The New Orleans Saints fell to 2-10 following a hard-fought 21-17 loss to the Dolphins at Miami Gardens. The Saints trailed 16-0 at halftime, but scored 17 in the second half, and had a chance to tie the game with a two-point conversion before Minkah Fitzpatrick returned for two points for the Dolphins. Tyler Shough engineered three scoring drives in the second half after being shut out in the first half. There are positives to take away from the loss, but overall, it counts as a loss, and the Saints are fighting for draft position down the stretch.
Here are three takeaways from Sunday’s loss:
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Tyler Shough and Devaughn Vele’s chemistry is growing
On eight targets, Vele turned in eight receptions, 93 yards, 11.6 YPR, and a touchdown. Shough targeted Vele early and often, including the failed two-point attempt. Chris Olave caught a touchdown of his own, but Vele was the clear top option for Shough. Last week, Shough targeted Vele four times, connecting three times for 37 yards. While that doesn’t blow you away, 12 targets for 11 catches and 132 yards feels like a connection brewing.
The Saints’ next four opponents are Tampa Bay, Carolina, the Jets, and Tennessee. There is an opportunity for the two to continue to connect down the stretch and build momentum into next season.
The Saints run defense can’t contain De’Von Achane
Achane has been on a tear lately rushing for 174, 120, and 134 yards in his last three games against Buffalo, Washington, and New Orleans. While Achane has been a big factor in the passing game for Miami and Tua Tagovailoa, the running back was blanked in the receiving game. The Saints are number ten in the NFL with a run defense grade of 71.2, but Sunday Achane was a one man band on the ground.
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However, on the season New Orleans allows 123.5 rushing yards per game and 121.7 over their last three games. There needs to be a big step up in 2026 with the run defense.
Tua Tagovailoa was stymied as a passer
Give the Saints defense credit, they sacked Tua four times and Kool-Aid McKinstry intercepted a pass in the red zone. The passing defense held Tagovailoa to a passer rating of 51.7 and just 134 passing yards. Even on third down, New Orleans proved to stingy allowing 4/12 third town conversions. Generally, performances like that lead to victories, and the Saints defense was very tough to beat through the air.