Coming into Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, the New Orleans Saints had not made many big plays through four weeks of the season. But that changed when two huge ones – one on offense and the other on defense – paved the way for a 26-14 routing of New York and the first win of head coach Kellen Moore’s tenure in the Big Easy.
The first big play came in the second quarter when Spencer Rattler, who found his first win as a starting quarterback, connected with the speedy Rashid Shaheed on an 87-yard touchdown. Then, in the fourth quarter, defensive tackle Bryan Bresee forced a fumble with the loose ball being picked up by safety Jordan Howden and returned 86 yards to the house.
THE NEED FOR SHAHEED!
87 yards to the house
CBS pic.twitter.com/7144MlHuXw
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 5, 2025
HOLY HOWDEN!
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 5, 2025
Here’s how the rest of the game between the Saints (1-4) and Giants (1-4) played out.
Scoring summary
New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart got the game started with touchdown passes on consecutive possessions with the Saints getting a field goal in between. On the receiving end of both scores was tight end Theo Johnson – the first on a one-yard dump pass and the second on a 15-yard design route – to make it a 14-3 game early.
Unfortunately for New York and the former Ole Miss signal-caller, this would be the last time they crossed the goal line. Six Giant turnovers – three fumbles, two interceptions, and a turnover on downs – plagued any offensive spark and allowed New Orleans the opportunity to take over.
After Dart’s second touchdown pass, New Orleans scored on five of its next six possessions:
- Blake Grupe 53-yard field goal with 7:41 remaining in the second quarter (14-6 Giants)
- Rattler 87-yard touchdown pass to Shaheed with 5:16 left in the second quarter (14-13 Giants after successful PAT)
- Grupe 29-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter (16-14 Saints)
- Grupe 28-yard field goal with 6:55 left in the third quarter (19-14 Saints)
- Howden 86-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown with 14:47 left in the fourth quarter (26-14 Saints after successful PAT)
What the coach said
Moore, who is in his first year as a head coach after serving as a Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator with Philadelphia, took all the limelight away from himself after the game and placed it on his players and assistants.
“This is a special group,” Moore said, adding that the first win may have come later than anyone wanted but with hopes it can serve as a catalyst moving through the rest of the season. “The resiliency [they have] to hang in there despite our record for the first month.”
Numbers never lie
Rattler had one of his best games to date, completing 20 of 30 passes for 225 yards and one touchdown. While Shaheed (4 catches, 114 yards) and his highlight touchdown stole the stat line, fellow receiver Chris Olave added 59 yards on seven catches. Running back Alvin Kamara totaled 55 yards, while Kendre Miller rushed for 51 yards on 10 carries.
Rattler’s pass to Shaheed was the longest play for both players and the longest Saints play from scrimmage since an 87-yard touchdown connection between Drew Brees and Brandin Cooks on Oct. 16, 2016. Howden’s fumble recovery for a score tied for the fifth-longest play in franchise history and the second-longest fumble recovery in team history behind Scott Mitchell’s 90-yarder in 2000.
Taysom Hill also returned to action for the first time since suffering a knee injury on Dec. 1, 2024. Going straight back to being a Swiss army knife, Hill completed a 19-yard pass to tight end Juwan Johnson and rushed the ball a handful of times.
Leading the way on defense for New Orleans was Mississippi native Demario Davis with a team-high 10 tackles. Defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry had two interceptions while defensive end Cam Jordan grabbed a fumble.
For New York, Dart went 26 of 40 passing for 202 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Rookie running back Cameron Skattebo rushed for 59 yards on 15 carries, while Bobby Okereke led the defense with 10 tackles.
Next up
New Orleans: hosts the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 12, at noon CT.
New York: hosts the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7:15 p.m. CT.
