New Orleans will end their season 5-12.
The Saints’ draft position improved
The New Orleans Saints’ draft position has been stagnant over the past couple of weeks despite their losing streak, but on Sunday that changed with a Chicago Bears win over the Green Bay Packers. The Saints jumped up to the 9th overall pick and will be picking in the top 10 for the first time since 2008 when they selected defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis.
The Saints played like they had nothing to lose
The Saints had nothing to lose against the Buccaneers. A win potentially spoils their division rival’s playoff hopes while a loss would get them a better draft position. So with a win/win situation, the Saints went all out trying to get the win and unleashing trick plays they haven’t had a chance to run earlier in the season.
Despite the Saints trying their hardest to spoil the Buccaneers’ season, they were unsuccessful at keeping wide receiver Mike Evans under 85 yards allowing him to break the record. Tampa Bay threw a pass to Evans up eight points with just 32 seconds remaining in the game. New Orleans wasn’t bothered to sell out and stop the pass but could’ve punished the Buccaneers for being so reckless.
Another season ending on an internal sour note
During the season finale last year, the Saints offense ran the ball on victory formation to get running back Jamaal Williams his first touchdown of the season. This was electric for fans to see as the NFC South rivalries aren’t soft and rubbing it against an opponent is celebrated. However, former head coach Dennis Allen would just minutes later ruin all the fun and apologize to the Falcons organization during his press conference. This would rub both Saints fans and players the wrong way.
New Orleans would again have a chance to add fuel to the fire of their rivalries at the end of the game against the Buccaneers by making sure Mike Evans doesn’t get a five-yard reception to break the record with 30 seconds left. Tampa Bay was going to try and get Evans the ball despite risking a play gone bad and losing. Instead, the Saints’ defensive backs played five yards off and Evans went on to break the record with no resistance. Rivalries are one of the best parts of sports and it represents two teams who don’t like each other trying to give the other a terrible time. New Orleans failed to spoil the Buccaneers at the playoffs and that’s fine. Better for the Saints to lose anyway, but to not attempt to hold your rival’s best player from getting a record than watching the team and fans celebrate on you is something I can’t agree with.
crying at the saints DBs sitting 5 yards back from Mike who needed…. 5 yards for 1k pic.twitter.com/l4nrhLRiRd
— IcyVert (@IcyVert) January 5, 2025
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