2 winners (and 2 biggest losers) for Saints in Week 6 loss to Buccaneers

The New Orleans Saints are stuck in a funk. They have now lost four straight games, and each loss is more embarrassing than the last. The most recent lost came on Sunday, with the team falling to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 51-27.

From ugly play to injuries, pretty much everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Still, there were some glimmering moments of hope from the Saints in Sunday’s loss. While the majority of the team finished as losers, there were a couple of winners. Let’s look at those winners, as well as the two biggest losers.

Winners from Saints Week 6 loss to Buccaneers

2. Spencer Rattler

Spencer Rattler made the first start of his career and it was a bit of a roller coaster. However, that’s expected with a rookie quarterback. Ultimately, it’s safe to say Rattler delivered a performance that gave fans a reason to be excited about his future.

He completed 22-of-40 passes for 243 yards, one touchdown, and an interception, while also adding 27 yards on the ground. In the first half, he was in complete control of the game, and fans were ready to name him the starter for the rest of the season. However, in the second half, he and the offense struggled with blitz and simulated pressures. Both of his interceptions also came in the second half.

Ultimately, it was a stereotypical debut for a talented rookie; some good and some bad. The good, though, was good enough for fans to have hope.

1. Bub Means

When Chris Olave left the game with a concussion after the Saints’ first offensive drive, fans were worried about where New Orleans would get it’s receiver production from. Rookie receiver Bub Means used this as an opportunity to announce himself as a contributor for New Orleans.

He was targeted eight times on Sunday, and finished the game with five receptions for 45 yards and the first touchdown of his career. It was the best game for a Saints receiver not named Chris Olave or Rashid Shaheed this season. Now, the hope is Means will be able to remain productive with Olave and Shaheed in the lineup, giving the team a consistent WR3.

Losers Winners from Saints Week 6 loss to Buccaneers

2. The entire defense

New Orleans’ defense is supposed to be the strength of the team. They’re a veteran group with multiple stars and depth. With the Saints starting a rookie quarterback on Sunday, the defense was supposed to help Rattler out. In part, they did, recording three interceptions.

Unfortunately, that’s the only good thing the defense did on Sunday. When they weren’t taking the ball away, they were giving up 594 yards and displaying atrocious tackle attempts.

1. Dennis Allen

Dennis Allen has to have the hottest seat in the NFL. As head coach, everything that’s going wrong for New Orleans falls back on him. He didn’t have any success in his first two years prior to this season, and he’s currently having his worst year yet. Additionally, he can’t even hang his hat on a good defense, because the unit is playing terrible right now.

If things continue down this road for New Orleans, Dennis Allen will no longer be the team’s coach.

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