Saints vs. Giants 2025
NFL fans were clad in black and blue as they teemed into Ceasars Superdome in New Orleans to see the hometown Saints face-off against the New York Giants.
This contest, comprised of the two last place teams in the NFC, was ultimately a battle for last place—a far cry from the remarkable landmark game almost a decade earlier when the two teams battled each other to determine who could capture the most records in a single game. With Drew Brees spearheading the Saints and Eli Manning for the Giants, the 2015 game saw both teams score a combined total of 101 points in total, accumulated 855 passing yards, 63 first downs, and a staggering 1,024 yards of total offense.
But while that game on All Saints Day ten years earlier ended with a 52-49 Saints victory in the final seconds, this game did not have the skilled acumen and leadership in either team's current QBs.
The Game
New Orleans quarterback Spencer Rattler went into the game with an unpromising perfect loss record for the season. NY's rookie Jaxson Dart—who served his time as a LSU nemesis when a QB at Ole Miss before ascending to the Giants' top spot—was similarly humbled with a 1-3 season record. Whether it was the eternal hope of a win from both sides or the likelihood of a win from each fan base because the two teams were so evenly matched, excitement infused the Dome.
Blue shirts were uncomfortably noticeable in the seats, but the Black and Gold represented, despite the open seats smattered throughout. More odd were the friends and families that enjoyed the game together while wearing opposing jerseys.
Wil Brown wore Jaxson's number 6 Giants jersey, laughing with a Karama-clad friend, Juan Villa.
Villa, attending from Mississippi, admitted to starting his "football journey" in discovering his enjoyment of the game recently and found his way to cheer on the Saints as he "keeps growing and growing" in his passion.
In explaining his New York shirt while talking with a Southern drawl, Buddy Brown shrugged and simply stated the obvious, "Manning."
Indeed, Eli Manning created many local Giants fans in attendance. Another Ole Miss alumni QB for New York, Eli Manning dominated 16 seasons while leading Big Blue from 2004-2019, including his notable performance in the 2015 matchup, in which he and Brees completed 13 passing touchdowns—seven of which elevated Brees to setting a NFL record for touchdown passes. Giants' Eli Manning, one of NOLA's favorite sons, did not make it easy.
"It's Dart time," one enthusiastic Giants fan declared at kickoff.
And so it seemed for the first quarter as the Giants were up quickly with an impressive 14-3 lead early into the second quarter. But just as Saints fans contemplated a halftime departure, Dart turnovers started. By the time the clock ran out at halftime—and largely due to an 87-yard touchdown run by Rashid Shaheed after catching a perfect pass from Rattler—the Saints surprised the crowd by taking the lead, 16-14.
Dart threw two interceptions, and the team endured fumbles by Darius Slayton and Cam Skattebo. Saints safety Jordan Howden returned Skattebo's fumble with a 86-yard run to score on the opening play of the fourth quarter.
"That may be the most exciting play this entire season," one exuberant fan exclaimed, feeling the tide turn in the game.
With a final turnover late in the fourth quarter, the Saints took possession and kneaded out for a 26-14 victory—their first win of the 2025 season. More significantly, this is Spencer Rattler's first win in the NFL, once again securing the notion that "There is no place like Dome."
After the Game
Among the happy Saints fans celebrating in Champions Square afterwards was Emily Cochran, from Mobile, AL, with her family. "It was heart versus head," they surmised. "The heart wants to win, but Giants want the first-round draft pick. It's a strategic loss," her father laughed.
"It may be Arch," Cochran's father said, referring to University of Texas QB phenom Arch Manning, a New Orleans native and member of the Manning football dynasty who is a lock in the NFL draft when he graduates. "...but it might not," she reminded her father.
Despite still being last in the NFC, the Saints have the dubious distinction of sharing the 1-4 loss record, thus not being alone. Although three teams share the record in the AFC, the Jets now have the sole claim to a 0-5 record in the NFL.
But with this Rattler win, fans were obviously infused with hope when facing the New England Patriots in the upcoming weekend.
Optimistic season ticket holder Neil Kohlman noted, "[Now they're] only two games out of that last wild card spot."
