Spencer Rattler had his chance to lock down the New Orleans Saints’ [quarterback competition](https://www.nola.com/tncms/asset/editorial/3a20d26f-907e-4217-bd7a-1cf9c20fddf8/).
Tyler Shough had his chance to steal the spotlight.
Instead, in Sunday’s 28-19 preseason loss to the Denver Broncos, the two quarterbacks continued to be neck and neck.
Neither quarterback definitively created the separation that coach Kellen Moore was perhaps hoping to see, and now the Saints end the preseason with a choice on their hands.
Does New Orleans start Rattler or Shough when it next plays for real in Sept. 7’s season opener against the Arizona Cardinals?
After three preseason games, the stats reflect how close this competition has been. Rattler posted an 86.9 passer rating in three games to Shough’s 81.8. On Saturday, Rattler went 5-8 for 43 yards, whereas Shough went 12-20 for 102 yards with one rushing touchdown and one fumble.
Entering the afternoon, signs arguably pointed to Rattler being in pole position to win the job. While Moore downplayed the significance of the second-year quarterback getting another start with the first team, the reality was that Rattler was picked to start two of the team’s three preseason games. And if he had done well enough to earn those reps, then the logical assumption was that Rattler could secure his status with a splashy performance.
But in three drives, Rattler didn’t have the kind of defining moment that he had last week — when he led a game-tying touchdown drive in the final minutes of last week’s tie against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Rattler still managed to lead the Saints to two separate field goals. Chris Olave appeared to be his favorite target in the process, connecting with the wideout on three passes for 29 yards. The Saints first settled for a 56-yard field goal and later on a 48-yarder.
But there were opportunities that Rattler just didn’t make. On the Saints’ opening drive, Rattler’s third-down pass to Brandin Cooks was broken up by All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain — a play that could have benefited from Devaughn Vele’s size, though the recently acquired receiver did not play against his former team. Then, on the next series, Rattler was seemingly late on a post route that Rashid Shaheed could have potentially taken off for a touchdown if it had been completed.
Rattler’s third drive wasn’t any better. He was stopped short of the first down on a fourth-and-1 quarterback sneak, resulting in a turnover on downs. The Broncos soon kicked a field goal to take a 13-6 lead.
If Rattler’s performance opened the door for Shough, however, the rookie didn’t sprint through it.
It took Shough a few drives to settle in. Until his fourth series, Shough was spotty on throws, settled for checkdowns and even committed a costly turnover when he fumbled inside the Saints’ own 20-yard line. Shough’s strip-sack fumble ended up costing the Saints a touchdown as Broncos running back Audric Estime eventually hit the hole for a 5-yard score.
But Shough did find a rhythm. Just as he did with his pick-6 in New Orleans’ preseason opener two weeks ago, the second-rounder bounced back with an impressive response.
Over the next 12 plays, Shough diced Denver’s secondary as he methodically led the Saints down the field. Shough completed 6 of his 8 passes for 57 yards, with the two incompletions the result of a throwaway and a drop.
Then, to finally get New Orleans in the end zone, Shough took off on a read-option for an 11-yard touchdown. On the play, Shough scanned the defense and saw two defenders crashing in on running back Devin Neal — creating the opening for Shough to pull it. The rookie’s instincts on such plays have been a constant all summer, and the ability adds an extra layer to New Orleans’ run game.
Shough’s score, which cut Denver’s lead to 22-16, was what Moore needed to see for the day. Rather than let the quarterback lead a potential comeback drive on the following series, the coach opted to put in third-stringer Jake Haener.
And now, Moore is left with one big decision.