The New Orleans Saints will attempt to get into the win column this Sunday against the same team they defeated a season ago, the New York Giants. Since their 14-11 win over the Giants in 2024, the Saints have not won a football game. Also, second-year QB Spencer Rattler is still searching for his first victory as an NFL starter. The former Oklahoma/South Carolina standout has not won a game since he debuted with the Saints in 2024. The team’s recent defeat to the Buffalo Bills in Week 4 gave Rattler his 10th-straight loss as an NFL starting quarterback.
Even if the Saints’ miscues on the field are not squarely on the shoulders of Rattler, the conversation about his 0-10 record as a starter is gaining steam at the national level. Some Saints analysts and reporters believe that if Sunday’s matchup with the Giants turns out to be another loss, the coaching staff could shift their attention towards naming 2025 second-round pick Tyler Shough, the team’s new starting QB. While Sunday’s game between the Giants and Saints may not grab national headlines, the matchup is filled with intriguing storylines. Here’s our Giants versus Saints Week 5 preview, scouting report, key matchups, and score prediction breakdown.
Giants Scouting Report
Record: 1-3
Head Coach: Brian Daboll
Quarterback: Jaxson Dart
The Giants’ season is going as envisioned when I wrote their 2025 preview piece in August. I did not see a potential win on their schedule until they play the Saints in Week 5. However, the Giants’ first season victory came in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. A few days leading up to the matchup with Los Angeles, the team announced the benching of Russell Wilson and the insertion of rookie QB Jaxson Dart as the team’s new starter. Dart’s debut as an NFL starter was impressive.
The former Ole Miss Rebel threw one touchdown pass and ran for another as they defeated the Chargers 21-18 at home. In last Sunday’s win, Dart completed 13 of 20 passes for 111 yards and rushed for 54 yards on 10 carries. While the Giants may have potentially found their long-term solution at QB while facing the Chargers, they lost a key member of their offensive production.
Wide receiver Malik Nabers suffered a torn ACL injury when he attempted to catch a deep pass down the right sideline against Los Angeles. Not having Nabors in the lineup is a huge loss for New York. Still, his absence allows Dart to show that he can elevate the surrounding personnel even if the team’s best players are unavailable. Here’s why some analysts and reporters point towards the Giants matchup as a potential turning point during the Saints’ 2025 campaign.
The Giants’ defense is near the bottom of the NFL in categories such as total yards allowed, points, passing, and red zone conversion. While the unit may have big names on paper, the production has not been reflected on the football field. However, that can change this Sunday against a Saints offensive line with tendencies of sometimes showing regression.
Key Matchups to Watch
Jaxson Dart vs. the Saints Pass Rush
Throughout recent history, the Saints’ defense has occasionally struggled with defending rookie quarterbacks. Will that be the case this Sunday against Dart? The optics are there for another dominant performance by a rookie quarterback. New Orleans has not performed well in Brandon Staley’s first season as defensive coordinator. Also, Dart presents an element of his game that can hurt the Saints on the ground with his rushing ability.
The Giants’ Wide Receivers vs. the Saints’ Secondary
With Nabers’ sideline for Sunday’s matchup, the Giants will count on wideouts Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, and Wan’Dale Robinson to make things happen in the passing game. They will face a Saints secondary trying to find its next dominant corner. Rookie Quincy Riley will start at corner after the team announced that veteran Issach Yialdolm will be out this Sunday with an injury. A name to watch out for on the New Orleans secondary is rookie safety Jonas Sanker. Since his insertion into the starting lineup, Sanker has made significant strides as a contributor. In Week 4, against the Buffalo Bills, Sanker accounted for five total tackles, three pass deflections, and one interception.
Spencer Rattler vs. the Giants Defense
Will Spencer Rattler finally let it loose, or will the Giants’ defense have their breakout performance of the season? As previously stated, Rattler is not the sole cause of the Saints’ 0-4 record, but he’s not doing enough on the field to keep Shough on the sidelines watching. Sunday’s matchup has to be a game where Saints fans can finally get what the true Rattler experience is like under the guidance of Coach Moore.
Score Prediction
The Giants’ defense has been bad this season, but I don’t expect Spencer Rattler to throw for 400 yards and toss five touchdowns like he did in college against Tennessee. I do expect his first victory as a starting NFL quarterback. New Orleans wins by three.
Score: Giants 21, Saints 24
