Canal Street Chronicles
The New Orleans Saints sophomore quarterback played his best game as a pro on Sunday, completing 25 of 34 passes for 207 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions. Rattler led three touchdown drives including two of 70+ yards and got the Saints from their own 6 all the way to midfield before a potential game winning drive was stopped. This was Rattler’s first multi-touchdown game of his career, and hopefully this performance will increase Rattler’s confidence going forward, because he played very well this week. Another shoutout should be given to Carl Granderson, who finished the game with 7 total tackles including 2 sacks and 3 TFLs.
The San Francisco 49ers were missing their starting QB in Brock Purdy and their two top pass catching options in Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle, but backup quarterback Mac Jones still threw for 279 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions. The Saints held the 49ers to just 77 yards rushing but were still outgained by San Francisco as they could not get the stops they needed through the air. The backbreaker was allowing the 49ers to go on a 9 play 77 yard touchdown drive in just 1:09 at the end of the first half. That drive combined with a missed field goal on their opening drive were the difference in the game.
The Saints allowed the 49ers to convert over 50% of their 3rd down tries on Sunday as they converted eight times on 15 3rd downs. These include a 15-yard completion on 3rd and 14, a 29-yard pass on 3rd and 6, a 13-yard completion on 3rd and 10, and two 3rd down conversions via penalty. The 49ers surprisingly also scored all three of their touchdowns on 3rd downs this week. If the Saints stop just one of them it is an entirely different game. The defense made some plays on Sunday but just could not get off the field when they needed to which was ultimately their undoing.
