The New Orleans Saints faced off against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Field in Nashville in Week 10 and they were defeated by a final score of 23 to 21.

There were some positive takeaways from the game, but mostly, this was one that the Saints should be upset about losing. Though they were down 20-6 early in the third quarter, they clawed their way back from that moment on and put together 15 points in the second half with a chance to tie with a two-point conversion following a touchdown with 1:16 left in the game.

Saints coach Sean Payton drew up a nice play, but it was somewhat underthrown by quarterback Trevor Siemian and that was the game.

Here are three takeaways from the Saints' tough loss to the Titans in Week 10.

3. More offensive punch needed

With Drew Brees retired, Alvin Kamara out in Week 10 with a knee issue, and Michael Thomas missing the rest of the season due to a setback with his ankle injury, the Saints are sorely lacking any “home run hitters” on offense.

While the Saints looked fairly sprightly on offense at times, and in fact, the team even outgained the Titans—387 total yards to 264—the lack of a big threat marred New Orleans in the game.

Of course, the other side of it is that the Titans were missing a bevy of big names as well, including Julio Jones, Derrick Henry, and AJ Brown, but they managed to scrape together just enough offense to win the game—something that obviously could not be said of the Saints.

2. Fewer costly penalties

The Saints would’ve been in good shape in the game if not for two brutally costly penalties to end the first half. First, the Saints forced an incomplete pass on a third down from the Titan’s Ryan Tannehill, which looked as if the Saints would get a chance to put some more points on the board heading into halftime and garner all-important momentum for the second half.

Instead, a roughing the passer penalty was called, erasing that all-around good work from the defense. The trouble didn’t end there though.

After the penalty, the Saints secondary got nicked for a pass interference call right on the doorstep of their endzone, leading to a critical Titans touchdown to put them up 13-6 at the half. While the Saints valiantly attempted the comeback, they just couldn’t quite muster the offense necessary to pull it out.

The “what ifs” ring loud, however, when looking at those two crippling penalties to end the second quarter.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
JC Latham (Alabama), Chris Braswell (Alabama not Jaguars), Cornelieus Johnson (Michigan) in action behind a New Orleans Saints logo with a 2024 NFL Draft background.

Dylan Bruton ·

1. Take care of the football

Another critical play occurred on the opening kickoff in the second half. The Saints were receiving and looking to immediately answer back following that tough sequence to end the first half. Instead, they coughed up the opening kick and gift-wrapped a fumble for the Titans to recover at the Saints’ 18-yard line.

The play, obviously, directly led to a touchdown to put the Saints in a 20-6 hole that they would never escape from. Sure, they came close, but close isn’t enough when they had a chance to pull closer to division leader Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If New Orleans had won, the team would’ve had an identical record with the Buccaneers, but instead, Payton and his wards are one game back with eight games to play. Sure, the Buccaneers look a little shaky after two straight losses, but they have far fewer issues than the Saints do, and they certainly don’t have to worry about the quarterback position.

If the Saints can avoid critical mistakes like penalties and fumbles, they look good enough to compete with most teams. But if they don’t, they could lose to anyone—even if they mount a near-miraculous comeback.