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Spencer Rattler started his first game under center for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, and it didn’t get off to the best of starts. The offense fumbled after his second NFL completion, which was swiftly returned for a touchdown by the Tampa Bay Bucs.
The play put the Saints in a quick 14-0 hole midway through the first quarter of action.
Rattler was named the starting signal caller earlier this week as Derek Carr is sidelined with an oblique injury. He had the full confidence of head coach Dennis Allen, who announced the move on Wednesday.
“I think you’ve got to let the guy go in there and play,” Allen said. “He’s gonna start, he’s gonna lead the team, and we’ll go from there.”
Rattler’s leash wasn’t expected to be short, even if he struggled a bit in that debut. Unfortunately, it was a teammate who let him down in the team’s opening drive.
Chris Olave reeled in a first quarter pass from Spencer Rattler before turning to move up the field for a first down. A Tampa Bay defender, however, knocked the ball loose before he could reach the chains.
The Bucs scooped up the fumble and ran it back for a score to get the Spencer Rattler era off to a disappointing start.
Spencer Rattler with a completion to Chris Olave, who fumbles. Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield scoops it up and takes it for six!
Wow. pic.twitter.com/2tTI4yYD7R
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) October 13, 2024
Spencer Rattler anticipated Chris Olave would be his top target.
After being named the starter earlier this week, the QB had the following to say about his pass catching teammate:
“That dude’s different,” Rattler said of Olave. “I make it a key point when he’s in to get him the ball. It’s that simple.”
Saints QB Spencer Rattler on WR Chris Olave:
“I make it a key point that when he’s in, get him the ball.”pic.twitter.com/vcIsjGyPh1
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) October 10, 2024
Spencer Rattler stuck to that plan on Sunday, but it backfired!
The scoop and score put the Saints behind 14-0 in the first quarter. Not the most ideal of scenarios for an NFL debut.
Making matters worse, Olave suffered a concussion on the play, forcing him to the sidelines for the remainder of the game.
It will be interesting to see how Rattler handles the adversity.