Despite Tyler Shough’s explosive yardage, costly giveaways are sabotaging the Saints’ season. Tightening ball security is now the only way to survive a surging Falcons divisional threat.
The New Orleans Saints are struggling through three games. The Saints fell to 1-2 in Sunday's 35-27 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
NFL analysts are looking for causes of their problems and solutions to those issues. According to one analyst, those issues might not be that difficult to find.
Nate Coolong of Athlon Sports opined on what is right and wrong with the New Orleans offense through three games. He contends that starting quarterback Tyler Shough could be the difference the team needs in reaching its goals.
"Shough has thrown for 917 yards through three games, second in the NFL, with eight touchdown passes. He threw for 410 yards in the 31-30 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions and scored on a 1-yard run late in the comeback win over the Baltimore Ravens.
New Orleans ranks 13th in offensive EPA per play, according to Sumer Sports. That puts the Saints in the top half of the league with a second-year quarterback.
Monday brings another good defense. The Falcons rank eighth in defensive EPA per play, per Sumer Sports."
Shough's production may not be the problem, but one area area of his game may be problematic. Nate Coolong explains that turnovers have been a recurring problem for New Orleans and that it is costing the team dearly. Here's what he added on the topic.
"Shough had three giveaways against the Raiders: an interception and two lost fumbles. It was the second time in three games he turned it over three times in a loss, after two interceptions and a lost fumble against Detroit.
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski gave Shough a C-plus for Week 3 and wrote that he “has yet to put together a complete game.” Shough has the physical tools, and his mistakes have come at the worst times.
Both Saints losses came by one score or less. Against a Falcons team that just forced its way back into the division race, one more giveaway on Monday could decide it."
Sep 27, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) is sacked by Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) in the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesIt could be as simple as winning the turnover battle for the Saints. New Orleans' struggles fall in line with how most teams fare when turnovers become an issue.
Teams that force more turnovers than they lose win the game around 70% of the time. That is true across several levels of football and not just in the pros. Win the turnover battle by three or more turnovers and your chances to win enter the 90% or more range.
To win the turnover battle consistently, the Saints will also need to force more turnovers. We'll see if they make the adjustment over the next few games.
