Titans 30-27 Saints (Aug 25, 2024) Game Recap

Expert analysis and recap for the Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints NFL game that took place on July 25, 2024, on ESPN.

NEW ORLEANS — — Saints rookie Spencer Rattler made a case for the backup quarterback job behind veteran Derek Carr .

The receiver Samson Nacua Samson Nacua made an exciting special teams game which helped his standing however, it ended in a way that which he will regret for the rest of his life.

Rattler made a touchdown throw and he was the leader of four scoring drives that totaled 24 points in a 30 – 27 preseason defeat to Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans on Sunday .

“I feel like I’ve taken steps where I need to,” said Rattler who was a fifth-round draft selection from South Carolina. “I work here, right? I’m new. I’m a rookie. I’m trying to become better, get better and contribute to the team.”

Titans Reserve quarterback Malik Willis connected with Bryce Oliver on two touchdown passes in the fourth quarterthe first at fourth-and-1 at the New Orleans 5-yard line with 1:25 left to help rally for the Titans (3-0).

“Malik showed really well for himself,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said. “He made some really bigtime throws.”

Nacua — the brother Nacua — the younger brother of Rams player Puca Nacua — retried the ball for 106 yards, only to be removed from limits on the Tennessee 3-yard line by Netherlands native Thomas Odukoya when the clock ran out in the first quarter.

“Going sideways made it feel like an extra 60 yards because I got to that 50-yard line and I was like, ‘My legs are gone,'” Nacua stated.

He told his family and friends that they will “probably going to tell me I am the slower brother and I’m going to be sick because I know I’m faster than Puca.”

While the thrilling return resulted in zero points, it may increase the chances that Nacua will stick through Tuesday, the deadline to cut rosters down from 90 players to the maximum for regular season of 53.

“That’s just part of the evaluation,” Saints coach Dennis Allen said. “There was some smart football on that play, and there was a competitive spirit of the players playing on that team in their efforts to score. It certainly was an entertaining game.”

Tennessee began scoring first with its first-team offense playing Saints second-stringers. Will Levis completed 22-yard passes to tightend Nick Vannett and receiver Tyler Boyd before Tony Pollard made 7-0 on his one-yard run.

“We were clean with our operation top to bottom,” Levis stated. “I was proud of how the guys went out there and played and it was awesome to see some guys step up and make some plays.”

Levis was able to complete a 33-yard pass for Calvin Ridley on the second sequence to create Nick Folk’s 39-yard field goal.

The Saints (1-2) had only a handful of players, apart from offensive linemen Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning..

Rattler, who ran 7-13 with 105 yards threw a pass to the Equanimous St. Brown for 21 yards during the 2nd quarter. The play was part of the 70-yard run on Rattler’s first game following the team brought him in to replace fellow quarterback reserve Jake Haener.

Rattler also played New Orleans 34 yards in the last 2 minutes of opening half, which set the stage for Blake Grupe’s 54-yard field shot. The fourth quarter scoring drive culminated by TD runs of 2 and 11 yards from an undrafted rookie, and Louisiana born Jacob Kibodi.

Haener an experienced second-year player seeking the backup position and was up against Titans defensive players in the opening minutes of the game. After returning in the 3rd quarter was able to lead the Saints to an open shot from the field, however, he was stripped and tackled on a play that ended in a 20-yard drive-stopping loss.

Haener was also a part of also in the Saints in the final offensive game that was halted when the clock expired.

Moment of silence

The Saints demanded to observe a moment of silence to honor long-time broadcaster Ed Daniels, who died aged 67 of an attack on his heart that he suffered while traveling to California to report on the team’s training camp. Daniels was a New Orleans native who’d worked for ABC affiliate WGNO since 1992.

Rarely seen

Titans injuries-ridden cornerback Caleb Farley, an early draft pick in 2021 was able to play only for the second time in the beginning of the 2022 season. He was awarded an assist tackle.

“He did a nice job,” Callahan said. “Just for all the things he’s been through, the ups and downs, just really cool to see him have a chance to go play.”

Injuries

Titans: Titans: Elijah Molden briefly was treated on the field following a tackle in the second quarter before making his way to the sideline on own. Molden was assessed for symptoms of concussion. … LB Chance Campbell went to the locker room after suffering knee injuries.

Saints: CB Rezjohn Wright was taken into the locker room during the first quarter suffering from an apparent injury to his left leg.

Next

Titans The Titans will open the regular season in Chicago on September. 8.

Saints: Host Carolina on Sept. 8.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl