First quarter
Well this one is on a tee. New Orleans Saints Coach Kellen Moore announced after the scrimmage Friday that Spencer Rattler will be the starting quarterback for the first preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. Will he continue to progress after his rookie season and what we have seen during the first couple of weeks of training camp? Can he engineer sustained drives that result in points, hopefully touchdowns. He has done exactly that in the two scrimmages during camp, can it translate into game action against a different opponent? The first team offensive line has been intact throughout training camp, can it sustain consistency and protect Rattler and open up holes for the running backs? We also know that running back Alvin Kamara will not play, so that opens up opportunities for Kendre Miller, Cam Akers and Clyde Edwards-Helaire for early carries. Defensively, can the Saints first team defense keep the Chargers offense out of the end zone and force punts? This will be a challenge, especially if the Chargers play their front-line players, as they are expected to contend this season in the AFC West.
Second quarter
I'll still be looking more at the defense. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley has installed a 3-4 defense for the Saints, with occasional wrinkles. Can the defense continue to put pressure on the quarterback while not getting too exotic for preseason games? There really hasn't been much live tackling during camp other than the scrimmages so can they finish plays by bringing their man down and finishing pressure with sacks? More important, can they force turnovers with fumbles and interceptions and get the offense extra possessions? Edge rusher is a key component in the 3-4, so who will step up when Cameron Jordan, Chase Young, and Carl Granderson are out of the game? Isaiah Foskey will have plenty of chances at this time, along with Jonathan Bullard, Chris Rumph II and Jasheen Davis. Also at linebacker the second quarter should see Nephi Sewell and D'Marco Jackson in the middle. Both have had solid camps, and will be key backups when Demario Davis and Pete Werner are out of the game.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Check out the photos from the New Orleans Saints walkthrough on Saturday, Aug. 9 ahead of their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers during the 2025 NFL season.
Third quarter
By this time Rattler should be out of the game and Tyler Shough will get his first NFL action (he could be inserted in the second quarter). Shough has shown improvement the last week, and his ability to keep plays alive with his legs is really a strength of his game. Will that translate Sunday? The second team offensive line needs to be up to task as well, keeping the Chargers off of Shough and giving him a clean pocket. Also, there aren't many spots for running back for the final 53-man roster. Rookie Devin Neal is out with a hamstring injury. This is the time for Velus Jones Jr. and Marcus Yarns to get extended looks. Defensively, a lot of younger players should be in the game. Keep your eye on rookies Quincy Riley and Jonas Sanker in the defensive backfield who each have interceptions during camp. Defensive end Fadil Diggs had three sacks in the scrimmage Friday. Danny Stutsman has been running third team at linebacker, but now he should get extended playing time against the Chargers. He has shown flashes at camp, now the lights will be on and how will he respond. The battle for the Nos. 4, 5, and 6 receiver will fully be on. You know what you have with Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks. All other spots (depending on how many Moore will keep) are up for grabs. Mason Tipton was the star of camp last season, then he got hurt and we didn't see him again till November. He has had another solid camp and now is healthy and will get his chance Sunday. Kevin Austin Jr. and Cedrick Wilson Jr. each had touchdowns in the Friday scrimmage, and need to keep pace to earn a spot on the final 53.
Fourth quarter
In case you hadn't noticed we have a punting battle on our hands, With the release of Matthew Hayball earlier in the week, the open competition for the job between rookies James Burnip and Kai Kroeger is officially on. There is also a crowd of kickoff and punt returners, something that special teams coordinator Phil Galiano needs to sort out. What combinations of returners will be back there for kickoffs, and who will return punts? Might be a time for Donovan Peoples-Jones, who has had a quiet camp at wide receiver but has fielded punts during practice. If given the opportunity can kicker Charlie Smyth knock in a game-winner like he did in Arizona last year for the Saints' only preseason win? Can Jake Haener lead the third-team offense to points? Haener has had a good camp as well and if the third team offensive line can block for him he should be successful, throwing to the aforementioned wide receivers. Who will step up at tight end? Behind Juwan Johnson, there is another open competition, especially since we know Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau will miss the start of the regular season. Can Michael Jacobson use his 6-foot-7 frame and be a target for Haener? Most important, when the scoreboard shows triple zeroes, did you leave SoFi Stadium healthy. It's nice to win preseason games, and the Saints certainly will be going for victory, but health is the ultimate key as the regular season approaches.
