The New Orleans Saints’ early-season slide has turned into something bigger than a bad week. Three straight home losses have left the team searching for answers after defeats to the Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings - a run that has taken the shine off whatever optimism followed the Week 2 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
What makes the stretch sting is the setting. All three losses came in the Superdome, and the timing only made the damage feel worse.
On Oct. 5, the organization celebrated its 2006 team on the 20th anniversary of the return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina, only for the Saints to get rolled 45-24 by the Falcons in primetime. Then in Week 5, the club inducted Drew Brees into its ring of honor at halftime against Minnesota and still walked away with a 10-point loss in a game that would have been much uglier without two defensive takeaways.
Owner Gayle Benson did not hide her frustration. She called the Falcons loss “truly disappointing” and pointed to Brees’ ring of honor induction as another reminder of the standard the Saints are supposed to live up to. It stood out as a rare public shot from Benson, and it matched the mood around a team that feels like it is unraveling fast.
ESPN NFL insider Katherine Terrell reported that the Saints are staring directly at the causes of the collapse. Her read on the situation centered on the organization’s ownership, players and the way they’re evaluating the last three games.
The concerns go beyond one side of the ball. Penalties, turnovers and slow starts have all piled up.
Shane McCoy described the problems as an “all-around issue,” and that fits what the Saints have been putting on the field. The defense has taken plenty of blame across this stretch, but against Minnesota the offense and special teams also played their part in sinking New Orleans’ chances.
Even the Falcons loss carries its own weight. Losing a “Domecoming” anniversary game is no better or worse than another defeat in the standings, but the 45-24 beatdown at home against a team that was 2-3 at the time raised hard questions about how the Saints prepared and how much they brought to that matchup.
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