The New Orleans Saints showed what their offense can look like when quarterback Tyler Shough does not have to carry it alone. Shough threw three touchdowns and added a rushing score in Sunday’s 34-27 win over the New York Giants, while a season-high 175 rushing yards gave him the balance the offense has lacked during its three-game skid. The problem: New Orleans drifted away from that aggressive formula with a 24-point lead and nearly let the game get away.
Shough completed 16 of 30 passes for 144 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 32 rushing yards on five carries, including a quarterback sneak touchdown. The production did not require a high-volume passing day because the run game repeatedly created manageable situations and allowed the offense to stay on schedule.
Running backs Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and C.J. Donaldson accounted for 143 of the rushing yards. Miller led the group with 20 carries for 70 yards, while Kamara ran for 34 yards and turned a short pass into a 31-yard touchdown. That foundation also helped create the opportunity for wide receiver Chris Olave’s 18-yard touchdown catch, which pushed the lead to 34-10.
Locked On Saints host Ross Jackson said Shough did not need to play “hero ball” because the ground game controlled the game’s middle portion. Jackson also questioned whether Saints head coach Kellen Moore moved to a four-minute approach and began resting starters too early, a sequence that left the offense scrambling to regain control after Donaldson’s late fumble helped fuel the Giants’ comeback.
The distinction matters for Shough’s development. The Saints do not need him to manufacture every answer when the rushing attack is working, but they do need the offense to retain its identity after building a lead. Pulling back too soon invited pressure onto a quarterback who had spent most of the afternoon operating from favorable downs and distances.
New Orleans heads to Paris at 2-4 to face the Pittsburgh Steelers for Week 7 on Sunday, Oct. 25. Jackson called the matchup a measuring stick for whether the Saints can finish a game with their offense still dictating terms instead of relying on a final defensive stop.
Saints News and Notes
– Starting right guard Cesar Ruiz (knee) left the game, but rookie guard Jeremiah Wright stepped in without derailing the run game. Jackson said Wright’s physicality and energy stood out, giving the staff a viable option if Ruiz cannot play at full strength against Pittsburgh.
– Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. seized his opportunity after Kool-Aid McKinstry left with a migraine. Emerson recorded seven tackles, four passes defended and two interceptions, strengthening New Orleans’ depth at a position that had looked thin entering the season.
– Linebacker Isaiah Stalbird forced a kickoff fumble that rookie tight end Oscar Delp recovered, setting up the Saints’ scoring surge. The special-teams takeaway helped turn an early 10-0 deficit into a 34-10 advantage.
More New Orleans Saints Essentials
- 5 Best Quarterbacks in Saints History
- 5 Best Running Backs in Saints History
- 5 Best Wide Receivers in Saints History
- NFL’s Richest Owners: Where Does Gayle Benson Rank?
Some or all of this content may have been generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, AI can occasionally produce incorrect information. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
