Saints QB Spencer Rattler on Green Bay Shutout: ‘Just Embarrassing’
NEW ORLEANS, La. – New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler expressed his deep disappointment and frustration following his team’s humiliating 30-0 shutout loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
“It’s just embarrassing,” Rattler said after the game. “There’s no other way to put it. We came out flat, we didn’t execute, and we got our butts kicked. It’s on me as the quarterback. I have to be better.”
Rattler, who was making his third career start in place of the injured Jameis Winston, struggled mightily against the Packers’ defense. He completed just 12 of 29 passes for 110 yards, was sacked four times, and threw two interceptions. The Saints’ offense failed to score a single point for the first time since 2012.
The Saints’ offensive struggles were evident from the outset. They went three-and-out on their first three possessions and failed to convert a third down until late in the second quarter. Rattler was under constant pressure from the Packers’ pass rush, and his receivers struggled to get open.
“We couldn’t protect Spencer, and we couldn’t get our receivers open,” said Saints head coach Dennis Allen. “It was a complete failure on our part. We have to take a hard look in the mirror and figure out how to fix this.”
The Saints’ defense, which had been a bright spot in recent weeks, also struggled against the Packers. Aaron Rodgers threw for 229 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Aaron Jones rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown. The Packers controlled the ball for nearly 37 minutes and converted 10 of 16 third downs.
“We didn’t play well enough in any phase of the game,” said Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu. “We got outplayed, outcoached, and out-executed. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but we have to learn from this and move on.”
The loss drops the Saints to 2-5 on the season and further complicates their playoff hopes. They will face a tough test next week when they travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks.
Rattler’s Struggles
Rattler’s performance against the Packers was a major concern for the Saints. The former Heisman Trophy candidate has shown flashes of potential in his three starts, but he has also made some costly mistakes.
Rattler’s decision-making has been particularly troubling. He has thrown six interceptions in his three starts, including two against the Packers. He also has a tendency to hold onto the ball too long, which has led to several sacks.
“I need to be smarter with the football,” Rattler said. “I can’t afford to make those kinds of mistakes. I have to learn from them and get better.”
Offensive Line Woes
The Saints’ offensive line has been a major problem all season long. They have allowed 22 sacks in seven games, which is tied for the most in the NFL.</ The Packers' pass rush was particularly effective against the Saints, sacking Rattler four times and forcing him to scramble out of the pocket on numerous occasions.
“We have to protect our quarterback better,” said Saints left tackle Ryan Ramczyk. “We’re not doing a good enough job of that right now. We have to find a way to improve.”
Moving Forward
The Saints have a bye week after their game against the Seahawks. They will need to use that time to evaluate their performance and make some adjustments.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Allen said. “We have to figure out how to fix our offense and get our defense playing better. We have a lot of talent on this team, but we’re not playing up to our potential right now.”
The Saints’ playoff hopes are still alive, but they need to turn things around quickly. They have a tough schedule remaining, but they have shown in the past that they can overcome adversity.