Fourth-quarter turnovers and a stagnant ground game derailed New Orleans’ momentum, proving that missed opportunities in situational execution ultimately handed Las Vegas a late-game surge.
Despite the final play resulting in a Juwan Johnson fumble, the New Orleans Saints had every opportunity to walk out of the Caesars Superdome with another statement victory Sunday. Instead, a game that was tied 27-27 entering the fourth quarter turned into a frustrating 35-27 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
For three quarters, New Orleans showed it could trade punches with Las Vegas. The Saints scored 14 points in the third quarter and entered the final period tied. Then everything changed. New Orleans failed to score in the fourth quarter while the Raiders put up 13 points and made the critical plays when the game was hanging in the balance.
The Saints didn't need to completely reinvent their offense to win this game. They simply needed better execution in a handful of situations. Here are five things I believe the offense could have done differently.
1. Shough Had to Protect the Football in the Fourth Quarter
Tyler Shough has already shown that he isn't afraid of the moment. Coming into this matchup, his ability to generate explosive plays had become one of the most exciting parts of the Saints offense. The Raiders themselves entered the game focused on limiting those big plays and forcing Shough to remain patient.
That patience became especially important late.
The fourth-quarter interception was the play that changed the feel of the game. Instead of New Orleans controlling its own destiny, the turnover helped put Las Vegas in position to take control and eventually push the advantage to 35-27.
This is where Shough has to understand the situation. Sometimes the best quarterback play isn't the spectacular throw. It's checking the ball down, throwing it away or living to play another down.
That doesn't mean I want Shough becoming conservative. His aggressiveness is part of what makes this offense dangerous. But there's a difference between being aggressive and forcing the football when the game situation doesn't require it.
In a tie game in the fourth quarter, possession is everything.
2. The Saints Needed More Balance From the Running Game
The Saints cannot continue putting the entire offense on Shough's shoulders.
Las Vegas entered the game with one of the NFL's most disruptive pass rushes through the first two weeks, and Maxx Crosby was already a major concern for a New Orleans offensive line playing without Kelvin Banks Jr.
That's exactly when the running game needs to become the quarterback's best friend.
New Orleans needed more commitment to creating manageable second- and third-down situations. Even four-yard runs matter because they keep the defense from simply attacking the quarterback.
The Saints have enough talent in their backfield to make opponents respect the run. Travis Etienne Jr. entered Week 3 averaging 4.2 yards per carry on the season.
Against an aggressive Raiders front, the Saints could have mixed in more runs, screens and quick passes designed to punish Las Vegas for attacking downhill.
You don't neutralize a pass rush by repeatedly dropping your quarterback back and hoping he escapes it. Sometimes you neutralize it by making those defenders hesitate.
3. Kellen Moore Could Have Given Shough More Easy Throws Late
One thing I would have liked to see more of in the fourth quarter was a simplified passing attack.
Quick slants. Screens. Running back checkdowns. Tight end routes. Designed throws that get the football out of Shough's hands before the Raiders pass rush can become a factor.
Shough doesn't need every completion to travel 20 yards.
Before this game, Las Vegas openly discussed the importance of keeping New Orleans' explosive passing game in front of its defense and forcing Shough into a more patient underneath attack.
Sometimes you have to take what the defense gives you.
If they're determined to protect against Chris Olave beating them deep, make them defend eight-, nine- and 10-play drives instead. Move the chains. Make the linebackers tackle. Force the secondary to keep coming downhill.
Then, once the defense starts creeping forward, take your shot. The Saints didn't need another highlight in the fourth quarter. They needed first downs.
4. The Fourth-and-1 Call Needed a Better Answer
This might be the play that bothers me the most.
On fourth-and-1, with the game essentially hanging in the balance, Shough ended up trying to make something happen with his legs, was hit, fumbled and the Saints failed to convert.
The game was over pretty much at this point.
I'm not against putting the football in Shough's hands on fourth-and-1. We've already seen that he can make plays with his legs in critical situations. But if you're going to ask your quarterback to get one yard, the design has to give him a legitimate opportunity to get downhill immediately.
No hesitation. No unnecessary development. Get behind your offensive line and move the chains.
And if the Saints weren't confident they could win that battle straight ahead, then use motion, misdirection or play-action to give Shough an immediate option in the flat.
One yard should not require your quarterback to become Superman.
Those situations are where offensive identity matters most. When everyone in the stadium knows you need one yard, what is the one play you trust? The Saints need an answer.
5. New Orleans Needed to Finish the Game With the Same Aggression It Showed in the Third Quarter
This is probably my biggest takeaway.
New Orleans scored 14 points in the third quarter and entered the fourth tied 27-27. Then the offense disappeared from the scoreboard while Las Vegas scored 13 unanswered fourth-quarter points.
That's the difference between playing well and finishing.
The Saints had momentum. They had the home crowd. They had already proven they could move the football against the Raiders defense.
But championship-level offenses don't simply have good stretches. They close games which means protecting the football, and converting fourth-and-1. That also means keeping your quarterback out of obvious passing situations.
My Two Pennies
I'm not walking away from this game thinking the Saints offense is broken. I'm walking away optimistic thinking it needs to mature.
Shough is talented, aggressive and willing to take chances. Those qualities are going to win New Orleans football games. But Sunday's loss showed the other side of having a young quarterback running an aggressive offense.
Sometimes you don't need the home-run throw, but sometimes you need eight yards, then six, then four, then another first down.
The fourth-quarter interception and failed fourth-and-1 will get most of the attention because they were the obvious turning points, but those plays represent a bigger issue which is situational football. The lack of conversions, fumbles and juggling of the football proved to be barriers and mistakes that need to change before the next match-up.
New Orleans had enough offense to win this game. What they didn't have was enough execution when the game demanded its best football.
The Raiders didn't completely shut the Saints down. They simply made the bigger plays when the fourth quarter arrived. And that's the lesson New Orleans has to take from the 35-27 loss.
