FINAL: New Orleans Saints Shut Out New England Patriots 34-0
Fresh off the worst loss of the Bill Belichick era, the New England Patriots are in need of a major energy shift from a brutal 38-3 Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. They will hope that they can get back to their winning ways as they host the New Orleans Saints in a Week 5 matchup that could further diminish the Patriots' playoff hopes.
The Saints are in a similar situation, as they are looking to end a two-game losing streak after a 2-0 start to the season. New Orleans was upset 26-9 at home by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4.
The Patriots must replace two of their best defensive starters in Matthew Judon (bicep) and Christian Gonzalez (shoulder), who were both injured in Dallas and could be out for the season. New England looks to get after Saints quarterback Derek Carr, who played through a shoulder injury last week. Carr completed 23 passes for just 127 yards.
While the Patriots would much rather be in a different position, being 1-3 through the first four games is nothing new. In fact, this is the third straight season that the Patriots have won one of their first three games. While they were unable to make the postseason last season after the poor start, they were able in 2021 as they finished with a 10-7 record.
Not only will New England be hoping for a change in fortunes after their loss to the Cowboys, but they will look to make a win versus the Saints the beginning of that.
WHAT: New Orleans Saints (2-2) at New England Patriots (1-3)
WHERE: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts (64,628)
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, 1 p.m. ET
TELEVISION: CBS / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: WBZ-FM 98.5 The Sports Hub
TICKETS: SI Tickets
BETTING via SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Patriots +0.5
TOTAL: 38.5
MONEYLINE: Saints -110, Patriots -110
First Quarter
The Patriots won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, meaning the Saints got the ball first.
It was a promising drive for the Saints as they crossed midfield, mixing up run and pass, until a pass breakup from Shaun Wade on second down helped set up a third-down sack by Ja'Wahun Bentley.
Change of Possession
The Patriots' first drive started off with an eight-yard run for Rhamondre Stevenson, but two straight incompletions from Mac Jones forced them to go three-and-out.
Change of Possession
The Saints also suffered from a three-and-out as a false start penalty backed them into a third and long before Carr's pass fell incomplete.
Change of Possession
From bad to worse for the Patriots, as Tyrann Mathieu picks off Jones's pass and returns it the other way for a touchdown. Jones stepped up into a crowded pocket and was hit as he threw the ball, which caused it to fall way short of its target and into the hands of Mathieu.
TOUCHDOWN SAINTS
Saints 7, Patriots 0
Change of Possession
Rebounding from the pick-six, Jones found Demario Douglas for a big 24-yard completion on third down. Despite being in scoring range, a negative run from Ezekiel Elliott backed them into a third-and-11 where Jones found Henry but only for an eight-yard gain.
The Patriots came up empty as Chad Ryland's 48-yard field goal was wide left.
Change of Possession
Second Quarter
The Saints made quick work of the Patriots' defense as they drove 62 yards in eight plays, where Alvin Kamara found the endzone on a two-yard run.
TOUCHDOWN SAINTS
Saints 14, Patriots 0
Change of Possession
The Patriots offense failed to respond as they go three-and-out before another punt.
Change of Possession
The Saints drove 59 yards in five plays as Carr found Chris Olave for a five-yard touchdown pass.
TOUCHDOWN SAINTS
Saints 21, Patriots 0
Change of Possession
The Patriots picked up just 14 yards on six plays before being forced to punt.
Change of Possession
Another potential promising drive for the Saints in New England territory ended in a punt after Carr's third-down pass fell incomplete
Change of Possession
Two sacks from the Saints defense negated any chance of the Patriots' being able to score points before the half, as instead of a field goal, they were forced to punt.
Change of Possession
The Saints kneeled the clock out to send the teams to halftime
Third Quarter
It went from bad to worse again for the Patriots, as their first drive of the second half ended in a fumble from Mac Jones, which was recovered by the Saints' defensive end Cameron Jordan.
Change of Possession
The Patriots' defense was able to hold the Saints to just a field goal as Myles Bryant sacked Carr on third down.
FIELD GOAL SAINTS
Saints 24, Patriots 0
Change of Possession
The Patriots got a first down this time as Jones found Bourne for a 28-yard completion before being forced to punt on the new set of downs.
Change of Possession
The Patriots defense continues to keep giving their offense chances as they force a three-and-out.
Change of Possession
The Patriots' only positive play was a five-yard completion to JuJu Smith-Schuster as they went three-and-out.
Change of Possession
A long 11-play drive for the Saints ends in a punt, but it almost turned out to be an interception for Kyle Dugger. However, the call on the field was an incomplete pass, forcing the Saints to punt.
Change of Possession
The Patriots' drive lasted just one play before a pass to Ty Montgomery bounced off his hands and into the hands of Saints' linebacker Pete Werner for an interception.
Change of Possession
Fourth Quarter
The Saints capitalized on the third Patriots turnover with a six-yard touchdown pass from Carr to Foster Moreau.
TOUCHDOWN SAINTS
Saints 31, Patriots 0
Change of Possession
Despite the change at quarterback as Jones was benched again in favor of Bailey Zappe, the Patriots go three-and-out before a punt.
Change of Possession
The Patriots defense was able to force another three-and-out.
Change of Possession
The Patriots suffered a turnover on downs as a Rhamondre Stevenson run was stopped short of the sticks on fourth and two.
Change of Possession
The Saints are able to add on with a 53-yard field goal after Carr and co., couldn't convert for a first-down on third.
FIELD GOAL SAINTS
Saints 34, Patriots 0
Change of Possession
An Elliott run picked up eight yards on third-down, but it wasn't enough, as they were forced to punt.
Change of Possession
A holding penalty on third-down helped the Patriots' defense force another punt as the Saints went three-and-out.
Change of Possession
A five-yard run for Rhamondre Stevenson set up a fourth-down-and-five but Zappe couldn't find Montgomery for a first-down.
FINAL: New Orleans Saints 34, New England Patriots 0
