
Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints
· National Football LeagueSaints' Rattler shines, but Willis late heroics leads Titans to a 30-27 preseason win
Receiver Samson Nacua made a stirring special teams play that improved his stock, but ended in a manner he'll long regret.
Rattler threw a touchdown pass and led four scoring drives totaling 24 points in a 30-27 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday .
“I feel like I’ve taken steps where I need to," said Rattler, a fifth-round draft choice out of South Carolina. "I work here, you know? I’m new. I’m a rookie. I’m just trying to get better, improve, and help the team.”
Titans reserve quarterback Malik Willis connected with Bryce Oliver on two fourth-quarter touchdowns passes — the second on fourth-and-1 from the New Orleans 5-yard line with 1:25 left, to rally the Titans (3-0).
“Malik showed really well for himself," Titans coach Brian Callahan said. "He made some really bigtime throws.”
Nacua — brother of Rams receiver Puca Nacua — returned a missed field goal 106 yards before being forced out of bounds at the Tennessee 3-yard line by Netherlands native Thomas Odukoya as time expired in the first half.
“Going sideways made it feel like an extra 60 yards because I got to that 50-yard line and I was like, ‘My legs are gone,’” Nacua said.
He said family and friends are "probably going to tell me I am the slower brother and I’m going to be sick because I know I’m faster than Puca.”
Although the riveting return produced no points, it could improve Nacua's chances of sticking around past Tuesday, the deadline for teams to trim rosters from 90 players down to the regular season maximum of 53.
“That’s just part of the evaluation," Saints coach Dennis Allen said. "There was a lot of smart football that took place on that play and there was a competitive nature of the guys that were on that unit in trying to score. It certainly was an exciting play.”
Tennessee opened scoring with its first-team offense facing Saints' second-stringers. Will Levis completed 22-yard passes to tight end Nick Vannett and receiver Tyler Boyd before Tony Pollard made it 7-0 with his 1-yard run.
“We were clean with our operation top to bottom," Levis said. "I was proud of how the guys went out there and played and it was awesome to see some guys step up and make some plays.”
Levis had a 33-yard completion to Calvin Ridley on the second series to set up Nick Folk's 39-yard field goal.
The Saints (1-2) played few starters other than offensive tackles Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning.
Rattler, who was 7 of 13 for 105 yards, hit Equanimeous St. Brown for a 21-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The play capped a 70-yard drive on Rattler's first series after he came in for fellow reserve QB Jake Haener.
Rattler also led New Orleans 34 yards in the final two minutes of the first half to set up Blake Grupe’s 54-yard field goal. His fourth-quarter scoring drives ended with TD runs of 11 and 2 yards by undrafted rookie and Louisiana native Jacob Kibodi.
Haener, a second-year pro competing for the backup job, faced Titans defensive starters to open the game. When he returned in the third quarter, he led the Saints to a field goal, but later was sacked and stripped on a play that resulted in a drive-stalling 20-yard loss.
Haener also played the Saints' final offensive series, which stalled as time ran out.
“He did a nice job," Callahan said. “Just for all the things he’s been through, the ups and downs, just really cool to see him have a chance to go play.”
Saints: CB Rezjohn Wright went to the locker room in the first quarter with an apparent left leg injury.
Saints: Host Carolina on Sept. 8.
How can I watch Titans vs. Saints?
- TV Channel: Titans at Saints 2021-22 NFL, week 4 is broadcasted nationally on NFL Net.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
In Canada, viewers can watch Titans vs. Saints on DAZN.
Scoring Summary
![]() |
TD | 1st Period 6:23 | Tony Pollard 1 Yd Run (Nick Folk Kick) |
![]() |
FG | 2nd Period 14:11 | Nick Folk 39 Yd Field Goal |
![]() |
TD | 2nd Period 9:49 | Equanimeous St. Brown 21 Yd pass from Spencer Rattler (Blake Grupe Kick) |
![]() |
FG | 2nd Period 1:52 | Brayden Narveson 26 Yd Field Goal |
![]() |
FG | 2nd Period 0:30 | Blake Grupe 54 Yd Field Goal |
![]() |
FG | 3rd Period 11:57 | Blake Grupe 38 Yd Field Goal |
![]() |
FG | 3rd Period 5:21 | Brayden Narveson 31 Yd Field Goal |
![]() |
TD | 4th Period 13:54 | Jacob Kibodi 11 Yd Run (Blake Grupe Kick) |
![]() |
TD | 4th Period 9:40 | Bryce Oliver 34 Yd pass from Malik Willis (Brayden Narveson Kick) |
![]() |
TD | 4th Period 6:26 | Jacob Kibodi 2 Yd Run (Blake Grupe Kick) |
![]() |
TD | 4th Period 1:25 | Bryce Oliver 5 Yd pass from Malik Willis (Brayden Narveson Kick) |
Statistics
![]() |
![]() |
|
---|---|---|
26 | 1st Downs | 22 |
14 | Passing 1st downs | 10 |
11 | Rushing 1st downs | 8 |
1 | 1st downs from penalties | 4 |
5-12 | 3rd down efficiency | 3-10 |
2-2 | 4th down efficiency | 0-1 |
68 | Total Plays | 55 |
445 | Total Yards | 300 |
6.5 | Yards per Play | 5.5 |
10 | Total Drives | 10 |
274 | Passing | 176 |
21/27 | Comp/Att | 15/30 |
9.4 | Yards per pass | 5.7 |
0 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
2-9 | Sacks-Yards Lost | 1-16 |
171 | Rushing | 124 |
39 | Rushing Attempts | 24 |
4.4 | Yards per rush | 5.2 |
2-4 | Red Zone (Made-Att) | 3-4 |
8-67 | Penalties | 6-42 |
1 | Turnovers | 0 |
1 | Fumbles lost | 0 |
0 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
0 | Defensive / Special Teams TDs | 0 |
35:51 | Possession | 24:09 |
New Orleans Saints Injuries
NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
---|---|---|
Derek Carr, QB | Questionable | Mar 8 |
Taysom Hill, TE | Questionable | Feb 12 |
Rejzohn Wright, CB | Questionable | Feb 11 |
Nick Saldiveri, OT | Questionable | Feb 11 |
Rashid Shaheed, WR | Questionable | Feb 11 |
Tennessee Titans Injuries
NAME, POS | STATUS | DATE |
---|---|---|
Treylon Burks, WR | Questionable | Mar 31 |
Andrew Rupcich, OT | Questionable | Mar 11 |
L'Jarius Sneed, CB | Questionable | Feb 12 |
Colton Dowell, WR | Questionable | Feb 12 |
Lloyd Cushenberry III, C | Questionable | Feb 12 |
Game Information

Location: New Orleans, LA
Attendance: 70,005 · Capacity:
2024 AFC South Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Houston | 10 | 7 | .588 | 0 | 372 | 372 |
Indianapolis | 8 | 9 | .471 | 0 | 377 | 427 |
Jacksonville | 4 | 13 | .235 | 0 | 320 | 435 |
Tennessee | 3 | 14 | .176 | 0 | 311 | 460 |
2024 NFC South Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tampa Bay | 10 | 7 | .588 | 0 | 502 | 385 |
Atlanta | 8 | 9 | .471 | 0 | 389 | 423 |
Carolina | 5 | 12 | .294 | 0 | 341 | 534 |
New Orleans | 5 | 12 | .294 | 0 | 338 | 398 |
NFL News

Carson Schwesinger's NFL draft profile
Check out some of the top highlights from UCLA's Carson Schwesinger.

Tre Harris' NFL draft profile
Check out some stats and info from draft prospect Ole Miss' Tre Harris.

Ozzy Trapilo's NFL draft profile
Check out some of the top highlights from Boston College's Ozzy Trapilo.

Tannenbaum praises Cardinals for Trey McBride extension
Mike Tannenbaum and Mina Kimes weigh in on the Cardinals' move to lock up Trey McBride to a long-term deal.

Highest-paid NFL players: Most guaranteed money at every position
We have seen a fair share of massive contracts in the NFL. So who tops the highest-paid list at every position as of today?