Fans on social media react to Saints' 16-14 preseason win over Cardinals
It wasn't pretty, but there were some bright spots as the New Orleans Saints got the outcome they were looking for in the 2024 preseason opener with a 16-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
It took over 29 minutes for the offense to finally find its rhythm, something Saints fans know the sight of all too well after the lackluster overall performance overall by that side of the ball. But there was reason for optimism after former Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener connected with wide receiver A.T. Perry on a well-thrown 58-yarder.
It was not long after that Spencer Rattler, who is currently giving Haener quite the battle for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart at quarterback, entered the game and put the first Saints points on the board with a 4-yard rollout to the right as he made his way to the end zone.
On a day where the defense shone in a low-scoring affair, led by linebacker Monty Rice, who totaled 7 tackles, it was Rattler who gave the Saints the final edge. New Orleans was down in the final minutes of the game, trailing the Cardinals by just one point.
Rattler marched them down the field, setting up Charlie Smyth's 37-yard field goal to win the game in the last five seconds.
Here's a look at what fans and observers on social media had to say on first impressions of 2024's squad:
That Saints locker room is excited, to say the least.
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) August 11, 2024
Saints 1st team defense looked good. Spencer Rattler looked solid on his first pro playing debut and led a game winning FG against the Cardinals. I hope Rattler continues to get better so he can threaten to steal Derek Carr-bage's QB1 job. #NOvsAZ
— ⚜ WHO DAT Cool Breesy ⚜ (@Steve2duhO) August 11, 2024
#Saints 16, Cardinals 14. Saints did some good stuff, did some bad stuff. We're on to San Francisco.
— Les East (@Les_East) August 11, 2024
Cardinals giving up 40 yards in the Saints last possession is typical cardinals behavior.
— Phx Local (@BlazzinValley) August 11, 2024
SCARY PERRY WITH A HUGE PLAY AFTER THE DEEP SHOT FROM JAKE HAENER
AT Perry is gonna be a PROBLEM in year 2 pic.twitter.com/NfzFF5SKW3— Trizzy Trace (@tracegirouard48) August 11, 2024
Me watching Jake Haener complete a bomb to AT Perry https://t.co/Ww8yVnUHj3 pic.twitter.com/PHRMHEapxp
— Nick Kostos (@TheKostos) August 11, 2024
Monty Rice was making some good plays out there today.
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) August 8, 2024
New Saints LB Willie Gay Jr. all over the field early in this game as defense keeps giving reasons for optimism.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) August 11, 2024
Great instincts again by Willie Gay Jr.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) August 11, 2024
I think today basically confirmed what we knew. The saints defense is faster than it has been and deeper and if justin simmons is added has top 3 potential. The offense has 3 spots for sure at OL but legit everything else is a question mark. And they need to answer LG or RT
— Freaking about Football (@FreakyPeezy) August 11, 2024
Got to chat with Charlie Smyth on the field postgame. If you think that was just another preseason kick … you’re wrong. His family was watching back in Ireland even though it’s like 4 a.m. there right now. First ever kick in an American football game and it’s a game-winner.
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) August 11, 2024
That's the game 16-14.
Spencer Rattler leads a game-winning drive with an unbelievably clutch kick by rookie kicker Charlie Smyth. That's a win for New Orleans in a couple different ways.— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) August 11, 2024
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Fans on social media react to Saints' 16-14 preseason win over Cardinals
