There are losses, and then there are contextual losses. Monday night in Week 1 firmly falls into the latter category for New Orleans.
The Saints opened the 2027 season against a Washington Commanders team that looks every bit like a Super Bowl contender—and the final score, 37–13, reflected the gap in execution more than effort.
Washington Shows Why They’re in the Title Conversation
From the opening drive, Washington dictated the terms of the game through the air. Jayden Daniels delivered a near-flawless performance, completing 18 of 21 passes for 369 yards and two touchdowns, carving up coverage with precision and tempo. The Commanders finished with 358 passing yards, converted half of their third downs, and capitalized consistently in the red zone.
Simply put, this was a quarterback operating at peak efficiency against a defense still settling into its early-season identity.
Washington did not rely on explosive rushing numbers or defensive chaos. Instead, they won with discipline, spacing, and timing—hallmarks of teams built for January football.
Saints’ Ground Game Shows Promise
While the passing numbers will dominate the postgame discussion, there were meaningful positives for New Orleans—particularly on the ground.
The Saints rushed for 261 yards, nearly tripling Washington’s total. D. Reid led the way with 132 yards and a touchdown, while Laviska Shenault Jr. added 107 yards on designed runs and perimeter touches. This was not garbage-time production; New Orleans consistently moved bodies at the line of scrimmage and controlled tempo when committed to the run.
That matters.
In a league increasingly defined by aerial fireworks, the Saints demonstrated they can still physically impose themselves—a trait that tends to pay dividends as the season wears on.
Passing Struggles Tell the Story
Where the game slipped away was through the air. The Saints managed just 81 passing yards, went 0-for-8 on third down, and committed two costly interceptions. Sustaining drives proved impossible, and field position tilted steadily in Washington’s favor.
This was not a lack of effort or creativity—it was execution. Timing was off, windows closed quickly, and Washington’s defensive backs capitalized on mistakes.
Early-season rust is real, particularly against elite competition.
Defense Fought, But Was Put in Tough Spots
Despite the final score, the Saints’ defense was often placed in unfavorable situations. Turnover disparity and stalled drives meant shorter fields and extended snaps. Still, there were bright spots:
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Joey Porter Jr. showed immediate physicality and presence.
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Justin Reid and Jaden Sanker were active and disruptive.
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The front generated pressure when given time to work.
This unit bent more than it broke early, but Washington’s consistency eventually wore them down.
The Bigger Picture
Week 1 losses can feel heavy, especially under the lights. But context matters.
This was:
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A road game
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On Monday Night Football
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Against a legitimate championship contender
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With a Saints team integrating new pieces and testing identity
The Saints did not look overmatched physically. They did not quit. They did not get embarrassed.
They ran the ball effectively, showed defensive flashes, and now have 16 games to adjust, refine, and respond.
The season is not defined by Week 1—but lessons from Week 1 often define how teams grow.
New Orleans took theirs the hard way.
