NFL

Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints

· National Football League
3-0, 1-0 Away
Final
30 - 27
1-2, 0-1 Home

Saints' 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.

Moment of silence The Saints requested a moment of silence in honor of longtime sportscaster Ed Daniels, who died at age 67 from the effects of a heart attack he had while in California to cover the club's training camp. Daniels was a New Orleans native who'd worked for ABC affiliate WGNO since 1992.

Rare sighting Titans injury-riddled cornerback Caleb Farley, a 2021 first-round draft choice, played for the first time since the middle of the 2022 season. He was credited with an assisted tackle.

“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.”

Injuries Titans: S Elijah Molden briefly received treatment on the field after a second-quarter tackle before walking to the sideline on his own. He was evaluated for concussion symptoms. ... LB Chance Campbell went to locker room with a knee injury.

Saints: CB Rezjohn Wright went to the locker room in the first quarter with an apparent left leg injury.

Up next Titans: Open the regular season at Chicago on Sept. 8.

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

TEN TD 1st Period 6:23 Tony Pollard 1 Yd Run (Nick Folk Kick)
TEN FG 2nd Period 14:11 Nick Folk 39 Yd Field Goal
NO TD 2nd Period 9:49 Equanimeous St. Brown 21 Yd pass from Spencer Rattler (Blake Grupe Kick)
TEN FG 2nd Period 1:52 Brayden Narveson 26 Yd Field Goal
NO FG 2nd Period 0:30 Blake Grupe 54 Yd Field Goal
NO FG 3rd Period 11:57 Blake Grupe 38 Yd Field Goal
TEN FG 3rd Period 5:21 Brayden Narveson 31 Yd Field Goal
NO TD 4th Period 13:54 Jacob Kibodi 11 Yd Run (Blake Grupe Kick)
TEN TD 4th Period 9:40 Bryce Oliver 34 Yd pass from Malik Willis (Brayden Narveson Kick)
NO TD 4th Period 6:26 Jacob Kibodi 2 Yd Run (Blake Grupe Kick)
TEN TD 4th Period 1:25 Bryce Oliver 5 Yd pass from Malik Willis (Brayden Narveson Kick)

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/ten.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originTEN https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/no.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originNO
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

Game Information

Caesars Superdome

Location: New Orleans, LA
Attendance: 70,005 · Capacity:

2024 AFC South Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Houston 9 6 .600 0 347 327
Indianapolis 7 8 .467 0 318 359
Jacksonville 3 12 .200 0 277 396
Tennessee 3 12 .200 0 284 417

2024 NFC South Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Atlanta 8 7 .533 0 327 349
Tampa Bay 8 7 .533 0 427 352
New Orleans 5 10 .333 0 309 346
Carolina 4 11 .267 0 283 448
Full Standings

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