New Orleans Saints vs Miami Dolphins 2025 Week 13 Recap

Greyson Jenkins • November 30, 2025

The Saints lose excitingly, and it might just be the best result possible for the team’s future. 

The Saints lose in Miami after a crazy final few minutes. Tyler Shough drove down the field and threw what could’ve been the potential game-tying touchdown, but then threw a “pick-two” on the two-point conversion. Naturally, the Saints converted an onside kick once again in Miami, recovered by the one and only Devaugn Vele. Unfortunately, the Saints were unable to drive down the field and ultimately lost a close game. However, there were some positives to this one: with Tyler Shough looking solid and making a potential game-winning throw to Olave that was dropped, Devaugn Vele having his breakout game, Charlie Smyth nailing a 56-yard field goal as his first official NFL field goal attempt, and young players on the defense making big plays. Let’s break all of that down, as well as another inept performance by Kellen Moore as the head coach. 


Tyler Shough

Tyler Shough started extremely slow in this one, with two turnovers in the first half and no points, but turned it around massively to close it out, finishing 26/38 for 239 yards, two touchdowns, and one pick. He led a solid touchdown drive to start the second half, which ended with a Chris Olave touchdown on a scramble drill. He made multiple plays happen on the move and was able to navigate what felt like constant pressure relatively well. To end the game, Tyler Shough led the potential game-tying touchdown drive and also threw a perfect ball that would have given the Saints the lead, which went directly through Chris Olave’s hands. It was by no means a perfect game by Shough, as both picks (one doesn’t count statistically since it was on a two-point conversion attempt) were extremely poor throws. In addition to this, Shough did take four sacks, with a couple of them feeling like he should have been able to navigate the pocket better or potentially throw the ball away. Shough clearly has the potential to develop into the Saints' franchise quarterback, but the team desperately needs to build a more explosive weapon group around him. 

 

Devaugn Vele


 Through the 12 weeks of the NFL season before this one, many Saints fans (myself included) were questioning why the Saints traded for Devaugn Vele if they weren’t going to use him. He had nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown before this game, and he nearly matched his season total with eight catches against the Dolphins. It seems as though Kellen Moore finally realized that Vele has very strong hands, and his size makes him the perfect weapon to use for in-breaking routes such as slants and digs. He made multiple tough catches in this one, some through contact and some where he had to drag his feet/legs to make the play. This is exactly what all of us Saints fans have wanted to see to justify the Saints having one less draft pick in the upcoming draft. If Vele continues to perform this well, the Saints may just have a true weapon on their hands… And if the Saints somehow go and add Carnell Tate, Chris Bell, or Elijah Sarratt to this wide receiver room with Vele and Olave, watch out.


Charlie Smyth


 Charlie Smyth, the Saints' new starting kicker from Ireland, attempted and made his first-ever NFL field goal today, which he nailed from 56 yards away. It appeared in this one for a while that he may never even get in range to attempt one, but when the Saints called on him to make a play in a very high-stakes moment, he did his job. That was something that Blake Grupe failed to do this season for the Saints multiple times, and the fact that Kellen Moore was confident enough to trust Smyth from that distance in that scenario makes me extremely happy and confident in Smyth’s future. Also, not only did Smyth make the kick, but it looked like it may have been good from 65 yards plus. Now, this is only his first kick, and things could turn bad after this week, but an international player who fought tooth and nail on his own to get to where he is, and that hard work paying off is special. I really hope that Smyth continues to succeed and that the Saints can rely on him for years to come, because that would be one less thing for the Saints to worry about this offseason. 


Young Defensive Playmakers


Kool-Aid McKinstry, Quincy Riley, and Danny Stutsman all flashed today for the Saints, making splashy plays that make me excited to see what they can do for this team in the future. Kool-Aid had an interception in the endzone and a huge TFL on a late fourth down, Quincy Riley had an interception that was wrongfully called incomplete in my eyes, and Danny Stutsman absolutely destroyed Devon Achane on a run in the first half. If all three of these guys are hits, and if Jonas Sanker continues to play at a solid level, it really would be a great boost for this team’s future. It would mean they could focus more on improving the offensive side of the ball, and potentially go snag a playmaker to add to the defensive line across from Chase Young, such as Arvell Reese. Quincy Riley has become the true CB1 for the Saints in my eyes, as I feel his coverage has been better, but Kool-Aid has made multiple big splash plays that, in the future, hopefully change games for this team. 


Kellen Moore


 I said it last week, and I’ll say it again this week: I’m done with Kellen Moore. If the Saints want to succeed in the future, they should fire Kellen Moore after this crapshow of a season is over. Moore called a horrific game in the first half, scheming up routes short of the sticks consistently, as well as giving touches to Evan Hull over Devin Neal. This is no slight to Evan Hull, as he did look alright when he was given the ball, but this is a team that needs to see what they have in Devin Neal for the future of this team. In the second half, Devin Neal was leaned on in the run game, and it paid off, so why couldn’t they do that in the first half? In addition, Kellen Moore seemed to be calling plays off of his “recently called plays” section of the playsheet, like I always do in Madden, as he painfully called spacing over and over again. He consistently shows no emotion on the field, does not ever seem to discipline players who make mistakes, and seems not to know how to call a cohesive game as a playcaller. Could this be due to the Saints’ lack of offensive talent? Definitely. However, I do not believe that routes being designed to be run short of the sticks is an offensive talent issue. His reluctance to go up-tempo when that is clearly what is working best in a game as well is frustrating, and I pray he improves as this season finishes up. If Kellen Moore continues to have a stagnant offense, especially if he loses games to the Jets and/or Titans, his seat better heat up, and tough conversations must be had.


Offensive MVP: Devaughn Vele


Defensive MVP: Whole defense (minus Alontae Taylor, who single-handedly allowed the first touchdown)


Special Teams MVP: CHARLIE “THE IRISH HAMMER” SMYTH


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Why Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton RoyalWhy Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton Royal

By Auston Taylor • July 8, 2026
 LSU has made it clear that five-star wide receiver Easton Royal remains one of its top priorities in the 2027 recruiting class. Although Royal is currently committed to Texas, LSU has continued to recruit him aggressively. Based on recent recruiting events and public reporting, one factor that could strengthen the Tigers' position is the presence of quarterback commit Peyton "Pop" Houston. While no outcome is guaranteed in recruiting, Houston's relationship with Royal has become one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding LSU's 2027 class. According to recruiting coverage from The Opening and reports from And The Valley Shook, Houston and Royal showcased noticeable chemistry while competing together on the national stage. Houston also drew attention by winning the event's longest throw competition with a reported 67-yard throw, further reinforcing why many evaluators consider him one of the premier quarterback prospects in the 2027 class. In my view, Houston has the potential to become much more than another highly rated offensive commitment. Elite quarterbacks often become magnets for other top recruits, and early signs suggest Houston could have that kind of influence on LSU's 2027 recruiting class. Why Houston Matters in Royal's Recruitment Quarterback and wide receiver relationships have become one of the most influential factors in modern recruiting. Elite receivers aren't simply choosing a school—they're choosing an offense, a coaching staff, and perhaps most importantly, the quarterback who will help maximize their abilities. If Royal ultimately views Houston as LSU's quarterback of the future, it gives the Tigers another compelling selling point. Rather than asking Royal to imagine what the offense could become, LSU can point to chemistry that has already been displayed during national recruiting events. That doesn't guarantee a commitment flip, but it does provide LSU with something tangible that few recruiting pitches can offer: an established connection between two elite prospects. LSU's History Shows Why This Matters LSU's greatest offensive seasons have consistently featured elite quarterbacks throwing to elite receivers. During the Tigers' historic 2019 National Championship season, Joe Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy while throwing to arguably the greatest receiving corps in college football history—Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. That offense rewrote NCAA record books and remains the standard for modern college football offenses. A few years later, history repeated itself. Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy while benefiting from one of the nation's most explosive receiving duos in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Daniels' remarkable development was certainly his own, but LSU's elite receiving talent allowed the offense to reach another level. The lesson is clear: great quarterbacks elevate receivers, but elite receivers also help quarterbacks reach championship-level production. That history gives LSU a compelling message for recruits considering Baton Rouge. Peyton "Pop" Houston's Development Houston's rise as one of Louisiana's premier quarterback prospects is backed by more than recruiting rankings. Evaluators consistently praise his arm strength, touch, ability to extend plays outside the pocket, and willingness to attack defenses vertically. His continued development at Evangel Christian Academy has made him one of the foundation pieces of LSU's 2027 recruiting class. The Bigger Picture If LSU eventually pairs Peyton Houston with Easton Royal, it would represent much more than another recruiting victory. It would signal that LSU landed a quarterback capable of attracting elite talent around him while adding a receiver willing to build alongside that vision. Programs that consistently compete for championships often see recruiting momentum build this way. Elite quarterbacks attract receivers. Elite receivers attract additional offensive talent. Once that cycle begins, recruiting classes can quickly become special. None of this guarantees that Easton Royal will flip his commitment. Texas remains in a strong position, and recruiting decisions can change for countless reasons. However, Houston's emergence gives LSU something every elite program hopes to have: a quarterback capable of becoming the centerpiece of an entire recruiting class. LSU has already witnessed what happens when championship-caliber quarterbacks are paired with elite receivers. Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. If Peyton "Pop" Houston eventually helps bring Easton Royal to Baton Rouge, it could become one of the defining recruiting stories of LSU's 2027 class—and perhaps the first step toward building another explosive Tiger offense.

Tight End Room Outlook: Revamped and Ready To Roll

By Kaden Arkeder • July 4, 2026
The tight end room has some fresh blood and they look poised to be more impactful heading into next season. With the new arrivals of Noah Fant and third round draft pick Oscar Delp the offense will have the ability to play more in multiple tight end sets to create mismatches for the defense. Multiple tight end sets should allow the Saints to improve the run game and conversely the play action game. Playing in tight end heavy sets was something they were unable to do more of last year due to injuries and lack of talent at the tight end position. Mainstay and the only returning starting caliber player is Juwan Johnson. Johnson had a good year last year as one of the few reliable targets in the passing game aside from Chris Olave. Johnson is looking to build on a solid year where he had 77 receptions for 889 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. He was a security blanket when Rattler was starting and had quite a few big plays when Shough took over as the starting quarterback. With Shough coming into the season as the presumed starter I expect their connection to be even better next season. Someone hoping to have a better connection with a new QB is Noah Fant. Fant was a first round pick back in 2019 with the Broncos but has never quite lived up to his draft status. Fant will be playing on his third team in three years as he seeks to be a quality rotational piece in the offense and find stability for his career here in New Orleans. Fant should be utilized more in the passing game than in the running game but should be able to hold his own when called upon to do his part on run downs. Fant has been on a statistical decline since his time with Denver as his best receiving season came in at 68/670/4 back in 2021. Although his stats have been declining Fant still has plenty to offer with his athleticism and should produce more given a better opportunity. After Fant in the depth chart should be Oscar Delp who could be the x-factor of the tight end room after being selected in the third round of the draft this year. Delp brings a versatile option to the offense as he can lineup in various spots and handle the rigors of blocking in the run game. Delp’s calling card in college was his elite athleticism which jumps off the screen when you watch his tape. He has the ability to turn a five yard catch into an explosive play with how quickly he can get to top speed. Delp is an adequate, willing blocker where like most new tight ends in the league has room to improve in the blocking area of his game. With his versatility and athleticism I believe Delp will play a pivotal role in the offense this upcoming season. With Delp presumed to round out the depth chart at tight end the remaining tight ends will be competing for spots on the practice squad or spots on another team. This group includes Cody Hardy, Treyton Welch, Moliki Matavao, and Zaire Mitchell-Paden. We’ve seen Welch and Matavao from last season fill in admirably after some injuries but are best served as bench options at this point in time in their development. This group of roster hopefuls should hopefully provide some good competition from one another as we progress through training camp and preseason here shortly. Overall this group has a lot more promise heading into this season as it did last year. By getting younger and more athletic the tight ends will play a more prominent role in Kellen Moore’s offense. Whether it’s Juwan building on last season or Fant having a bounce back year or Delp proving to be revelation, the team is going to have plenty of options to choose from to attack the defense. Exactly what this team needed after not having enough last season.
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