The New Orleans Saints took a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and fell to 1-2, but the season is nowhere near slipping away. That’s the part worth keeping in view after a competitive Week 3 game that ended badly for New Orleans.
The Saints did enough in stretches to show they were still in the fight. They made mistakes, and the turnovers put them in difficult spots, but they kept pushing. Even in defeat, there were still reminders of the group that went into Baltimore and stunned people with a win.
It also matters who beat them. The Raiders are 3-0, which is a long way from being a soft landing spot on the schedule. New Orleans didn’t lose to a bad team Sunday.
And then there’s the division, which may be the biggest reason the Saints can still feel good about where things stand. The NFC South remains wide open.
New Orleans is 1-2, but so are the Falcons and Panthers, while the Buccaneers are 0-3 and have lost Baker Mayfield for at least a few weeks. Tampa Bay is set to lean on an undrafted rookie at quarterback, the Panthers have been inconsistent, and the Falcons are still searching for an identity.
That gives the Saints room to breathe, especially with the Falcons coming to New Orleans next week for a primetime matchup. A win there would push the Saints to 2-2 and send Atlanta to 1-3. After that, the schedule also includes games against the Giants, Steelers, and Browns that look winnable.
For a team trying to reach the playoffs, winning the division is the cleanest path. That remains in play for the Saints, even after the loss to Las Vegas.
It’s a setback, sure, but not a season-breaker. There’s still a lot of football left, and plenty in front of them.
In Other News...
Saints Suddenly Face A Bigger NFC South Problem Than One Loss
The NFC South took on a strange look after a weekend that felt like it could have helped the Saints, only for the picture to get murkier. Tampa Bay came out of a disappointing loss to Minnesota with Baker Mayfield dealing with a finger injury, Carolina dropped its game against Cleveland while star cornerback Jaycee Horn was hurt and expected to miss most of the season, and Atlanta powered past Green Bay behind a big showing from Bijan Robinson.
For New Orleans, the loss to Las Vegas was frustrating enough on its own after a fourth-quarter collapse, but the broader concern is how quickly the division race could shift if the Saints cannot clean up their own issues. The questions around Travis Etienne's injury and the pass rush only add to the uncertainty, leaving a team that needed clarity instead staring at a division where no one looks especially secure. [Read more 🡒]
Chris Olave Just Sent A Strong Message Saints Fans Will Notice
Chris Olave made a noticeable statement in the Saints season opener, and it had as much to do with what was on his head as what he did with the ball in his hands. Wearing a Guardian Cap in a live game for the first time, the receiver went out and delivered a career-high 182 receiving yards, giving New Orleans an explosive performance while also turning heads with a new bit of protection.
Afterward, Olave made it clear the look is here to stay. He confirmed the Guardian Cap will be a permanent part of his game-day routine, and the company followed by naming him its latest signature athlete, alongside players such as Jalen Pitre and Romeo Doubs. For Saints fans, it was a strong sign that one of their top pass-catchers is embracing both his role in the offense and the extra step hes taking to stay on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Suddenly Have A Left Tackle Problem They Can't Ignore
Kelvin Banks Jr. being out for roughly nine weeks leaves the Saints with a problem they cannot easily paper over, because left tackle is one of the spots on the line where every snap matters. New Orleans turned to Asim Richards after Banks went down, and the move immediately put more stress on an offense already trying to settle in around Tyler Shough.
Richards fourth quarter against recent pressure was a reminder of how fragile that protection can be, with pressures that helped lead to a strip sack and an interception. The Saints do not need perfection from the spot, but they do need steadier play there if they want Shough to have a chance and the offense to keep moving, which is why this stretch at left tackle suddenly looks like one of the most important issues on the roster. [Read more 🡒]