OFFENSE: The return of beginning receiver Chris Olave, proper guard Cesar Ruiz, tight finish Taysom Hill and left guard Lucas Patrick wasn’t the elixir that it was hoped it might be. New Orleans failed to succeed in the top zone and went to a quarterback change within the second half, from Spencer Rattler to Jake Haener, in hopes of offering a spark. The offense could not keep on the sphere (2 for 16 on third down) and, conjunctively, could not discover a sustainable rhythm. Combine in a couple of debilitating penalties and it was the recipe for a crew that was averaging 14.3 factors in its 5 losses to scrape its option to eight factors Sunday, together with a primary quarter security when the Chargers fumbled a punt snap and slapped the free ball out of the top zone. There merely have not been efficient solutions to the questions which have continued to come up.
DEFENSE: Having no assist from the offense in all probability has laid an unfair load on the protection. And but, that is what the unit has requested for and it hasn’t sufficiently responded. When permitting 122 dashing yards on 29 makes an attempt is a big enchancment – after surrendering 502 dashing yards on 70 carries the earlier two video games – that speaks volumes to how a lot the group has slipped in the course of the slide. After forcing punts and the Chargers’ first three possessions and serving to create a security alongside the best way, New Orleans gave up a handful of chunk performs, starting with Justin Herbert’s 38-yard scramble, that opened the door to the Chargers’ 378 yards and three touchdowns. Along with Herbert’s run, Los Angeles had cross completions of 60 yards (for a landing), 45 yards, 27 yards and 24 yards. The Saints now not can ask the protection for close to perfection, nevertheless it has to supply higher than it has for the Saints to get again within the win column.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Blake Grupe missed a 43-yard field-goal try, rookie receiver Jermaine Jackson honest caught a few punts contained in the 10-yard line and on a day like Sunday, these had been dangerous however not so manifestly noticeable as to have been in a position to have an effect on the result. Punter Matthew Hayball had a fantastic exhibiting (5 of 9 punts contained in the 20) and Kendre Miller had a 41-yard kickoff return to offer the highs.