New Orleans Saints continue slide with 26-8 loss to Chargers

OFFENSE: The return of starting receiver Chris Olave, right guard Cesar Ruiz, tight end Taysom Hill and left guard Lucas Patrick wasn’t the elixir that it was hoped it would be. New Orleans failed to reach the end zone and went to a quarterback change in the second half, from Spencer Rattler to Jake Haener, in hopes of providing a spark. The offense couldn’t stay on the field (2 for 16 on third down) and, conjunctively, couldn’t find a sustainable rhythm. Mix in a few debilitating penalties and it was the recipe for a team that was averaging 14.3 points in its five losses to scrape its way to eight points Sunday, including a first quarter safety when the Chargers fumbled a punt snap and slapped the loose ball out of the end zone. There simply haven’t been effective answers to the questions that have continued to arise.

DEFENSE: Having no help from the offense probably has laid an unfair load on the defense. And yet, that’s what the unit has asked for and it hasn’t sufficiently responded. When allowing 122 rushing yards on 29 attempts is a significant improvement – after surrendering 502 rushing yards on 70 carries the previous two games – that speaks volumes to how much the group has slipped during the slide. After forcing punts and the Chargers’ first three possessions and helping create a safety along the way, New Orleans gave up a handful of chunk plays, beginning with Justin Herbert’s 38-yard scramble, that opened the door to the Chargers’ 378 yards and three touchdowns. In addition to Herbert’s run, Los Angeles had pass completions of 60 yards (for a touchdown), 45 yards, 27 yards and 24 yards. The Saints no longer can ask the defense for near perfection, but it has to produce better than it has for the Saints to get back in the win column.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Blake Grupe missed a 43-yard field-goal attempt, rookie receiver Jermaine Jackson fair caught a couple of punts inside the 10-yard line and on a day like Sunday, those were bad but not so glaringly noticeable as to have been able to affect the outcome. Punter Matthew Hayball had a great showing (five of nine punts inside the 20) and Kendre Miller had a 41-yard kickoff return to provide the highs.