A moral victory isn't an option against the New York Giants. The expectation was for the New Orleans Saints to lose their first four games going into the season. Kellen Moore was going into his first season as a head coach, and the Saints are starting an inexperienced Spencer Rattler under center. The struggling defense from a year ago didn't add much to change their outlook.
There was every reason to doubt this Saints team in the first month of the season, and they were regularly counted out. It could be argued that the Saints have actually over-performed through four games. They have the same 0-4 record many expected, but outside of Week 3, the games have been more competitive than projected.
It's been easy to walk away from these games with moral victories because there was no expectation or belief in the Saints to leave victorious. That changes against the Giants. They aren't facing a superior opponent or a fringe playoff team. The Saints are facing a team on their level and walking away from this game saying, "at least it was close" would be a failure.
Spencer Rattler needs this win more than anyone else on the Saints
In a way, Rattler is the embodiement of moral victories as a player. There has been a rightful focus on the development of him as a player. Through most games, he's shown growth from last year and has done good things in a losing effort. Outside of the immense odds being stacked against him, you can say many of the same things about Rattler, the player, as the Saints, the team.
Just playing solid won't be enough versus the Giants. You have your first game that truly feels winnable, and Rattler needs to win it. Unless the Saints find themselves in a shootout, the loss will likely be held against him whether he's the biggest culprit or not. If Rattler doesn't get a win, the chatter around Tyler Shough's starting debut will only grow louder.
Rattler's position as the Saints starting quarterback has been heavily debated. However, even the staunchest of Rattler's supporters understand he has to win a game eventually. It doesn't matter how much wins not being a quarterback stat is preached, they will always be the ultimate evaluator for a quarterback, especially win you're winless in 10 attempts.