NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - **Take One: Franchise in a funk**
When the Saints walked off the field in Baltimore having upset the Ravens to improve to, 1-1. It appeared they were on the path back to respectability. They had three straight road games on their schedule next against: Las Vegas, Atlanta and Minnesota.
When they went up 27-16 in the second half against the Raiders, it felt like the good vibes may, at long last, be returning to New Orleans.
But then Tyler Shough was sacked and fumbled on a 3rd&1 in the fourth quarter of that game, and this team hasn’t been the same since.
Over the last nine quarters of play, the Saints have been outscored 81-37 and have not displayed the same level of overall football competency that brought the initial excitement.
Sunday was the latest example. The Vikings were the better team who outplayed and outcoached the Saints to hand them a well-deserved, 23-13 loss.
Now the team finds themselves in the exact same spot as they were a season ago through five games: 1-4. Only this year, it can’t be written off to a rookie head coach in his first season. This year it feels like underachievement that will require an incredible sense of urgency to turn things around.
**Take Two: No Home sweet Dome**
At some point in the second half Sunday, a ‘SKOL’ chant broke out in the Dome.
For those that may have forgotten, SKOL is to Vikings fans what ‘Who Dat’ is to Saints fans.
It was a reminder of just how far things have fallen not just for the Saints, but for the Saints inside the Superdome. It used to be the place that struck fear in the hearts of opponents for years as one of the loudest and most intimidating venues in the NFL. The product on the field would match the intensity in the stands.
Now, the team just went 0-3 in a three-game homestand with the lower bowl half-filled with opposing fans who are able to take over the stadium in the second half.
Of all the things that have fallen in the recent years, the Saints inability to reclaim the Dome field advantage remains one of the most disappointing.
**Take Three: Beaten by the Blitz**
It was surprising to read the stat line and saw Shough was only sacked once in the game. For the amount of times he was pressured, it felt like he’d been sacked much more than that.
It’s no secret to the Vikings defensive game plan. Everyone knew the blitz was coming. That’s what Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ unit is known for.
Kellen Moore said they had a plan, and then quickly said that it clearly didn’t work.
The offense had no real rhythm or cohesion all game long. In total, that side of the ball finished with just one scoring drive, four 3 &outs, four punts, one turnover on downs and two interceptions.
They gained just 142 total yards and held onto the ball for barely twenty minutes. It was easily the most inept the offense has looked all season.
**Take Four: Defense’s day**
The Saints defense did play better Sunday. They were far from perfect but considering they were on the field for nearly 40 minutes that side of the ball was much better after their debacle against Atlanta Monday night.
Chase Young’s fumble recovery helped set up the Saints first and only offensive scoring drive. Jonas Sanker’s 87-yard touchdown on a fumble return frankly helped save the game when it was on the verge of really getting away from them.
However, the defense couldn’t contain Kyler Murray on some key third downs and also allowed 153 yards on the ground.
**Take Five: Other Observations**
* Drew Brees was officially inducted in the ring of honor Sunday at halftime. The moment was great, but as the game unfolded with Brees in the booth, not on the field, it was also another reminder that the good ole days are long gone.
* The contrast in kickers was evident Sunday. Will Reichard is the Vikings biggest scoring threat. He was 3/3 on field goals. Daniel Carlson remains inconsistent. Sanker’s touchdown fumble recovery only led to a tie game because Carlson’s missed the extra point.
* Justin Jefferson’s return made a difference. However, his touchdown catch should have been an interception. Quincy Riley was in position to undercut the corner route in the end zone, but he jumped too early and collided with Sanker instead.
* Shough wouldn’t comment if he was playing with a broken hand Sunday. It was pretty obvious he was favoring it. He kept using his right hand to hand the ball off on run plays that went to the left.
* Jayden Price’s fumble on the opening second half kickoff was a huge swing. The Saints actually had a lead at halftime and were getting the ball to start the second. The Vikings scored on that Jefferson touchdown a few plays later.
* Terrible throw by Shough on his first interception. He called it a poor pass afterward. However, a completion wouldn’t have mattered. The Saints were called for holding on the play.
* The Saints won’t be back home until November 8th against the Browns. Perhaps that’s a good thing for this current group.
_See a spelling or grammar error in our story?_ [_Click Here_](mailto:WVUE-digitalcontent@gray.tv) _to report it. Please include the headline._
_Subscribe to the Fox 8_ [_YouTube channel_](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ijTadOgOLbGWGC1rRy9lA?sub_confirmation=1)_._
_Copyright 2026 WVUE. All rights reserved._