The New Orleans Saints traveled to Seattle and suffered a 44-13 defeat at the hands of the Seahawks. It is the first 0-3 start to a season since 2016 for the Saints.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Saints had a few good plays on the opening drive, but the possession stalled as Spencer Rattler’s pass to Alvin Kamara on fourth and two was incomplete. The Seahawks took over at their own 45-yard line and needed only six plays to find the end zone, as Sam Darnold found Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 12-yard touchdown.
After a three-and-out by the Saints, the Seahawks extended their lead with a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown by Tory Horton. The Saints’ next possession ended in disaster with Kai Kroeger’s punt being blocked. New Orleans recovered it, but it was still Seattle’s ball at the 11-yard line. Two plays later, Kenneth Walker III punched it in from three yards out.
At the end of the first quarter, Seattle led 21-0. That deficit was the second-largest first-quarter deficit in Saints history, trailing only the 24-0 disadvantage to the Rams in 1980.
New Orleans opened the second quarter with a 16-play, 65-yard drive but had to settle for a 27-yard field goal by Blake Grupe. The kickoff ended with Seattle returning it 60 yards. With a short field, Seattle’s offense needed only three plays to find the end zone as Darnold connected with Horton for a 14-yard touchdown.
After a three-and-out by the Saints, the Seahawks needed only four plays to find the end zone again. Darnold found Smith-Njigba for a 45-yard pass, and three plays later, Walker scored on a one-yard touchdown.
After New Orleans missed a field goal, the two teams ended the first half with both making field goals. At the break, Seattle led 38-6.
The Seahawks added a pair of field goals in the third quarter, and heading to the fourth, Seattle led 44-6.
The Saints finally scored a touchdown early in the fourth when Rattler found Jack Stoll open for a 13-yard touchdown. Those proved to be the final points scored in the lopsided contest.
BIG NUMBER I: 38
The Saints gave up 38 points in the first half, which is the most allowed in franchise history. It is also tied for the most given up in any half in Saints history, matching the mark given up in one half in a 62-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons back in 1973.
BIG NUMBER II: 10
The Saints’ woeful Sunday was made worse by a rash of penalties as Kellen Moore’s team was flagged 10 times in the first half, but two were declined. For the game, New Orleans was flagged 11 times for 77 yards.
BIG NUMBER III: 229
In a Sunday afternoon to forget, Cam Jordan made franchise history as he played in his 229th career regular-season game. That surpassed Drew Brees for the most all-time in Saints history.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: CHRIS OLAVE
The lone bright spot on offense was Chris Olave, who led the team in receptions (10), receiving yards (57), and targets (14).
UP NEXT: New Orleans (0-3) will travel again next week when it plays at Buffalo (3-0) on Sunday. Kickoff is set for noon.
