What we learned, what is trending and final thoughts from the Saints 34-24 loss in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — The very first game in Allegiant Stadium — the gorgeous new home of the now-Las Vegas Raiders … well, it went well for the home team. 

The Saints jumped out to a quick start, but they fizzled out quickly thereafter in a 34-24 road loss to the Raiders that might’ve exposed some critical weak points that need to be shored up in a short week.

Here’s a quick take from Monday night’s loss in Las Vegas. 

What we learned

As deep as this Saints roster is — and Monday’s game does not change that — there is some sort of flaw with this team that needs to be addressed and patched in the coming weeks. The offense was missing its spark — that they didn’t capitalize in a two-minute drill in the second quarter or off a turnover in the fourth quarter is indicative that something is wrong. The defense — for the final three quarters — was having the game dictated to it rather than the other way around. The end result made for tough prime-time viewing.

Trending now

Once again, the Saints spent the majority of the game in their sub defensive packages, and ostensibly, these defensive formations should make it easier to defend the pass. But that was not the case Monday, as Raiders quarterback Derek Carr shredded the Saints for 282 yards on 28 completions, finishing the game with a 120.7 passer rating. The Saints had no answer for tight end Darren Waller and his 12 catches for 103 yards. The secondary had a tough day, but the nonexistent pass rush the last three quarters didn’t help things.

Final thoughts

The defense has some questions to answer, but ultimately, these Saints are going to go as far as their offense goes, and this offense that has taken the field through two weeks in 2020 is not going to be enough. Through two weeks the Saints have looked like a below-average NFL offense, which is something that has never been said of a team with Sean Payton as head coach. Not having Michael Thomas didn’t help, but this can’t all be pinned on his absence. Frankly, the Saints need Drew Brees to play like Drew Brees.

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