The New Orleans Saints closed out their preseason with a narrow 30-27 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Despite the defeat, rookie QB Spencer Rattler showcased his potential as a viable backup to veteran Derek Carr. Rattler completed 7 of 13 passes for 105 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown pass to Equanimeous St. Brown, capping a 70-yard drive in his first series.
He demonstrated poise under pressure, leading four scoring drives that accounted for 24 points, and positioning the Saints for a potential comeback. His impressive performance, which included two touchdown runs by undrafted rookieJacob Kibodi, gave the Saints’ coaching staff plenty to consider as they finalize the roster ahead of the regular season.
Receiver Samson Nacua also made a memorable impact with a crucial special teams play that significantly improved his stock. However, the game also exposed areas needing improvement, particularly in ball security, as backup QB Jake Haener, who is also vying for the No. 2 spot, struggled against the Titans’ defensive starters. Haener was sacked and stripped, resulting in a costly 20-yard loss that halted a promising drive.
Tennessee’s Malik Willis led a late-game rally with two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Bryce Oliver, including a decisive fourth-and-1 score that secured the Titans’ victory. Despite the loss, the Saints’ preseason finale offered valuable insights into the team’s depth and potential heading into the new season.
