Someone on the New Orleans Saints has finally said it, or at least implied it: Improving isn't enough. The team has to win. Following the loss against the San Francisco 49ers, team captain Justin Reid said that the team is making strides, but not fast enough.
Following the loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, the Saints have started out the season 0-2. That has left many unsatisfied, including team captain Justin Reid. "We've got to pick up the intensity on that," Reid said to the media. "We have to feel the pressure of 'we have to start winning games' and start capitalizing on these situations."
For the Saints, it's the first time they've started out a season with two straight losses since 2014. But they've been making strides, like Justin Reid said. So far, the team has improved with each loss this season.
While the Saints offense improved on Sunday, their defense took two steps back
The New Orleans Saints, at least their offense, really did improve from week one to week two. They showed some grit and toughness in another near comeback win. Quarterback Spencer Rattler even had a career game, throwing for three touchdowns and 207 yards while completing 73% of his passes.
However, where the offense improved, the defense had a bit of regression. Too many times last Sunday did the defense of New Orleans give up a first down on a third and long. Too many times last Sunday did they let journeyman QB Mac Jones, who finished with nearly 300 passing yards, slice them up.
Too many times did they let the 49ers offense do what they want to do, is what Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says. "They got the ball out fast; they were able to complete reads. But we knew that they were going to get the ball out fast," Jordan said postgame. "You have to be able to tackle in front of the first down marker."
The defense will have a chance to redeem itself next Sunday when the Saints play their first road game against the Seattle Seahawks. The Saints' 2024 offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, now holds the same position in Seattle, giving them a slight advantage heading into week three.