orleans Saints are officially out of the playoff race. Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins - their 10th defeat of the season - sealed the deal, with Tampa Bay’s win over Arizona delivering the final blow. And while the Saints showed some second-half fight, the first 30 minutes were a familiar, frustrating story: slow starts, offensive misfires, and a defense left scrambling to contain explosive playmakers.
Let’s break down what went wrong, what went right, and what it all means for a Saints team now looking ahead to 2026.
Another First-Half Collapse
If you’ve watched the Saints this season, you’ve seen this movie before. The offense came out flat - again - and the numbers paint a grim picture: four three-and-outs and two turnovers on their first six drives.
That’s six possessions, zero points, and zero rhythm. It’s hard to win games when you’re spotting the opponent a two-touchdown lead before halftime.
The third-down woes continue to haunt this team. They’re not just failing to convert; they’re not even getting into manageable situations. The run game isn’t helping either - early-down runs are going nowhere, leaving the Saints behind the sticks and putting too much pressure on the passing game to bail them out.
Yes, they came out of the locker room with a spark, scoring quickly to open the second half. But by then, the damage was done. And in a league where momentum matters, the Saints are constantly playing from behind.
Run Defense Gets Gashed
Miami’s De’Von Achane had himself a day - 134 yards on 22 carries, slicing through New Orleans’ defense with ease in the first half. The Saints simply couldn’t set the edge, couldn’t wrap up, and couldn’t rally to the football with the urgency required against a speedster like Achane. Missed tackles at the second and third levels turned short gains into chunk plays, and the Dolphins took full advantage.
To their credit, the defense tightened up after halftime. They allowed just three points the rest of the way, forced two punts, and came up with a huge fourth-and-one stop that gave the offense a chance to tie things late.
Brandon Staley’s group has shown a knack for second-half adjustments all year, and that trend continued on Sunday. But when you’re down double digits early, moral victories don’t count on the scoreboard.
Stud: DE Cameron Jordan
At 37 years old, Cam Jordan is supposed to be slowing down. Somebody forgot to tell him that.
The veteran defensive end looked like his old self against Miami, racking up two sacks and three quarterback hits on Tua Tagovailoa. That brings his season total to 6.5 sacks - his best mark since 2022 - and he’s trending toward his first double-digit sack season in years.
Jordan is thriving in Staley’s system, showing burst off the edge and veteran savvy in his pass-rush moves. With five games left, he’s got a real shot to surpass his 2022 total and remind everyone he’s still got gas in the tank. For a team in transition, Jordan’s resurgence is one of the few clear positives.
Dud: Run Defense
We touched on it earlier, but it bears repeating: the Saints’ run defense was overwhelmed. Miami didn’t just beat them with scheme - they beat them with effort, speed, and execution.
The Saints were a step slow all afternoon, and when your linebackers and safeties are missing tackles in space, you’re in for a long day. This wasn’t just a bad game - it was one of their worst showings of the season in that department.
Stud: WR DeVaughn Vele
Welcome to the league, DeVaughn Vele.
The rookie wideout had his breakout performance, catching all nine of his targets for 93 yards and a highlight-reel touchdown. He was especially effective in the second half, working the middle of the field and making tough grabs in traffic. Vele showed poise, body control, and the kind of route-running polish that suggests he could be a real piece of the Saints’ future.
It was the kind of game that turns heads - not just because of the numbers, but because of the timing and toughness of his catches. He looked like a young Michael Thomas out there at times, and that’s not a comparison we throw around lightly.
Dud: Offensive Line
The Saints’ offensive line continues to be a problem. They gave up four sacks and paved the way for just 81 rushing yards on 27 carries - a paltry 3.0 yards per attempt. Whether it’s communication breakdowns, missed assignments, or simply getting beat at the point of attack, this unit hasn’t been able to establish any kind of consistency.
And it’s not just about the run game. Pass protection has been shaky all year, and Sunday was no different. When your quarterback is under pressure that often, and your backs can’t find daylight, it’s hard to sustain drives - let alone score points.
Stud: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
Kool-Aid McKinstry is starting to find his groove. The second-year corner made two game-changing plays against Miami, including a leaping interception on a deep ball intended for Jaylen Waddle in the second quarter. That pick - his third of the season - killed a promising Dolphins drive and gave the Saints a much-needed jolt.
Later in the game, McKinstry came up huge again, stuffing a fourth-and-one run to give the Saints’ offense a chance to tie things up. He’s playing with more confidence, more anticipation, and it’s clear he’s starting to feel comfortable in this defensive scheme. After an up-and-down start to the year, McKinstry is trending in the right direction.
Dud: Kellen Moore’s Play-Calling
It’s hard to ignore the issues with the Saints’ offensive identity - or lack thereof. Kellen Moore’s play-calling continues to raise eyebrows, and not in a good way.
There’s very little in the way of intermediate or deep passing concepts, and the offense too often feels like it’s stuck in neutral. A few questionable decisions on critical downs didn’t help, either.
With the season slipping away, the Saints’ offense still doesn’t have a clear identity. That falls on Moore. Whether it’s scheme, execution, or both, something has to change - and soon.
Bottom Line: The Saints are out of the playoff picture, but the final stretch of the season still matters. It’s about evaluating young talent, building momentum, and figuring out which pieces are worth carrying into 2026. Sunday’s loss to Miami was another tough pill to swallow, but performances from veterans like Cam Jordan and emerging stars like Vele and McKinstry offer a glimpse of hope in an otherwise frustrating season.