Saints say turnovers cost them in 35-27 home loss to Raiders, aim to regroup
New Orleans lost 35-27 to the Las Vegas Raiders in its home opener at the Caesars Superdome, a defeat defined by late miscues and costly turnovers that erased a 27-16 third-quarter lead. The loss dropped New Orleans to 1-2 as the club prepared to host the Atlanta Falcons on Monday. Emotions ran high during the home opener as the Saints squandered a late lead. Coach Kellen Moore and players urged focus on correction rather than reaction.
Coach Kellen Moore said the team must take the emotion out of the result and focus on correcting mistakes. “I think the big thing for us is, take the emotion out of it and just keep going,” Moore said. He noted the Saints were effective in the run game, in the red zone and on third down, but turnovers undermined those strengths. Moore added the club had opportunities in the fourth quarter to close the game and must do a better job protecting the football.
The Saints committed four turnovers in the fourth quarter as the Raiders outscored them 13-0 in the final period. New Orleans had outscored its first two opponents 25-3 in fourth quarters, but the turnovers proved decisive in the loss. The team has committed seven turnovers in its two defeats and none in its lone victory.
Tight end Juwan Johnson finished with eight catches for 53 yards and two touchdowns Sunday and has 15 catches for 173 yards and three touchdowns on the season, tying his touchdown total from last season. Johnson acknowledged his late lost fumble, which occurred with 53 seconds remaining, and said he was careless with the ball. He said the team must play smarter and focus on securing the football moving forward. “I feel like that’s the approach that we should have,” Johnson said.
Moore provided an injury update and said running back Travis Etienne Jr. will miss time with a hamstring issue. He said the team will update the statuses of edge rushers Carl Granderson (ankle) and Anfernee Jennings (knee) and linebacker Pete Werner (stinger) later in the week. Moore did not provide a specific timeline for Etienne’s return. The coaching staff said it will offer further evaluations and updates as they become available.
Tight end Noah Fant, a free-agent addition this offseason, has caught eight passes for 66 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those touchdown catches came Sunday against the Raiders. Juwan Johnson credited Fant and the offseason work that helped integrate him into the offense, saying the players pushed each other throughout the offseason. “I told him to come here last year. We’re glad he’s here now,” Johnson said.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Turnovers have defined the early Saints season and remain the clearest impediment to consistent results. New Orleans showed it can run the ball and convert in the red zone, but four fourth-quarter turnovers erased a lead and swung the game. The loss of Travis Etienne Jr. to a hamstring issue complicates immediate plans and elevates the importance of ball security and situational execution. Expect the club to prioritize fundamentals 14 securing the football, situational play-calling and third-down execution 14 as it seeks cleaner, full-game performances.