Saints @ Chargers: Game Recap

The 2025 NFL Preseason officially kicked off for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon from a sunny SoFi Stadium in southern California, where the black and gold took on the Los Angeles Chargers in their first test under rookie head coach Kellen Moore.

As ever, all eyes were on the quarterback position in the lead-up to the game, as second-year pro Spencer Rattler was named the starter after his impressive early training camp showings.

But it was the Saints’ defense that hit the field first in this one, with a pass breakup by Isaac Yiadom forcing an early punt by the Chargers to set up an opening drive for Rattler and the offense.

Despite a few nice plays in which Rattler showed poise in the pocket – highlighted by a big gain on a connection with Cedrick Wilson Jr – a holding penalty pinned the Saints back and forced them into a punt. The offense was only on the sideline for a short moment, though, as the punt was muffed and recovered by Treyton Welch to put the black and gold in the red zone.

Nevertheless, a frustrating sequence ended with a 4th and goal attempt being stuffed by LA’s run defense. A turnover on downs meant the game remained scoreless.

The teams would proceed to exchange three-and-outs, with Chargers QB Taylor Heinicke starting the following drive deep in his own territory after another good punt from James Burnip. After a near-safety caused by pressure from Khristian Boyd, the Saints’ defense forced yet another three-and-out. Brandon Staley’s outfit certainly put on a strong showing in the first quarter against his former team, and the game remained scoreless as the first 15 minutes came to a close.

The opening play of the second was one to forget for Rattler as he was strip-sacked from behind, giving Chargers QB Trey Lance a short field as he entered the game for the first time. While the drive went nowhere, field position was good enough for Los Angeles to kick through a 44-yard field goal to at last open the scoring.

Rattler remained in the game after a great kick return from Kendre Miller, and a smart QB scramble on third down brought the drive into Chargers territory. More penalties halted the black and gold from there, though, and Burnip was out to punt once more.

A longer Chargers drive ensued, with Trey Lance scrambling for 14 yards and a first down just outside the red zone as we reached the two-minute warning.

Lance picked up another 17 yards on the ground a play later, taking the Chargers down to the five-yard line with a chance to punch in the first touchdown of the afternoon. Yet another scramble from Lance resulted in just that, as he ran in to extend the lead for Los Angeles. The Saints stopped the two-point attempt short of the goal line to keep the lead at 9-0.

The two-minute drill saw Moore turn to the rookie Tyler Shough at quarterback, ending Rattler’s day with 7/11 passing for 53 yards and a fumble lost.

Shough hit the ground running, completing an array of passes to get the Saints down to the 13-yard line, imposing himself nicely with his first throws as a pro. The rookie had one unsuccessful look at the end zone before Blake Grupe stepped up to knock through a 31-yard field goal and put the Saints offense on the board, leaving the black and gold trailing 9-3 at the half.

Frustration continued for the Saints’ offensive line as the second half got underway, with Shough sacked on 3rd and 9, leading to a quick three-and-out. But the defense returned the favor once more to get the ball back with the black and gold, forcing yet another three-and-out of its own.

The possession that followed was an unfortunate one for the Saints rookie, as his third-down throw intended for Dante Pettis was picked off and returned all the way for a Los Angeles touchdown. This time, the Chargers converted the two-point attempt to extend the lead to 17-3. A poor throw from the rookie QB felt as though it undid the good work he’d done to end the first half.

But the Saints’ offense returned to the field looking for a reaction, which it certainly found. Shough connected for nine yards with both Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Dante Pettis before finding Mason Tipton deep to his left for a 54-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good to get New Orleans to double digits.

Moore – who has mentioned his desire to see his young quarterbacks respond to adversity – was no doubt delighted to see the rookie put the interception behind him so quickly.

The Saints’ defense continued to impress on the ensuing drive, forcing another three-and-out for Lance and the Chargers.

Shough’s rollercoaster afternoon then continued, as indecision led to another sack and another punt.

The defense proceeded to stop a third-down scramble from Lance short of the yard-to-gain with the last play of the quarter. The black and gold would enter the fourth trailing 17-10, with Shough and the offense getting the ball back.

Shough opened the final frame with another pair of completions, the longer of the two a 16-yard connection to Pettis. The drive was stopped in its tracks from there, however, with another punt sending the ball back to Los Angeles.

With Lance still in the game, the Chargers drove inside Saints territory as they looked to add to their cushion. A third-down run up the middle from Lance – productive on the ground all afternoon – gave Los Angeles another first down within field goal range before a pair of rushes from running back Hassan Haskins brought the hosts into the red zone as the game clock ticked under seven minutes remaining.

Lance was eventually sacked on third down by Chris Rumph II, forcing the Chargers to settle for a 40-yard field goal to push the lead to 20-10. New Orleans got the ball back with just under five minutes to play and in need of two scores.

Jake Haener entered the game at quarterback, ending Tyler Shough’s professional debut with a line of 15/22 for 165 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Haener rattled off three completions to start his drive before his fourth throw was intercepted at the Chargers’ 35-yard line, ending any hopes of a remarkable Saints comeback. The pick also meant a turnover from all three Saints quarterbacks on the day.

With DJ Uiagalelei in at quarterback for the Chargers, it looked as though the offense would play conservatively in an effort to see out the clock. That was, until Uiagalelei found Dalevon Campbell on 3rd down for 49 yards. Raheim Sanders followed that up with an 11-yard touchdown run to extend the Chargers’ lead once more, with the extra point making it 27-10.

Though it may not count for much, Velus Jones Jr had an impressive return on the kickoff that followed, putting the Saints offense all the way up at their own 49-yard line with less than two minutes on the clock.

Haener drove the offense 19 yards before a 50-yard field goal from Charlie Smyth with seconds left put three more points on the board for New Orleans.

Los Angeles ran out the clock with a kneel, bringing the game to an end with a final score of Chargers 27 – 13 Saints.

New Orleans moves to 0-1 on the preseason, with a matchup in Caesars Superdome against the Jacksonville Jaguars next up on August 17.