Saints Insider

As the New Orleans Saints prepare to face the Las Vegas Raiders in a dead-rubber NFL game on Sunday at the Superdome, our Saints Insider crew looks at some of the Saints we'd like to see more of in these final two weeks. The list starts with running back Kendre Miller, who didn't get as many snaps as expected against the Packers on Monday night, but there are other players who need to show an impa...

The New Orleans Saints visit the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field for Monday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers. That would be tough for any team in December. But this is a Saints team with Spencer Rattler and a bunch of backups on offense with not much left to play for against a Packers team that can clinch a playoff spot. Add it all up, and the Saints are underdogs of a historic level. H...

With Derek Carr likely out for the rest of the season with his broken hand, the New Orleans Saints likely will turn to Spencer Rattler to start the final three games. What does that audition mean for Rattler's future? Is Jake Haener done in New Orleans? And what does Carr's injury mean for next year and beyond? Our Saints Insider crew of Times-Picayune beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras a...

The New Orleans Saints will take on the Washington Commanders on Sunday at the Superdome in a game that doesn't lack for storylines. • It's Jake Haener's debut as a starting quarterback • It's Jayden Daniels' return to Louisiana after winning the Heisman at LSU • It's Marshon Lattimore's return to the Saints • It's a revenge game for Saints defensive lineman Chase Young • And Darren Rizzi (3-1 as...

The New Orleans Saints are playing it coy with their decision on a starting quarterback. They haven't officially ruled out starter Derek Carr, who left Sunday's win over the Giants with a broken hand and concussion. Could Carr actually play this week against Washington? If he doesn't, what are the cases for his backups, Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler? Our Saints Insider crew breaks down the situa...

The New Orleans Saints face the New York Giants on Sunday, and while they're technically still alive in the chase for the NFL playoffs, it's getting to the point in the season where focus goes to individual performances and looking toward the future. To that end, we have an offensive player who may be in line for a big game against the Giants. Also in this preview episode: • Could Cam Jordan final...

With college football wrapped up in National Signing Day, the latest episode of Saints Insider takes a look at the six New Orleans Saints players who were five-star recruits coming out of high school. Can you guess the six along with our experts? After that, we go through those six one by one and see whether they've met expectations — or whether the jury is still out. Also on this episode: • Moves...

If the New Orleans Saints can beat the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday, they would be back in the thick of the NFC playoff picture, and interim coach Darren Rizzi would take a step toward consideration for permanent status. If they lose, December is going to be almost meaningless in the standings — and possibly for Rizzi, too. So can they take advantage? They'll have to stop a potent Rams attack and...

It's the day before Thanksgiving, so our Saints Insider crew is ready to make holiday wish lists for various members of the New Orleans Saints. This episode includes: • The best Thanksgiving side dish (wait till you hear Jeff Duncan's weird choice) • Darren Rizzi's path forward • The moment Derek Carr needs • Klint Kubiak and making adjustments • Improving the pass rush, short- and long-term • For...

New Orleans Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi is off to a flying start, winning his first two games. Is this just a two-game blip, or can he sustain momentum through the end of the season? And more pertinently, is he a candidate for the Saints' full-time job? Our Saints Insiders — Times-Picayune beat writers Matthew Paras and Luke Johnson, columnist Jeff Duncan and editor Zach Ewing — put on the R...

On the surface, it might seem like an NFL Week 11 game between two bad teams. But there are plenty of intriguing reasons to watch the 3-7 New Orleans Saints take on the 2-7 Cleveland Browns. Our Saints Insider crew — Times-Picayune beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras and columnists Jeff Duncan and Rod Walker — breaks it all down in this preview episode, including: * Whether Darren Rizzi ca...

The New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday to snap a seven-game losing streak in Darren Rizzi's debut as interim head coach. Was that an outlier result based on the energy that naturally comes with change? Or is Rizzi building something more sustainable? Our Saints Insider crew of Times-Picayune columnists Jeff Duncan and Rod Walker, beat writer Luke Johnson and host Zach Ewing brea...

The New Orleans Saints play their first game under interim head coach Darren Rizzi on Sunday against the rival Atlanta Falcons, a tough test but one the Saints will attack with renewed energy. Rizzi made plenty of immediate changes that players have taken notice of, increasing hope the Saints can at least partially turn around their season after Dennis Allen's firing. On the other hand, injuries a...

The New Orleans Saints have fired Dennis Allen and traded Marshon Lattimore, dramatically altering the course of the franchise for the rest of the season and beyond. Our Saints Insider crew — Times-Picayune beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras and columnists Jeff Duncan and Rod Walker — breaks down the changes in this episode, including: • Ultimately, why was Dennis Allen fired? • Whose dec...

The New Orleans Saints have lost six straight games, a skid that has transformed them from the NFL's darlings after two games to one of the worst teams in the league. Luckily for them, they face the consensus worst team in the league this week, the Carolina Panthers. Even better, they return starting quarterback Derek Carr from injury and show every sign of being able to get back to winning ways....

Saints coach Dennis Allen's job appears to be safe for now, despite a six-game losing streak that makes this year's Saints look like a lost cause. Our Saints Insiders — Times-Picayune columnists Jeff Duncan and Rod Walker, beat writer Matthew Paras and host Zach Ewing — break down the situation, including: • Why Mickey Loomis and the Saints continue to stay the course • What it would take to fire...

While Taylor Swift's Eras Tour takes over New Orleans and the Superdome, the Saints hit the road for a crucial game in Los Angeles against the Chargers, in desperate need of snapping their five-game losing streak. The Saints Insider crew breaks it all down, discussing whether the Saints' rest advantage and a bunch of returning healthy players is enough to dismiss doubts about Spencer Rattler and t...

The New Orleans Saints gave star running back Alvin Kamara a 2-year contract extension, securing his future in New Orleans through the 2026 season with $22 million guaranteed. Was the move worth it for the Saints, or are they just rewarding a franchise player for his past service? Also in this podcast: • Light at the end of the Saints' injury tunnel • What does Marquez Valdes-Scantling add? • The...

Everything about the 2024 New Orleans Saints seems to come to a crisis point Thursday night, when the Denver Broncos visit the Superdome. With the team riding a four-game winning streak and playing a half-dozen backups on offense, here comes the franchise's most successful coach, Sean Payton — on the same night legendary quarterback Drew Brees goes into the Saints Hall of Fame. Can the Saints deal...

The New Orleans Saints have lost four straight games after a red-hot start, and there's plenty of blame to go around. But general manager Mickey Loomis told WWL radio this week that he stands behind head coach Dennis Allen and that fans should "look beyond the results" to evaluate a team. But something is clearly wrong in New Orleans. Is it coaching after all? Injuries? Bad luck? Players who have...

The New Orleans Saints turn to rookie Spencer Rattler at quarterback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's a tough spot for the Saints, who are on short rest, facing a team with extra rest, and are starting Rattler behind an injury-riddled offensive line. Can they win? How would they win? Our Saints Insiders — Times-Picayune beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras, columnist Rod Walker and ho...

With starting quarterback Derek Carr expected to miss at least the next two games, the New Orleans Saints will need to turn to rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler or second-year pro Jake Haener for some crucial games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos. Our Saints Insiders — Times-Picayune Saints beat writers Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras and columnists Jeff Duncan and Rod Walker —...

The New Orleans Saints have lost two games in a row by razor-thin margins. The Kansas City Chiefs have made a habit of winning close games in their 4-0 start (not to mention the whole "back-to-back Super Bowl champion thing"). So can the Saints find a way to change that narrative and win on Monday Night Football at Arrowhead Stadium? One thing is for sure: It'd be the biggest win in the Dennis All...

The New Orleans Saints have the NFL record for point differential without having a winning record through four games. Are they just unlucky, or is poor execution in close games a repeated problem? And what about help from the outside? Several reports have the Saints listed as one of star receiver Davante Adams' preferred trade destinations. Should the Saints do the deal? Could they get him? What w...

The New Orleans Saints travel to face the Atlanta Falcons in a game that will help decide the course of the NFC South. It'll also decide who takes the lead in an all-time series that's tied 55-55, and of course it'll decide the latest bragging rights between two fierce rivals. The game is full of interesting matchups that are made more complicated by injury concerns on both sides. Our Saints Insid...