Spencer Rattler PROVES HE’s the Real QB1 After Saints’ Gritty 20-13 Opener

It took one game to prove the Saints picked the right starting quarterback

Football has finally returned! It had been 245 days since the New Orleans Saints put on the pads for a regular season contest. The squad opened up the season at home versus the Arizona Cardinals., as they fell short 20-13. Don't point the finger at Spencer Rattler, though.

Many fans were eager to watch Rattler under center as the team’s starting quarterback, to open up the season. Although the team fell short, he showed up in critical moments and was close to leading a game-tying drive in the closing seconds.

During the offseason, the Saints coaching staff was looking for a quarterback who was consistent, sound in decision making, and careful with the football. Rattler would ultimately win the starting role, by demonstrating these characteristics.

Solid home opener for Saints starting quarterback

Rattler had a solid opening debut he continued to demonstrate why he won the job. He made quick decisions, took care of the ball, and stayed poised under pressure. He finished the day 27-46 and 243 total yards, and was sacked only once.

He showed a strong chemistry with Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson, as he consistently relied on them as his main targets. The two pass catchers accounted for 60% of his passing yards, combining for 15 catches and 130 yards.

The offense managed to move the ball downfield on several possessions. However, they struggled to finish drives with scores, which amounted to points being left off of the board. The Saints only scored 13 points in 7 total series. Penalties and offensive line issues were a major cause for the offense’s inability to put points on the board.

Growing pains are to come but Saints made right decision at quarterback

The Saints had an opportunity to tie the game on their final possession, but fell short by turning the ball over on downs, with 4 straight incompletions. They didn’t get the end result that they were looking for, but it is very early in the season, as growing pains were expected with a new starting quarterback and coaching staff.

After a solid season opener for the young quarterback, signs are indicating that the Saints might have made the correct decision. Rattler will continue to improve as he becomes more comfortable in Kellen Moore’s new offensive system.

Bruins' Jeremy Swayman faces make-or-break season: Will he rebound or crumble under pressure?

The Boston Bruins' 2025-2026 season may hinge on the performance of one player: Jeremy Swayman. After an abysmal year in 2024-2025, which saw the 26-year-old goaltender posting career-worst numbers, Swayman finds himself in a do-or-die situation. If he doesn’t rebound, the Bruins could be staring at another season in the basement of the Atlantic Division.

The struggles were undeniable last season. From missing training camp due to a financial stalemate to failing to find any consistency in net, Swayman finished with a dismal 3.11 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage in a career-high 58 games. While injuries to key defensemen like Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm certainly didn’t help, the spotlight shone brightest on Swayman’s inability to deliver when it mattered most. Add to that the criticism surrounding his $8.25 million contract, and the pressure is now at an all-time high.

For Swayman, this season is not just about proving himself to the Bruins organization. It's about proving his worth to Team USA, with a coveted spot on the U.S. Olympic team for the 2026 Winter Games on the line. With elite goaltenders like Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger competing for the same spot, Swayman can't afford to falter early. Any struggles could push him out of the Olympic conversation entirely.

“That's always the hardest problem with being a goalie,” Hellebuyck explained at the U.S. Olympic orientation camp. “There are multiple guys but only one net.”

Indeed, Swayman knows that if he doesn't perform, others will take his spot. But the pressure doesn't end there. Without no-trade protection on his contract until next season, Bruins GM Don Sweeney may be forced to make a decision on Swayman’s future sooner than expected.

“We have an endless belief mindset,” Swayman said, trying to stay focused on the present. “We can’t predict what’s going to happen, but the thing is that we can control what we can control, right here, right now.”

However, with backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo hardly posing a challenge to Swayman’s role, it’s clear that the onus is squarely on the young goaltender. A slow start could easily sink the Bruins’ playoff aspirations and seal Swayman’s fate.

"This season is make or break for me. I've had my fair share of struggles, but I’m not backing down. The pressure is on, and I’m ready to prove that I belong at the top. It's time to take control of my career and show the world that I’m not just the goalie of the past—I’m the future of this team," Swayman declared, putting his focus on bouncing back and earning the trust of both his team and his fans.

With a season packed with both personal and team-related stakes, this is undeniably a boom-or-bust year for the young goalie. Will Swayman rise to the challenge, or will this be the season he gets lost in the shuffle?

One thing’s for sure: Swayman’s performance will be under the microscope all year long, and his every move will be scrutinized. The future of the Bruins—and his career—could very well be determined by how he handles the immense pressure.