Saints Are 0-3, but Spencer Rattler is Not the Main Problem
It is likely not a surprise that the New Orleans Saints are 0-3.
What is a surprise is that Spencer Rattler has been playing like a competent NFL starting quarterback.
No disrespect to Rattler, but many thought having him as the starter would automatically mean a lost season for the Saints.
The season may be lost, but it is not Rattler’s fault.
Rattler has thrown for over 200 yards in each game this season. He only has one interception so far, which was in the blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3.
Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson, and Rashid Shaheed are three reliable and, at times, outstanding pass catchers.
Rattler has spread the wealth, though, finding Devaughn Vele and Jack Stoll in the end zone in Weeks 2 and 3, respectively.
Discounting the Week 3 demolition at the hands of the Seahawks, the Saints have been competitive this season.
Their problems are similar to those of other winless teams in the NFL this season.
First and foremost, penalties.
The Saints were called for 13 penalties in Week 1, seven in Week 2, and 11 in Week 3.
Their opponents had fewer penalties and penalty yards in each game.
Another problem for the Saints is that they can’t stop the pass. They have zero interceptions this season, and they have given up over 200 passing yards in their last two games.
In Week 1, when Kyler Murray only threw for 163 yards, he still had two passing touchdowns.
The Saints have eight sacks so far, which is a good number, but they got five in week 1 against the Cardinals.
A final reason for the Saints’ slow start.
Alvin Kamara.
Kamara has been remarkably ineffective, with 186 total rushing yards through the first three weeks of the season.
He needs to get going to take some of the pressure off Rattler and provide him with another weapon.
Kamara is a receiving threat, but this season, he only has 47 receiving yards.
The Saints probably won’t stack up the wins this season, but if they can get these problems fixed and get Kamara going, then they could be a pesky team that can spoil the party for the big teams now and then, like the Cleveland Browns did in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers.
If the Saints don’t fix these issues, though, things could spiral out of control. A lot of the blame will be placed unfairly on Spencer Rattler. But if he keeps playing how he’s been playing, and gets the help he needs, he could make the Saints rethink what to do with the high draft pick they’ll have next year.