Saints-Rams: Halftime Studs and Duds

Here are the Saints who made an impression in the first 30-minutes, and those that didn't.

Halftime studs and duds | On SI Saints - Doug Joubert

After the first thirty minutes of play in Los Angeles the Saints trailed the Rams 20-0. Here are those we think did well, and those we didn't

Join us after the game for our list of Biggest Winners and Biggest Losers, then our exclusive game story with the 4 important quotes we got after the game.

Studs

Moliki Matavao

The second year tight end made back-to-back catches, the second of which was a back-shoulder beauty.

What a sideline grab by Moliki Matavao!#Saints | 📺: FOX-8 pic.twitter.com/cv5aa1WQJI

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 22, 2026

Matavao left the game midway through the second quarter, limping to the sideline after another catch and knee-high tackle.

Martin Emerson Jr

Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (22) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Cornerback Emerson Jr had numerous opportunities to make an impression. In one instance, he stopped a 1st down catch when he closed and tackled the receiver short.

1st Quarter Saints Defense

When you hold a dynamic offense like the Rams to a field goal in its first two possessions, you've done a job. The only touchdown given up by the Saints D was after an errant throw by Saints quarterback Zach Wilson that allowed the Rams to start at the New Orleans 48-yard line.

Fadil Diggs

Aug 15, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Carter Bradley (10) scrambles out of the pocket and is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Fadil Diggs (40) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Made a pair of outstanding hits in the first half while also forcing a run to his side back to inside help.

Mike Reid

Made a great tackle on special teams early, then coverage on a crossing pattern that caused an incompletion.

Duds

Rhythm Off on Both Sides of the Ball

Offensive and defensive penalties (one for having too many men on the field for the D) a total of 6-penalties for 57 yards in the first half, a defensive line that could not stop Rams runs in the 2nd quarter, and late coverage on passes led to a limping effort in the first half.

Second Quarter Defense

If it wouldn't have been some errant throws by Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett, the score could have been much worse. The Rams were able to run right up the gut against a sluggish front seven. There was little to no pass rush against a Rams team that threw the ball almost twice as many times as they ran it.

Martin Emerson Jr...again

Can you be both a Stud and a Dud? Yep.

Though Emerson Jr earned a stud mention, he was also beat deep on a fly route that thankfully fell incomplete because it was overthrown. He was also guilty of a hold that kept a Rams drive alive.

Zach Wilson

After a solid preseason game #1, Wilson could not get the Saints ,past the Rams 43. His stats were not pretty: 6-for-12, 55-yards and a quarterback rating below 50, and an interception. A miscommunication between him and Bub Means that was picked off, leading to an L.A. touchdown didn't help. Part of what Wilson could not control was the lack of rhythm by the Saints offense because of the amount of penalties the offense committed.

Saints Offensive Penalties

A view of a yellow penalty flag | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

In the first quarter alone, the Saints were called for a quartet of penalties, including pass interference by Kevin Austin Jr during a screen play.

Kevin Austin Jr

As mentioned above, the third-year receiver was guilty of interference. Then, on a fourth and three inside Rams territory, Austin had a chance to make a catch for a first down, but was outphysicaled by the defensive back, as the pass fell incomplete.