New Orleans Saints vs Arizona Cardinals 2025 Week 1 Recap

Greyson Jenkins • September 7, 2025

The Saints may have a new era underway, with new coaches and players, but the feeling sitting in many fans’ stomachs is eerily familiar. 

In Kellen Moore’s debut as a head coach, many similar mishaps from last season were present: questionable time management, disgustingly vanilla playcalling, pre-snap penalties left and right, the defense letting up big plays on 3rd downs, and oh, Chris Olave almost got killed again. The storyline of the game was also a mirror image of games from the previous regime, as the team built optimism early, then made fans consider breaking out the brown bags, just to rebuild that hope and break every heart in the dome in the end. With all that being said, let’s break it down.


What I was Looking for


The Saints are a team clearly trying to cover up a rebuild, so I was by no means expecting much, but I was hoping to see some young players show promise. The notes I made before the game to look for were: 


  • How does Kool-Aid look against Marvin Harrison Jr.? Does he look like a CB1?
  • Does Rattler look calm, cool, and collected in the pocket, and is he making good decisions?
  • Can the Saints' defense finally stop a mobile QB with Staley at the Helm? (While noting that Chase Young is missing)
  • What is the target share between Olave and Shaheed?


 Kool-Aid:  Kool-Aid McKinstry’s performance left more to be desired, but also showed that there is a possibility for him to grow into a solid player for the Saints, just maybe not that true CB1. Throughout the game, it felt as if the Cardinals were targeting him, and perhaps the defensive play calls weren’t doing him any favors (man-to-man at the end zone against a mesh concept). He had a good PBU against MHJ that appeared clean, only to be wiped away by a late PI call. MHJ then beat him on solid coverage on a go ball, and he also had a bad mistake on a long run down the sideline, where he failed to force Trey Benson out of bounds. 


 Rattler:  Spencer Rattler’s day was also a mixed bag, but it felt like Kellen Moore’s playcalling was extremely limiting Rattler’s ability to air it out. Spencer Rattler finished the day with 214 yards from 27 completions, with 0 touchdowns or interceptions. It felt as though Kellen Moore didn’t fully trust Rattler in this one, calling what felt like a short hitch/slant followed by a run over and over until the Saints' final two drives. The only two times before that drive that Rattler really let loose were two deep ball attempts to Rashid Shaheed, one being a pick called back by a Cardinals penalty, and the other being a missed PI. The first throw was a poor decision, as Shaheed never seemed to come open, whereas the second was good ball placement on a fade. In the final two drives of the game, Rattler made good decision after good decision, and gave Juwan Johnson the chance to tie the game with a perfectly thrown pass down the seam, which was sadly dropped. With all this being said, I don’t think Rattler was good or bad, and I would love to see the performance on the final two drives spread out throughout the rest of the game (which could also mean adjusting the playcalling throughout). 


 Defense vs. Murray:  The Saints defense has struggled massively with mobile quarterbacks for what feels like an eternity, so what we saw today felt slightly better than I expected. Although Kyler Murray was able to escape a few times and extend drives with his legs early, having 38 yards on 7 carries, the Saints' defense felt like they were able to slow him down when it got to crunch time. In this game, the Saints were also without their lead man in pressures from last season, Chase Young. Without him, they demanded more from Cam Jordan and Carl Granderson, who both absolutely balled out, with 1.5 sacks each. When we all went into this game, did any of us expect Cam Jordan to have 1.5 sacks?!? Although it’s not the younger guys stepping up, I will take that from a guy who has been talked about as simply a “vet presence” in the locker room.


 Target Share, Who’s the WR1:  An interesting wrinkle in this training camp was that Rashid Shaheed was seemingly getting the same, if not more, targets than the team’s WR1, Chris Olave. In this game, Olave finished with 54 yards from 7 receptions on 13 targets, and Shaheed finished with 33 yards from 6 receptions on 9 targets. The majority of these receptions came short of the sticks, with an exception here and there. Shaheed did not seem to be involved in the game at all until the second half, which felt like another misstep in gameplanning by Kellen Moore. 


The Offense


The Good:  The Saints' offense had some great runs from Alvin Kamara (11 car, 45 yds, 1 td) and Kendre Miller (5 car, 24 yds), with Devin Neal also stepping in with a couple of nice runs (2 car, 9 yds). Another reflection from the previous season popped up, with the team's leading receiver from the previous season, Juwan Johnson, stepping up big time (8 rec, 76 yards). He did “drop” the potential game-tying pass from Spencer Rattler, but the defender made a great play on the ball to hit it out. Rattler had flashes, as I previously mentioned, so he held off the “Tyler Shough should be playing” conversation for at least another week. 


The Bad:  The Saints' offense had more bad moments than good today, with numerous penalties both pre and post-snap by the offensive line stalling drives. Kellen Moore, coming over as an offensive-minded head coach and as one who focused on building the OL this offseason, should be able to have these penalties held to a minimum. The playcalling by Moore also felt really iffy as passing concepts seemed to all go short of the sticks, even on late downs. In addition, the run game became very predictable, and also fell non-existent in the second half. Something that feels like a gimme for this team, year in, year out, are targets for Alvin Kamara in the passing game, and no screens or designed dump-offs to him seemed like an idea to Moore. The Saints went 5-14 on 3rd down and 1-4 in the red zone, both of which need to be improved.


The Defense


 The Good:  The Saints' defense had flashes early, with quick pressures often to start and finish the game. The defense finished with 5 sacks, without Chase Young, a number they can look to improve upon each week when he comes back. Both linebackers, Demario Davis and Pete Werner, looked poised yet again, making plays all across the field and making good tackles. The safety play by Justin Reid felt noticeable in the run game, as he came up and made tackles throughout the game. Oh, and Alontae Taylor is still that dude in the slot. 


 The Bad:  After the pressures accrued early in the game, in the middle of it, they felt non-existent. It felt as though Kyler had lots of time in the pocket, and that no edge was being set on the run game. For this Saints team to be better than expectations, the pressure needs to be present all game, and they can’t afford not to set the edge. The cornerback play looked iffy at best from everyone not named Alontae Taylor, with the Cardinals attacking both Yiadom and McKinstry when paired against MHJ or McBride. 


Special Teams:  The only good for this unit is that Kendre Miller, Rashid Shaheed, and Bryan Bresee are still on the roster. Kendre Miller and Rashid Shaheed provide great energy and potential for every kick and punt return, and Bryan Bresee feels built to block field goals. On the other hand, the coverage units on both sides were hit or miss, leading me to question even more the decision to cut JT Gray. Oh, and Blake Grupe pulled a Blake Grupe on a short field goal after being seemingly perfect all preseason and training camp.


Closing and Team MVPs


All in all, this game felt like one the Saints could have easily won if they were more polished on both sides of the ball, something we have been saying for years. The start to the Kellen Moore era has me questioning his decisions, but I’ll give him some time and grace to see if things improve. I shouldn’t feel like the old vets are the only thing providing sparks on a rebuilding team, but today that’s how it felt. 


Offensive MVP: Alvin Kamara


Defensive MVP: Cam Jordan


Special Teams MVP: Bryan Bresee


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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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