The New Orleans Saints secured a 24-17 upset victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, with quarterback Tyler Shough delivering a career-best performance that included a go-ahead touchdown and a pivotal defensive stand in the final minutes.
Shough completed 27 of 34 passes for 252 yards, threw for one touchdown, and added 23 rushing yards and a rushing score, while leading the Saints to their first win of the season. The Ravens entered the game as 8.5-point favorites after opening with a 41-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts, while New Orleans fell to 0-1 following a narrow overtime loss to the Detroit Lions.
Controversial Touchdown Ruling
The Saints' go-ahead score came on a 1-yard run by Shough in the third quarter, though replays appeared to show the ball dislodged as he was brought down. Officials reviewed the play under instant replay and upheld the touchdown, with NFL vice president of instant replay Mark Butterworth stating that the league could not prove "clear and obvious" evidence the ball had not crossed the goal line.
"We exhausted all available angles and could not prove clear and obvious that he did not break the plane of the goal line," Butterworth told reporters after the game.
Saints head coach Kellen Moore acknowledged the difficulty of the call, noting that goal-line plays often present challenges for officials. "It's a hard play on the goal line because ... sometimes they lose sight of the football. I think it's a challenging play for everyone," Moore said. "Fortunate for us to get that. Obviously we're going to go for it in that situation."
Shough's Breakout Performance
Through two games, Shough leads the NFL with 662 passing yards, four touchdowns, and a 68.9% completion rate, while adding two interceptions. His performance against Baltimore followed a strong second-half showing in Detroit, where he improved after a shaky start to the season.
Wide receiver Chris Olave, who has 268 receiving yards through two games, praised Shough's development. "People try to compare people all the time, but I feel like Tyler [Shough] is one of one," Olave said. "He's making a name for himself in this league, and by the end of the year, I feel like he's going to be one of the top quarterbacks."
The Saints' defense also made key stops late in the game, with Baltimore's Lamar Jackson unable to lead a game-tying drive in the final minutes. The win marks a significant shift in momentum for New Orleans, which had been outscored 41-23 in its season opener.
League-Wide Implications
Shough's emergence comes as a surprise to some, given that he was drafted behind Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart in the 2024 NFL Draft. His strong start has drawn comparisons to elite quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Lamar Jackson, though his sample size remains small.
The Saints' victory also highlights the competitiveness of the NFC South, where New Orleans now sits tied with the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers in the early standings. The team's offensive firepower, led by Olave and Shough, has drawn early praise for its entertainment value.
With the win, New Orleans moves to 1-1, while Baltimore falls to 1-1 after a competitive loss. The Ravens' defense, which had allowed just 23 points in their opener, struggled to contain Shough and the Saints' balanced attack.