Week 6 report card: Did Kellen Moore, Spencer Rattler make the grade?

The New Orleans Saints fell to the New England Patriots on Sunday, in what was a game defined by stellar quarterback play. Drake Maye and his offense felt unstoppable at certain points, carving up the Saints defense with explosive plays and critical conversions on third and fourth down. It was a long afternoon for a defense that had little in the way of answers.

On the other side, Spencer Rattler quietly turned in what might’ve been his best outing as a Saint -- even without a touchdown pass to show for it. Once again, he was decisive with the football, showing tremendous pocket presence and finding lanes to run when he needed. His willingness to check the ball down to his backs and connect on another explosive play was encouraging. The biggest difference between the two young quarterbacks came down to finishing drives: New Orleans reached the end zone just once on nine possessions, continuing a frustrating trend that has haunted this team all season.

Still, there were some positives to build on -- and several areas that need urgent attention. Let’s break down the Saints’ Week 6 performance using our grading scale to assess key position groups and individual standouts:

HC Kellen Moore

Kellen Moore called an excellent game for the Saints offense overall. He leaned heavily on pre-snap motion to create optimal spacing for Spencer Rattler and his receivers, helping generate cleaner looks and easier reads. Moore also made a concerted effort to feature Alvin Kamara in the passing game, frequently splitting him out wide -- a role that has showcased Kamara’s versatility throughout his career. In the red zone, the Saints’ issues stemmed more from execution than design, with a few costly incompletions and penalties halting drives. Still, it was another well-crafted game plan from Moore, who continues to tailor his system around his players’ strengths.

Grade: B+

DC Brandon Staley

Brandon Staley remains one of the toughest evaluations on this Saints staff through six weeks. His defense ranks dead last in first-half points allowed (20.2 per game), yet sits third-best in the league in second-half points allowed (6.5 per game). The Seattle game certainly skewed some of those numbers, but the contrast between how this unit starts and how it finishes has been stark. Staley’s inability to get his defense going early has consistently put the team in difficult positions, allowing far too many scoring opportunities before halftime.

To his credit, Staley continues to make effective halftime adjustments -- a big reason the Saints have been able to stay competitive late in games. That was once again the case this week. The defense struggled to contain a red-hot Drake Maye early, as New England marched up and down the field with explosive plays and efficient third-down execution. While the group settled in during the second half, they ultimately couldn’t get off the field when it mattered most. The combination of inexperience on the back end and a lack of consistent pass rush remains the biggest concern moving forward.

Grade: C-

CB Kool-Aid McKinstry

Kool-Aid McKinstry has been the most disappointing player on this team to this point. A player who was highly touted and considered one of the most polished collegiate prospects at his position has almost single-handedly cost his defense multiple points and crucial conversions. McKinstry is often a tad slow off the line, causing him to fall behind by a good margin when trailing receivers. He’s also played very poorly when the ball is in the air, either getting out-physical'd or failing to defend through the catch. McKinstry has been viewed as a building block for this team as a young player, but he’ll need to play much better if this defense plans on having success anytime soon.

Grade: F

WR Chris Olave

Chris Olave had one of the more frustrating performances of the day despite finishing with six catches for 98 yards. His failure to make critical plays in critical moments has become increasingly concerning. He’s still running crisp routes and creating separation consistently, but his inability to come down with the big-time catches expected of a true WR1 continues to hold him back. For a player soon seeking a new contract, Olave hasn’t given the team much reason to make a long-term investment just yet.

Grade: B

QB Spencer Rattler

Spencer Rattler played his best game as a Saint despite not throwing a single touchdown. He continued to get the ball out quickly and showed tremendous pocket presence all afternoon. Everything Rattler put on tape looked well-timed and efficient -- extending plays at the right moments with his legs and finding holes within New England’s zone defense. He also delivered several critical throws that could have led to points in the red zone if not for penalties and drops. Drake Maye may have been the better quarterback statistically, but Rattler made it clear that he can go throw for throw with the former first-rounder.

Grade: B+

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Week 6 report card: Did Kellen Moore, Spencer Rattler make the grade?