Evaluating the Contributing Factors To Saints’ Slow Start

The New Orleans Saints are struggling. There is no two ways about it. After an offseason filled with optimism and excitement, the concern level is high after five weeks. After two weeks, the Saints sported a 1-1 record, but the optimism was still there after a loss to Detroit by one point and an inspired comeback win over the Ravens in Baltimore. Since then, the Saints have dropped three straight games, with the last two sparking the most concern.

So, what is the issue? Unfortunately, there isn't just one data point, side of the ball, or sequence of plays to point to and say Let's fix it. When the schedule came out, the first five games were going to be tough regardless of how teams would actually perform in 2026. Detroit, Baltimore, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Minnesota may have looked one way when the schedule was released, but the Raiders and Falcons are better than expected, and Minnesota's defense is playing at an all-world level.

Let's try and nail down two issues for the Saints to address after five weeks.

The offensive line badly misses Kelvin Banks, Jr

The Saints' offensive line, when healthy, is a strength. Going this long without Kelvin Banks, Jr. has proven to be tough to adapt to. Asim Richards replaced Banks, and the left tackle allowed pressure percentage has ballooned to 30.3%. A deeper look is more troubling. Richards has allowed 17 pressures, ten hurries, six QB hits, and a sack on 144 pass-blocking snaps.

For reference, Banks allowed six pressures, four hurries, and two sacks on 94 pass-blocking snaps. On 50 more snaps, Richards has allowed 11 more pressures, six more hurries, and one fewer sack. The Saints need Banks back as soon as possible.

The Saints defense has taken a major step backwards

Chase Young aside, the Saints defense is getting beat up badly in 2026. Allowing the second most points per game at 30.2 is bad enough, but 361 yards per game is tough to overcome despite having five takeaways and ten sacks through five weeks. 

Missed tackles is an issue with 38 on the season so far. The secondary is getting torched.

Passer rating allowed for Saints defensive backs:

Jonas Sanker - 27 targets, 124.1 passer rating allowed

Justin Reid - 18 targets, 120.1 passer rating allowed

Quincy Riley - 23 targets, 116.8 passer rating allowed

Kool-Aid McKinstry - 28 targets, 102.5 passer rating allowed 

Ouch.