TURNAROUND: New Orleans Saints Answer Penalty Questions, Run Game Comes Alive

The New Orleans Saints answered major preseason questions with a 27-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys. After 22 penalties through two games, New Orleans committed only four, avoided turnovers, improved kick and punt coverage, and finally played disciplined football. The run game also surged past five yards per carry, giving Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson cleaner pockets while showcasing the offensive line and Kellen Moore’s system.   Daniel Carlson strengthened his case to open the 2026 season as the Saints’ kicker after converting from 38 and 53 yards, while Charlie Smyth remains a developmental option. The backup quarterback battle stays tight: Rattler managed the game and added a rushing touchdown, while Wilson pushed the ball downfield. Audric Estime, Kendre Miller, Zamir White and C.J. Donaldson also raised the stakes before roster cuts, with injuries to Michael Heldman and Jaylan Ford worth monitoring.   00:20 Saints Answer Key Questions 08:04 Run Game Comes Alive 14:50 K And QB Battle Updates   Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images   BECOME A LOCKED ON SAINTS ALL-ACCESS MEMBER: https://lockedonsaints.supercast.com/   Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-saints/   Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More 🎧https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-nfl/   LouisianaSports.Net's Ross Jackson hosts the Locked On Saints Podcast keeping the Who Dat Nation up-to-date with everything you need to know about your beloved New Orleans Saints.   And follow Ross on Twitter, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the New Orleans Saints and talking with fans. On Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RossJacksonNOLA   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Gusto Try Gusto today at gusto.com/LOCKEDONNFL, and get three months free when you run your first payroll.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   KALSHI For a limited time,Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get $10 when you trade $10.   Square Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/lockedonnfl! #squarepod   Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.   Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.       FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) BECOME A LOCKED ON SAINTS ALL-ACCESS MEMBER: https://lockedonsaints.supercast.com/ Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…🎧https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-saints/ Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More🎧https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-nfl/ LouisianaSports.Net's Ross Jackson hosts the Locked On Saints Podcast keeping the Who Dat Nation up-to-date with everything you need to know about your beloved New Orleans Saints. And follow Ross on Twitter, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the New Orleans Saints and talking with fans.On Twitter: https://twitter.com/RossJacksonNOLA Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.