The New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars ended their second exhibition game of the preseason in a 17-17 tie at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday.
Rarely have the Saints ever been as excited about a tie. But they had to be ecstatic with this outcome after trailing for most of the game's first 59 minutes.
Spencer Rattler led a frantic game-tying touchdown drive and two-point conversion in the final seconds and Jonas Sanker preserved the tie with an interception in Saints territory as time expired, preventing a potential game-winning field goal attempt by the Jaguars.
Here’s what we learned from the game:
Spencer Rattler made his case for QB1
Rattler thoroughly outplayed Tyler Shough in the ongoing competition for the starting quarterback job.
Rattler led the offense to score in three of five second-half possessions, including a last-second game-tying touchdown drive in the final seconds. The second-year quarterback from South Carolina was mobbed by teammates on the sideline after leading the frantic, last-second comeback, a telling sign, perhaps.
Rattler's final numbers reflect the efficiency of his performance. In two quarters of work, he completed 18 of 24 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown, while operating with the backup offensive line and receiving corps. His lone blemish was an interception that killed another scoring opportunity in the red zone.
Overall, Rattler moved the offense with better consistency and poise. Whether it was enough to earn the starting job for the season opener against Arizona in three weeks remains to be seen, but it certainly was the most emphatic statement by a Saints quarterback this preseason.
By comparison, Shough didn’t get much done. His numbers weren’t awful — 9 of 12 for 66 yards — but he managed to produce just one field goal in four first-half possessions. He wasn’t helped by the shaky offensive line play and a big drop by Chris Olave on third down that would have given the offense a first down.
The offensive line is a work in progress
No matter who starts at quarterback, they're going to need better play from the offensive line if they're going to have a chance at success.
With starters at three new positions, the offensive line figured to experience some growing pains in camp. And so far, that’s been the case.
Playing for most of the first half behind what figures to be the starting unit sans center Erik McCoy, Tyler Shough was sacked twice and pressured often in 14 dropbacks in the first half. This came on the heels of the line allowing several sacks in a joint scrimmage against the Rams and five sacks in the exhibition opener against the Chargers.
The rushing attack wasn’t much better. The Saints rushed for a meager 35 yards on 12 carries in the first three quarters.
Exacerbating the problem, right guard Cesar Ruiz appeared to injure his lower leg in a pile-up after a sack late in the first half. He returned to the sideline in the second half but was in street clothes. With Trevor Penning, Will Clapp and Nick Saldiveri already sidelined, the Saints can’t afford any more attrition to this unit.
Mason Tipton continues to shine
Another game, another explosive play by the speedy receiver.
His diving 45-yard catch on a bomb from Rattler was the Saints’ biggest play of the game and helped set up a Charlie Smyth field goal.
Tipton, who had a 54-yard touchdown catch against the Chargers, also drew a 45-yard pass interference penalty against Christian Braswell to set up another field goal.
He finished with a game-high of six receptions and 100 yards.
In two games, the second-year receiver from Yale leads the Saints with 154 receiving yards on seven receptions.
Veteran Brandin Cooks figures to be the third receiver because of his veteran experience and status. But Tipton has emerged as a viable option behind Olave and Rashid Shaheed. He has been the brightest spot in the receiving corps throughout the preseason.