Kellen Moore must fix massive issue that he’s responsible for as soon as possible if the Saints want to win any games going forward

Fans of the New Orleans Saints have plenty of emotional ammunition to be frustrated with officiating over the years. For the black and gold in Week 1 of this season, against the Arizona Cardinals, they simply put themselves in horrible situations and forced the referees to hurt them even further.

New Orleans limped to just thirteen points in Kellen Moore’s debut as the team’s head coach. While there was the occasional bright spot on that side of the gridiron for New Orleans, the Saints couldn’t stop making small errors that caused some yellow laundry to hit the field.

Offensive penalties destroy New Orleans’ chances in Week 1
The Saints were whistled for sixteen penalties in Week 1 against the Cardinals. Thirteen of those were enforced, while the other three were declined. A whopping eleven of the penalties were called against the Saints offense, the unit that Kellen Moore is most responsible for – even as the head coach.

More ridiculously, eight of those eleven flags on the offense were pre-snap penalties. The Saints had three false starts, two illegal formations, two illegal shifts, and one offsides for that unit against Arizona, via Jeff Duncan. That is nearly impossible to fathom, but the Saints consistently shot themselves in the foot to make life harder on themselves.

Moore and his coaching staff must clean these issues up as soon as possible. The Saints do not possess enough talent on either side of the ball to overcome these sort of unforced errors. If New Orleans continues this sort of trend, it will be yet another frustrating season for Saints fans.

A major opportunity to build momentum for Moore’s offense and overall team was stymied by sloppiness, and that’s gotta change sooner rather than later. New Orleans’ task doesn’t get any easier next week when they face the 1-0 San

FOREVER IN SAINTS HISTORY: Alvin Kamara Delivers 1,000th Superdome Touchdown, Giving New Orleans a Moment to Cherish

The Caesars Superdome is more than just a stadium. For the people of New Orleans, it is a cathedral of resilience, joy, and unforgettable memories. From the deafening noise of the Dome Patrol years to the miracle ride of 2009, the building has witnessed generations of heroes carving their names into Saints history. On Sunday, even in defeat, another unforgettable chapter was written when Alvin Kamara delivered the 1,000th touchdown ever scored by the Saints inside their hallowed home.

Yes, the scoreboard read 20-13 in favor of the Arizona Cardinals by the final whistle. But if you were inside the Dome — or even just watching from home — there was a moment in the second quarter that made you pause, smile, and realize you were witnessing something that will forever live in the franchise’s story.

Kamara’s Milestone Run

With the Saints facing a third-and-three early in the second quarter, the offense needed a spark. The Cardinals defense had done its job so far, limiting Derek Carr and the passing game to short gains. Then, in a flash, Alvin Kamara reminded everyone why he has been the heartbeat of this offense for nearly a decade.

Taking the handoff, Kamara cut left, found daylight, and accelerated through a gap that only he could see so clearly. The run wasn’t just efficient — it was vintage Kamara. Smooth strides, impeccable vision, and that signature ability to make defenders look like they’re running in slow motion. As he crossed the goal line and celebrated with his teammates, the crowd roared louder than it had all afternoon.

At that moment, fans weren’t just cheering a touchdown. They were witnessing history. That 18-yard dash wasn’t only Kamara’s 87th career touchdown; it was officially the 1,000th touchdown scored by the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome.

Why This Touchdown Matters More

Football milestones come and go. A player scores a certain number of career touchdowns. A team reaches a statistical marker. But the 1,000th touchdown in the Superdome? That’s different.

Why? Because the Superdome isn’t just another NFL stadium. It is a living, breathing symbol of New Orleans. It has hosted Super Bowls, college championships, and concerts that shook the world. But more importantly, it has been the stage for Saints football since 1975 — the good, the bad, and the unforgettable.

From Archie Manning to Drew Brees, from Marques Colston to Michael Thomas, the Dome has seen legends come and go. It has carried the city through storms both literal and figurative. To hit 1,000 touchdowns in that building means you are not just adding to a box score. You are adding to a shared memory that belongs to every fan wearing black and gold.

For Alvin Kamara to be the man to deliver that moment feels perfectly fitting. He has been the face of the Saints’ offense since Drew Brees retired, carrying the torch of excitement and playmaking that keeps fans believing in better days.

Kamara’s Place in NFL History

The milestone wasn’t just about the Saints or the Superdome. It also added another jewel to Kamara’s personal crown.

With 87 career touchdowns, Kamara is now tied with Hall of Famer Lance Alworth for 53rd on the NFL’s all-time list. To put that into perspective: Alworth was an icon of the 1960s, a receiver so dominant they called him “Bambi.” For Kamara to match his number in today’s game — as a running back who does damage both on the ground and through the air — speaks volumes about his versatility and sustained excellence.

And here’s the kicker: Kamara is still just 29 years old. He has plenty of time to climb that list, possibly even cracking the top 25 before his career is over. Saints fans have known for years that Kamara is special, but achievements like this force the national spotlight to acknowledge it too.

The Bittersweet Side
Of course, milestones don’t erase results. The Saints lost 20-13 to the Cardinals, dropping their season opener and raising familiar concerns about the offense. Despite Kamara’s heroics, the passing game sputtered. Derek Carr and his receivers struggled to connect on big plays, and drives stalled too often in enemy territory.

It’s a story Saints fans know all too well. The defense did its job, holding the Cardinals to just 20 points, but without consistent offensive rhythm, it wasn’t enough. That’s why Kamara’s touchdown, as magical as it was, also felt bittersweet. It gave the Dome a reason to explode, but it didn’t translate into victory.

Still, if there’s a silver lining, it’s that milestones like these can become rallying points. Seasons are long, and every team needs moments to hang onto when the going gets tough. Kamara’s 1,000th touchdown could serve as one of those reminders that greatness is still present in New Orleans — and worth building around.

The Legacy of the Superdome
Think about what the 1,000 touchdowns represent.

They are Archie Manning scrambles in the late ’70s, Jim Mora’s gritty teams of the ’80s, the Dome Patrol striking fear into opponents, the heartbreaks of the ’90s, and the rebirth of the 2000s under Sean Payton and Drew Brees. They are Deuce McAllister breaking tackles, Marques Colston stretching out for the end zone, Reggie Bush electrifying crowds, and Steve Gleason’s unforgettable punt block that became a symbol of hope.

Every touchdown tells a story. Every one of those 1,000 scores is a piece of the larger tapestry that makes Saints football unique. Alvin Kamara just added his name to the most recent stitch in that rich quilt of history.

What’s Next for the Saints

The loss to Arizona is just one game in a long season. For head coach Dennis Allen and the offense, the task ahead is clear: find consistency, especially in the passing game. If Carr and his receivers can find a rhythm to complement Kamara’s brilliance, the Saints can still contend in a wide-open NFC South.

Meanwhile, the defense will continue to anchor the team. Led by veterans like Demario Davis and Cam Jordan, the unit is good enough to keep games close. What Saints fans hope is that the offense can catch up before too many more “bittersweet milestones” pile up.

A Moment to Cherish

In sports, results matter. Wins and losses define seasons. But milestones define legacies. Alvin Kamara’s 1,000th touchdown at the Superdome will be remembered long after the disappointment of a Week 1 loss fades.

For fans, it was a reminder of why they love this team, this city, and this stadium. It was a reminder that even when the Saints stumble, moments of magic are always possible in the Dome.

Kamara didn’t just score a touchdown. He carved his name into the very walls of the Superdome’s history, joining a line of legends who gave New Orleans reasons to cheer, cry, and believe. And that, perhaps, is worth celebrating more than any single win or loss.

SAD News: Saints Kellen Moore era begins with a devastating end to a Week 1 streak

The New Orleans Saints saw their streak of wins in the season opener come to the close against the Arizona Cardinals as the team opened the Kellen Moore era. Knowing how recent seasons have transpired for New Orleans, it feels almost difficult to imagine the Saints winning six opening games in a row. However, that’s exactly what’s happened until Sunday.

The Saints haven’t fell short in the first game since dropping to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This ends the NFL longest active winning streak in Week 1 matchups.

One thing you can’t say is it wasn’t interesting. The Saints entered the red zone with a chance to tie the game in regulation. Unfortunately, two shots to the end zone fell incomplete to close the game.

A double digit deficit was insurmountable for the Saints, and it felt that way

The Saints fell behind by 10 points at the beginning of the third quarter. The team has a quarterback in Spencer Rattler, going into only his seventh start. That isn’t necessarily a recipe for playing from behind, but Rattler had an admirable attempt at slicing the deficit immediately. He responded with a solid drive getting the team into field goal position. Unfortunately, Blake Grupe pushed the kick slightly to the left.

There was still a lot of time left in the game, but Grupe missing that field goal felt like the pen that put the writing on the wall. The Saints saw there run game disappear from the game out of pure circumstance.

The trio of Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and Devin Neal looked good early in the game, but it becomes hard to run the football when you are down double digits and playing behind the sticks.

Rattler wouldn’t quit though. Late in the fourth quarter, the young quarterback began to pick up some steam. He led the Saints down the field into scoring territory towards the end of the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, struggles to get into the end zone persisted, and the Saints had to settle for a field goal.

The Saints had one more opportunity to even this game in regulation. Rattler once again looked poised as the Saints pushed into Cardinals territory. His second to last throw was in Juwan Johnson’s hands but he couldn’t hold on. In a last ditch effort, Rattler threw the ball out the end zone while targeting Chris Olave.

The Saints again release quarterback Jake Haener to make room for another pass rusher

The New Orleans Saints won’t have a designated emergency quarterback on Sunday.

The Saints released quarterback Jake Haener to sign rookie defensive end Fadil Diggs from the practice squad, the team announced Saturday. New Orleans also elevated tight end Jack Stoll and defensive lineman Jonah Williams from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s season-opening game against the Arizona Cardinals.

In releasing Haener, the Saints now only have two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster — meaning they won’t be able to take advantage of the NFL’s emergency quarterback rule, which allowed for teams to dress an inactive third quarterback and play him if the others became injured.

But New Orleans was seemingly comfortable with that trade-off as defensive end Chase Young was ruled out with a calf injury.

Haener was released for the second time in recent weeks. The 2023 fourth-rounder was cut when the Saints narrowed their roster from 90 to 53 players, but was signed to the practice squad. He was then signed back to the active roster after the Saints surprisingly released safety J.T. Gray on Monday.

By signing Diggs, the Saints added another pass rusher to the fold and promoted the seventh-rounder that they drafted in April. Diggs did not make the team’s initial 53-man roster, but showed flashes in training camp.

The Saints’ elevation of Stoll, meanwhile, gives the team now three tight ends on Sunday.

2 Cardinals Players Who Could Ruin Kellen Moore’s Saints Debut

The New Orleans Saints have been through a lot of changes over the course of the last few months. With Derek Carr entering retirement during the offseason, the Saints were left scrambling for a new quarterback. After weeks of a heated quarterback competition, first-year head coach Kellen Moore opted to select Spencer Rattler as the team’s starting signal caller.

The Saints and Rattler are set to match up with the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1. Moore’s debut as a head coach could be a huge win for the Saints, but there’s also a chance a few players on the Cardinals wreck those plans.

Which Cardinals stars could destroy Moore’s ideal Saints debut?

EDGE Josh Sweat
With a young quarterback under center, the Saints need to do their best to keep him upright. Rattler is a questionable option at quarterback when he’s protected in the pocket. If he’s facing heavy pressure all game, the Saints will almost certainly collapse as an offense.

Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat could be the difference-maker on defense. He’s put together a few solid seasons in a row with the Philadelphia Eagles before bolting for the Cardinals.

Sweat is a real threat to reach double-digit sacks this season after recording just under 10 sacks the last few years. He’s going to look to get off to a fast start to his season by destroying the Saints’ game plan and sacking Rattler a few times.

WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
The most talked about player leading up to the Cardinals’ season has been star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Harrison came into the league with huge expectations, so it felt like a letdown when he didn’t finish at the top of the league during his rookie campaign. To be fair, he was a very productive rookie.

But he’s looking to take a massive step forward in his second year in Arizona. The Cardinals’ offense is going to run through the talented wide receiver. If he can get going, the Saints won’t have much of a chance to stop the Cardinals’ offense. It’s likely going to be up to young cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry to stop the star wide receiver.

What does a successful 2025-26 season look like for Steven Lorentz?

When it comes to having the passion to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs, there isn’t anyone on the Leafs’ roster with more than depth forward Steven Lorentz. From his high school yearbook photo, to playing mini sticks as a toddler with his Maple Leafs’ jersey on, Lorentz has been bleeding blue his whole life. Heading into the 2025-26 season with a fresh contract extension, Lorentz will continue to live out his childhood dream for the foreseeable future.

The 29-year-old Kitchener, ON native joined the Maple Leafs ahead of the 2024-25 season. Lorentz agreed to a professional tryout and accepted his invitation to training camp, and all he did from there was turn heads from the opening day of camp, showing off his size, speed, strength, and work ethic, which won over head coach Craig Berube and the coaching staff. Lorentz signed a one-year deal, and had himself a great first season in Toronto.

Lorentz appeared in 80 regular season games for his beloved Maple Leafs, scoring eight goals, and 19 points, while averaging 10:33 of ice-time per game, including 1:08 while shorthanded. The 6-foot-4 forward played mostly on the wing, however, has some experience down the middle, and his versatility to step in at centre is one of the many elements of his game that appeal to the Maple Leafs. Lorentz knows his role, he isn’t afraid to lay bone-crunching hits, and collapse hard on the forecheck. He does a great job ‘staying in his lane’ and not trying to do too much, each and every shift.