Rookie QB Spencer Rattler leads winning drive in 4th quarter, the Saints top the Cardinals 16-14
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) New Orleans rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler led the winning drive in final minute, providing a spark in his bid to become the team’s backup quarterback this season, and the Saints beat the Arizona Cardinals 16-14 in preseason action Saturday night.
Rattler - a fifth-round selection out of South Carolina - spearheaded a 12-play, 56-yard drive in the final two minutes, capped by a 37-yard field goal from Charlie Smyth with five seconds left.
The Saints are trying to decide on a backup quarterback behind Derek Carr and it’s a duel between Rattler and second-year player Jake Haener.
Haener played most of the first half, completing 9 of 13 passes for 107 yards. His big moment came near the end of the second quarter when he connected with A.T. Perry on a 58-yard pass down the sideline, which set up a field goal. Perry finished with a team-high 85 yards receiving.
Rattler had a 4-yard touchdown in the third quarter, giving the Saints a 13-7 lead. A star at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix before going on to Oklahoma and South Carolina, he was 9 of 17 for 70 yards.
Saints rookie left tackle Taliese Fuaga started and played a decent chunk of the first half. He was selected with the No. 14 overall pick out of Oregon State.
The Cardinals sat most of their starters with a few exceptions, including No. 4 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. The former Ohio State receiver - who was the first non-quarterback selected in the draft - played one series and didn’t catch a pass.
Arizona starting quarterback Kyler Murray didn’t play as expected.
Coach Jonathan Gannon said he wanted to use the preseason to evaluate backup quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Clayton Tune, who are fighting for the No. 2 spot. Ridder started 13 games for the Atlanta last season before the Cardinals added him in an offseason trade that sent receiver Rondale Moore to the Falcons.
Ridder played the first half, completing 4 of 9 passes for 43 yards while also carrying the ball five times for 39 yards.
Tune topped Ridder’s passing output on the first drive of the second half, leading a nine-play, 70-yard drive that ended with Michael Carter’s 11-yard touchdown run. The second-year quarterback 4 of 5 passes for 54 yards during the drive.
Tune finished 15 of 24 passing for 163 yards and a 10-yard touchdown with 1:55 left in the fourth.
New Orleans played more of its starters than Arizona, but most weren't in the game for long. Derek Carr completed 2 of 6 passes for 12 yards, Alvin Kamara had two carries for three yards and Chris Olave made one catch for 10 yards.
It was a slow offensive start for both teams. The Saints led 6-0 at the halftime after two field goals from Blake Grupe, one from 26 yards and the other from 33.
Arizona had the edge in total yards, leading 328 to 286.
Gannon announced earlier this week that Murray won't play at all in preseason games as the team tries to protect his health.
Murray missed roughly 11 months while rehabbing a torn ACL in his right knee that caused him to miss parts of the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He returned for the last eight games last season.
Saints: At San Francisco on Aug. 18.
Cardinals: At Indianapolis next Saturday.
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Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
J. Haener
3 QB
4 FPTS
|
J. Haener | 9/13 | 107 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Rattler
18 QB
8 FPTS
|
S. Rattler | 9/17 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Carr
4 QB
0 FPTS
|
D. Carr | 2/6 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Mims
33 RB
5 FPTS
|
J. Mims | 10 | 38 | 0 | 10 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Robinson
26 RB
3 FPTS
|
J. Robinson | 7 | 27 | 0 | 7 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Williams
21 RB
3 FPTS
|
J. Williams | 6 | 20 | 0 | 7 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Rattler
18 QB
8 FPTS
|
S. Rattler | 2 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Haener
3 QB
4 FPTS
|
J. Haener | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Kamara
41 RB
0 FPTS
|
A. Kamara | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Kibodi
35 RB
2 FPTS
|
J. Kibodi | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
A. Perry
17 WR
12 FPTS
|
A. Perry | 4 | 4 | 85 | 0 | 58 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Holker
85 TE
5 FPTS
|
D. Holker | 3 | 3 | 24 | 0 | 15 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Nacua
86 WR
3 FPTS
|
S. Nacua | 4 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 13 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Morgan
14 WR
2 FPTS
|
S. Morgan | 4 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Olave
12 WR
2 FPTS
|
C. Olave | 4 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Robinson
26 RB
3 FPTS
|
J. Robinson | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Mims
33 RB
5 FPTS
|
J. Mims | 5 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Kibodi
35 RB
2 FPTS
|
J. Kibodi | 2 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Austin Jr.
81 WR
1 FPTS
|
K. Austin Jr. | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Jacobson
86 TE
1 FPTS
|
M. Jacobson | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Williams
21 RB
3 FPTS
|
J. Williams | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Wilson Jr.
11 WR
1 FPTS
|
C. Wilson Jr. | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Callaway
10 WR
0 FPTS
|
M. Callaway | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
M. Rice
59 LB
|
M. Rice | 7-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. McKinstry
34 CB
|
K. McKinstry | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Gay Jr.
6 LB
|
W. Gay Jr. | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. McCain III
42 CB
|
M. McCain III | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Teamer
30 SAF
|
R. Teamer | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Jackson
52 LB
|
D. Jackson | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Wright
28 DB
|
R. Wright | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Ford
53 LB
|
J. Ford | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Orji
58 LB
|
A. Orji | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Harris
5 DB
|
W. Harris | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Hayball
43 P
|
M. Hayball | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Young
99 DE
|
C. Young | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Hudson
47 LB
|
K. Hudson | 1-3 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Gray
48 DB
|
J. Gray | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Johnson
37 DB
|
L. Johnson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Bradford
38 SAF
|
M. Bradford | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Rose
59 LB
|
M. Rose | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Turner
98 DE
|
P. Turner | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Granderson
96 DE
|
C. Granderson | 1-1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Bresee
90 DT
|
B. Bresee | 1-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Payton
36 CB
|
R. Payton | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Lalos
57 DE
|
N. Lalos | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Abram
24 DB
|
J. Abram | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Howden
31 SAF
|
J. Howden | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Boyd
97 DT
|
K. Boyd | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Taylor
1 CB
|
A. Taylor | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Heflin
95 DT
|
J. Heflin | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Vickers
91 DE
|
K. Vickers | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Shepherd
93 DE
|
N. Shepherd | 0-2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
L. Hedley
15 P
|
L. Hedley | 4 | 46.8 | 3 | 49 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Hayball
43 P
|
M. Hayball | 3 | 53.0 | 0 | 61 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Mims
33 RB
5 FPTS
|
J. Mims | 2 | 26.0 | 27 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Robinson
26 RB
3 FPTS
|
J. Robinson | 1 | 29.0 | 29 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
C. Wilson Jr. 11 WR
1 FPTS
|
C. Wilson Jr. | 2 | 12.0 | 14 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
M. Carter
22 RB
10 FPTS
|
M. Carter | 7 | 41 | 1 | 11 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Ridder
19 QB
4 FPTS
|
D. Ridder | 5 | 39 | 0 | 22 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Benson
33 RB
2 FPTS
|
T. Benson | 8 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Dallas
20 RB
2 FPTS
|
D. Dallas | 3 | 21 | 0 | 9 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Jones
37 RB
12 FPTS
|
T. Jones | 5 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Tune
15 QB
12 FPTS
|
C. Tune | 2 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. Weaver
30 WR
3 FPTS
|
X. Weaver | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. Chisena
17 WR
11 FPTS
|
D. Chisena | 5 | 5 | 63 | 0 | 27 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Baccellia
82 WR
4 FPTS
|
A. Baccellia | 3 | 2 | 27 | 0 | 18 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Jones
37 RB
12 FPTS
|
T. Jones | 3 | 3 | 24 | 1 | 12 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Whiteheart
89 TE
4 FPTS
|
B. Whiteheart | 3 | 2 | 22 | 0 | 18 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Pascal
0 WR
3 FPTS
|
Z. Pascal | 4 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 22 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Moore
10 WR
2 FPTS
|
C. Moore | 1 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Palmer
83 WR
2 FPTS
|
T. Palmer | 6 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
X. Weaver
30 WR
3 FPTS
|
X. Weaver | 4 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 9 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Vokolek
81 TE
1 FPTS
|
T. Vokolek | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Seikovits
80 TE
1 FPTS
|
B. Seikovits | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
T. Nowaske
53 LB
|
T. Nowaske | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Stills
55 DT
|
D. Stills | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Bailey
41 LB
|
M. Bailey | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Taylor-Demerson
42 DB
|
D. Taylor-Demerson | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Hall
30 CB
|
D. Hall | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Jones
96 DT
|
N. Jones | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. Thomas
54 LB
|
X. Thomas | 2-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Chachere
36 DB
|
A. Chachere | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
O. Pappoe
44 LB
|
O. Pappoe | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Davis
39 DB
|
J. Davis | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Wilson
27 CB
|
D. Wilson | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Luketa
43 LB
|
J. Luketa | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Ojemudia
29 CB
|
M. Ojemudia | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Price
26 DB
|
B. Price | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Blount
32 SAF
|
J. Blount | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Robinson
56 DL
|
D. Robinson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Thomas
97 LB
|
C. Thomas | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Lopez
98 DT
|
R. Lopez | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Clark
13 CB
|
K. Clark | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Barnes
51 LB
|
K. Barnes | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Murphy
57 DL
|
M. Murphy | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Maddox-Williams
58 LB
|
T. Maddox-Williams | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. McKinley III
35 SAF
|
V. McKinley III | 0-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Tonga
95 DT
|
K. Tonga | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Stille
90 DE
|
B. Stille | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. Prater
5 K
2 FPTS
|
M. Prater | 0/0 | 0 | 2/2 | 2 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. Gillikin
12 P
|
B. Gillikin | 5 | 44.2 | 1 | 57 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Dallas
20 RB
2 FPTS
|
D. Dallas | 1 | 30.0 | 30 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Jones
37 RB
12 FPTS
|
T. Jones | 1 | 22.0 | 22 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
X. Weaver
30 WR
3 FPTS
|
X. Weaver | 1 | 28.0 | 28 | 0 |