Saints' precipitous slide is taking them back to the bad ole days

NEW ORLEANS — A New Orleans Saints team that looked so promising during the NFL season's first two weeks is now looking historically bad.

With a 26-8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, the Saints are in the midst of just their second six-game skid this century — the first in 19 years. Their most recent seven-game losing streak came in 1999 under then-coach Mike Ditka.

“We’ve got a lot of bad going on right now,” running back Alvin Kamara said bluntly. “I don’t think we’re a team that’s very committed to detail right now. ... I don’t think we have pride in those things, because if you would, we wouldn’t have so many other ailments.”

As losses have mounted, New Orleans' performance level has declined precipitously. During their first two defeats this season, the Saints held leads in the final minutes, but failed to close the deal.

Their past four losses have come by double digits — including three straight by 18 or more points.

The latest loss was particularly bad for morale because the Saints entered the game hoping the return of a handful of prominent starters would give them an edge over the banged-up Chargers.

Instead, the Chargers demonstrated how injuries can be overcome, while the Saints provided evidence of execution problems that go deeper than roster health.

The Saints' performance was not entirely devoid of highlights. But while Kamara and receiver Chris Olave both gained more than 100 yards from scrimmage, their successes were outweighed by untimely penalties and an array of other assignment or execution failures that stalled drives.

While New Orleans' defense looked resilient, getting three sacks and forcing six punts, that unit's job was made more difficult by how quickly it had to retake the field after the Saints' offense kept stalling.

“The margin for error right now is small," Saints coach Dennis Allen said. "When we have opportunities to make plays, I think we have to be able to make the plays.”

The previous two Saints coaches to endure skids of six or more games were Jim Haslett in 2005 and Ditka. Each was fired following those seasons.

Three of the past six losses have come without the services of injured starting quarterback Derek Carr, who is expected to return this week. If that's the case, the Saints can only hope it provides the spark they need, and that it's not already too late.

What’s working

The Saints defense has been solid early in games, only to be worn down as New Orleans' offense struggles to sustain the types of drives that can give defenders adequate time between series to rest and review needed adjustments. The Saints' first-quarter shutout of the Chargers was their third this season. Only once in eight games have the Saints allowed more than seven first-quarter points.

What needs help

The offense has hit the skids, particularly on opponents' side of midfield, and sank to a new low by producing just two field goals (the punt return team accounted for a safety).

“We made some explosive plays and then followed it up with penalties,” Allen said. “Right now, we’re not overcoming those. So, we’ve got to play a cleaner game to give ourselves a chance.”

The Saints went 2 for 16 on third downs. New Orleans was flagged six times for offensive penalties, including five on linemen.

Stock up

Olave returned from the concussion protocol and reclaimed his status as one of New Orleans' most productive players, catching eight passes from reserve QBs for 107 yards.

Stock down

The Saints hoped that Rattler, who was making his third straight start, would benefit from another week of experience and the return of several key offensive starters. But for the second straight game, Rattler was unable to lead a touchdown drive and was benched in favor of fellow reserve Jake Haener during the second half of a loss.

Injury report

CB Marshon Lattimore and RB Kendre Miller both left with hamstring injuries — and not for the first time this season.

“It’s unfortunate for those two players because they kind of had a little bit of that in their history," Allen said. "We’ve got to try to figure out how we can eliminate that.”

Rookie WR Bub Means injured his ankle. CB Rico Payton left with a back injury in the fourth quarter and TE Juwan Johnson was evaluated for a concussion.

Carr (oblique) missed his third straight game.

Key number

0 — The number of touchdowns the Saints scored in Los Angeles, despite the return of Olave, versatile tight end Taysom Hill and starting right guard Cesar Ruiz. It was the first game this season in which Saints failed to reach the end zone at all.

Up next

The Saints are back on the road this Sunday at Carolina, a team they routed, 47-10, in Week 1 in what misleadingly appeared at the time to be an auspicious debut of first-year coordinator Klint Kubiak's offense.