If you’ve watched the New Orleans Saints lately, you know the feeling. It’s that weird mix of "we might actually be good" and "why is the punter on the field again?" Usually, it happens right around the start of the second half. Kinda frustrating, honestly.
Looking at the Saints score per quarter isn’t just about tallying up points; it’s about figuring out why this team tends to look like world-beaters for fifteen minutes and then completely forgets how to move the chains for the next thirty. The 2025 season was a perfect example of this Jekyll and Hyde act. Under first-year coach Kellen Moore, the Saints finished 6-11, and while the record isn't pretty, the quarter-by-quarter breakdown reveals a team that was often just one big play away from flipping the script.
The First Quarter: Scripted Success or Slow Starts?
The Saints' first-quarter performance in 2025 was a bit of a rollercoaster. Typically, NFL teams have their first 15–20 plays "scripted." This is where the offensive coordinator—in this case, Doug Nussmeier—tries to find the weaknesses in the defense.
During the early stretch of the season, like that Week 1 loss to Arizona (13-20), the Saints' offense looked stagnant from the jump. However, once Spencer Rattler took over the reins from Tyler Shough, the rhythm changed. In the Week 5 win against the Giants, the Saints actually looked like they knew what they were doing in the opening frame.
The reality? The Saints averaged about 18 points per game across the season, which ranked 28th in the league. When you're only putting up 18 points, you can't afford to get shut out in the first quarter. Too often, they did.
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Second Quarter: The Alvin Kamara Show
Historically, the second quarter has been where the Saints find their footing. It’s the "Kamara Zone." In 2025, Alvin Kamara continued to be the heartbeat of the team, even as he climbed the all-time NFL record books.
Take the season opener. Kamara punched in a touchdown in the second quarter, which was actually the 1,000th touchdown scored by the Saints in the Superdome. It’s those kinds of moments that usually gave the Saints a lead going into halftime. Spencer Rattler also had his best moments here. In that Giants game, he threw for 187 yards in the first half alone—a career high.
But there’s a catch. While the offense found some life, the defense often started to bend. By the time the two-minute warning hit, the Saints score per quarter often showed a defense that was gassed because the offense couldn't stay on the field.
The Third Quarter "Wall"
If you want to know where the Saints' 2025 season went off the rails, look at the third quarter. It was basically a dead zone. Honestly, it was hard to watch at times.
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After halftime adjustments, you expect a team to come out swinging. Instead, the Saints often looked like they were stuck in New Orleans humidity. They struggled with:
- Penalties: The team was plagued by double-digit penalty games, often occurring right after the half.
- Red Zone Inefficiency: Getting to the 20-yard line and settling for Blake Grupe field goals became a frustrating trend.
- Third Down Conversions: With a season average of 39.5% on third downs, many of those misses happened in the third quarter, leading to quick punts.
This "third-quarter wall" is what turned competitive games into losses. When you’re playing teams like the Bills (Week 4) or the 49ers (Week 2), you can't have three straight three-and-outs to start the second half.
Fourth Quarter: Garbage Time or Grit?
The fourth quarter is where the stats get a little messy. When the Saints score per quarter rises in the final fifteen minutes, it’s not always because of a heroic comeback. Often, it’s "garbage time"—scoring points when the game is already out of reach.
However, credit where it's due: the defense usually stepped up late. Players like Cameron Jordan (who tied Drew Brees for most games played in franchise history) and Chase Young kept the pressure on. Jordan finished the season with 10.5 sacks, showing that the "old guard" still had some gas left in the tank.
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The Saints' defense actually finished 9th in total yards allowed, which is wild considering they went 6-11. They kept the score close in the fourth quarter of the Week 14 win against Tampa Bay (24-20) and the Week 15 win over Carolina (20-17). In those games, the score per quarter finally looked balanced.
2025 Season Statistical Snapshot
| Metric | Saints Stat | League Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Points For Per Game | 18.0 | 28th |
| Points Against Per Game | 22.5 | 16th |
| Total Offensive Yards | 5,331 | 23rd |
| Total Defensive Yards Allowed | 5,096 | 9th |
| Turnover Ratio | -4 | 27th |
Why the Disconnect Matters
The discrepancy between the Saints' defensive ranking (9th) and their record (6-11) is almost entirely due to the offense's inability to score consistently across all four quarters. When the defense is holding opponents to roughly 22 points a game, but the offense is only putting up 18, you’re losing a lot of close ones.
The rookie class provided a massive silver lining, though. ESPN actually ranked the Saints' 2025 rookie class as the best in the NFL. Between Tyler Shough's early flashes and Spencer Rattler's mid-season growth, the foundation is there. Plus, Chris Olave managed to haul in 1,163 yards despite the revolving door at quarterback.
Moving the Needle in 2026
If the Saints want to fix their scoring issues, they have to stop playing "catch-up" football. It's about consistency. Here are the actionable things the coaching staff is likely looking at right now:
- Eliminate the Penalties: You can't be a bottom-tier scoring team and also lead the league in drive-killing flags.
- Establish the Run Early: Alvin Kamara is still elite, but the Saints need the "Saints score per quarter" to reflect a dominant ground game in the first half to set up the play-action for Rattler.
- Third Quarter Scripting: Kellen Moore needs to treat the first drive of the second half with the same detail as the first drive of the game.
The talent is there, especially with the young guys. If they can just figure out how to play four full quarters instead of two-and-a-half, that 6-11 record could easily flip to 10-7 next year.
Next Steps for Fans:
Keep a close eye on the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency. The Saints have a desperate need to bolster the offensive line to give Spencer Rattler more than two seconds to find Olave. Also, check out the local beat reporters like Underhill or Triplett for updates on how the cafeteria renovations (which players complained about in the NFLPA report) might actually be helping team morale heading into the spring.