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The New Orleans Saints’ 23-13 home loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday dropped them to 1-4 and extended their losing streak to three games. The defeat also sharpened the focus on head coach Kellen Moore before New Orleans heads to New York to face the Giants in Week 6.
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Locked On Saints host Ross Jackson said Moore no longer has the benefit of the doubt after what he called another familiar performance: a slow start, an offense that could not sustain production and a fourth-quarter loss of control. Jackson stressed that his view was analysis rather than reporting on the organization’s plans for Moore.
Jackson’s argument centered on New Orleans’ early-game failures. He said the Saints have held one first-quarter lead during Moore’s tenure, scored 35 first-quarter points since the start of the 2025 season and recorded 29 three-and-outs in those opening quarters, citing TruMedia Sports. Those are the numbers behind his concern that the same problems have carried from week to week.
The Saints have shown that their core players can make plays. Quarterback Tyler Shough, wide receiver Chris Olave and tight end Juwan Johnson give the offense legitimate options, while edge rusher Chase Young and the defense created takeaways against Minnesota. But Jackson’s point was that isolated plays have not fixed the larger issue. He said Shough should not have to rescue an offense that repeatedly begins games behind schedule.
The Vikings game supplied the latest example. Minnesota ran for 153 yards, including 113 from running back Aaron Jones, while quarterback Kyler Murray completed 24 of 30 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown. The Saints were tied after three quarters, but Minnesota pulled away with 10 fourth-quarter points.
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Jackson also questioned whether New Orleans’ preparation needs more than small practice adjustments. He pointed to a lack of counters against unexpected defensive looks, asking where the Saints’ easier answers, including play-action concepts and screen passes, have been when the opening script stalls.
Moore was hired as New Orleans’ head coach in February 2025, and the club finished his first season 6-11 after winning four of its final five games. That late improvement helped create optimism around Moore and Shough entering 2026. Five games into this season, the Saints have not built on it consistently enough.
New Orleans visits the New York Giants on Sunday, Oct. 18, before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris on Oct. 25. For Moore, the immediate assignment is plain: give the Saints an offense that can establish control before another game turns into a comeback attempt.
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This story was originally published October 11, 2026 at 9:59 PM.