Saints sit at 2-5 and wonder how they got here

The New Orleans Saints entered the season with high hopes for a contender in the NFC South. That expectation has quickly turned into a reality check as the team heads into its Week 8 bye.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan, a veteran who entered the league in 2011, expressed confusion about the team's current standing. He noted the talent available on the roster, specifically pointing to the potential of the offensive unit.

"I’m like, 'How did we get here? We have such a high-potent offense. You talk about (receiver) Chris Olave, (receiver) Devaughn Vele, you know, not even inserting (rookie receiver) Jordyn Tyson, who’s coming back soon. You talk about Tyler Shough, how he’s grown," Jordan said.

Quarterback Tyler Shough has completed 67% of his passes for 1,721 yards and 13 touchdowns. Despite these numbers, the Saints have ranked 23rd in points per game and 28th in rushing yards. The team has been outscored 44-6 in the first quarters of its games this season.

Injuries have compounded the offensive struggles. Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp. Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is dealing with a high ankle sprain, and running back Travis Etienne is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

The team has shown resilience in several losses. They erased a three-touchdown deficit in Detroit but lost in overtime. In Las Vegas, they held a 27-16 lead late in the third quarter before falling 35-27 due to four turnovers. A similar pattern occurred in a 45-24 loss to Atlanta and a 16-10 loss to Pittsburgh in France.

Coach Kellen Moore acknowledged the need for improvement in scoring. "Obviously, I’m going to spend a lot of time focused on how we can find a way to score points," Moore said. Shough agreed that the passing game is dynamic but requires a stronger running threat to open up space.

Rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson has not yet made his debut due to a right hamstring injury. He remains a key part of the long-term plan but is not expected back for several more weeks. The Saints have missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons.

Under the current 14-team playoff format, only four teams with a 2-5 record in the last six seasons have made the postseason. The Saints face the Cleveland Browns at home on November 8 to begin the push for a turnaround.