NEW ORLEANS (AP) — What looked like such a promising season for the New Orleans Saints back in mid-September will instead go down as their worst since the franchise was displaced by Hurricane Katrina and went 3-13 in 2005.
The Saints (5-11) have lost three straight and four of five, and have been outscored 59-10 during their past two games.
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Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) is tackled by New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20) and safety Ugo Amadi (0) during the first half of an NFL football game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) throws a pass as he is pressured by Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) reacts with fans after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
That's a far cry from Weeks 1 and 2, when they posted a pair of stunning victories by a combined score of 91-29.
Now they have to get through one more week before this lost season mercifully ends.
“There are a lot of excuses that we could make,” veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan said, alluding to a rash of injuries to most of the Saints' prominent offensive skill players and to key offensive linemen.
“At the end of the day, we were not good enough this year,” Jordan continued. “That hurts as a player. That hurts as a fan of the game.”
While interim coach Darren Rizzi hasn't been pleased with costly mental and execution errors marring recent losses, he maintains that effort has not been an issue.
“I know that no one wants to hear that," Rizzi said Monday, adding that when he reviews game video, “I’m looking for guys that aren’t giving great effort; I can’t find them.
“We didn’t make enough plays. We didn’t execute. But it’s not an effort thing,” Rizzi said. “We can certainly blame the injuries and we can certainly blame the circumstances, but I’ve been preaching to these guys from the beginning about accountability.”
Rizzi, promoted after the firing of Dennis Allen with eight games left in the season, is now 3-4 during what he had hoped would be an audition for a more permanent appointment.
Sunday's 25-10 loss to a Raiders team that won just its fourth game this season — on the heels of a 34-0 drubbing at Green Bay a week earlier, won't help Rizzi's long-term prospects.
“I can’t concern myself with that right now,” Rizzi said. “I have to coach this last week, take a step back and then evaluate the whole thing. The powers to be will evaluate the whole thing, and we’ll go from there.”
For a second consecutive week, New Orleans' special teams units were the only ones to make it through the game without any glaring issues.
The coverage teams did not allow any big returns and kicker Blake Grupe converted his only field goal opportunity.
The run defense and the running game, as well as the offense's overall execution on third down.
The Saints' defensive front allowed the Raiders to run for 156 yards after Las Vegas entered the game ranked last in the NFL in rushing, averaging 77 yards per game.
Meanwhile, the Saints rushed for 81 yards and converted only one of 10 third downs.
Jordan had the only sack registered by New Orleans' defense against Las Vegas. The 14-year veteran has three sacks and five tackles for loss in his past three games.
“He is as professional as they come,” Rizzi said. “You wouldn’t know what our record is by his approach, attitude and leadership. I hope he keeps playing” beyond this season.
Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler dropped to 0-5 as a spot starter for the injured Derek Carr.
Of all the games Rattler has started this season, Sunday's contest against the Raiders looked like the most winnable. Las Vegas came in with just three wins this season, but Rattler struggled to consistently move the offense. He threw more interceptions (two) than touchdowns (one) and New Orleans did not score in the second half.
It remains to be seen if Carr (left, non-throwing hand) or top running back Alvin Kamara (groin) are able to return for the season finale, as Rizzi has said both players are trying to do.
Meanwhile, running back Kendre Miller's status for this week also is in question after he left Sunday's game with concussion symptoms in the second quarter. Linebacker Jaylan Ford fractured his right fibula while covering a punt in the fourth quarter. Defensive end Payton Turner came out of the game with an ankle injury.
18 — That's how many years have passed since the Saints most recently won fewer than seven games in a season.
The Saints close out their season at Tampa Bay on Sunday with an opportunity to complicate the Buccaneers' bid to win a fourth straight NFC South title.
“At this point, you’re just trying to ruin other people’s dreams," Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu said. “Obviously, Tampa is a divisional game. I am more than sure that we will be ready to roll.”
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Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) is tackled by New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20) and safety Ugo Amadi (0) during the first half of an NFL football game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) throws a pass as he is pressured by Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end K'Lavon Chaisson (44) sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) reacts with fans after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
An 18-year-old woman dreaming of becoming a nurse, a single mother, a father of two and a former Princeton football star were killed when the driver of a white pickup truck sped down Bourbon Street, packed with holiday revelers.
Officials have not yet released the names of the 14 people killed in the New Orleans New Year's Day truck attack, but their families and friends have started sharing their stories.
New Orleans Coroner Dr. Dwight McKenna said in a statement late Wednesday that the names of the dead will be released once autopsies are complete and they’ve talked with the next of kin. A spokesperson for the coroner said Thursday that there were no updates. About 30 people were injured.
Billy DiMaio, 25, was humble and gentled-hearted, so devoted to family that he had a tattoo featuring all of his cousins’ names, his parents told NOLA.com.
A New York City-based account executive for the media company Audacy, DiMaio was in New Orleans to celebrate New Year’s Eve and see friends who planned to go to the Sugar Bowl, Tracie and Bill DiMaio, of Holmdel, New Jersey, told the news site. His friends escaped injury.
“He was a good, humble kid,” Bill DiMaio said. “He loved life.”
Billy DiMaio grew up on Long Island, New York, before the family moved to New Jersey. He graduated in 2022 from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, where he was on the lacrosse team and earned a master’s degree.
“He was a pure, gentle-hearted soul," his mother said. “He will be truly missed.”
He had worked for Audacy since 2023.
“Beyond his professional achievements, Billy will be fondly remembered for his unwavering work ethic, positive attitude, and kindness," Audacy said in an emailed statement. “He was a true asset to the Audacy team, and his contributions and presence will be deeply missed.”
Archbishop Shaw High School, in Marrero, Louisiana, posted on Facebook that class of 2021 alum Hubert Gauthreaux, was among the victims.
Gauthreaux “was tragically killed in the senseless act of violence that occurred early this morning in the French Quarter. He was 21 years old,” the Catholic boys school posted Wednesday evening. “We are asking the entire Archbishop Shaw family to pray for the repose of Hubert’s soul, his family and friends during this difficult time, and all those affected by this tragedy.”
University of Alabama freshman Kareem Badawi was among those killed in the attack. A native of Louisiana and a graduate of the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, Badawi had started at the Alabama university this fall.
“It is with great sadness and grief, and with hearts satisfied with Allah’s decision and destiny, I announce the death of my son, Karim Bilal Badawi, who died early today in the morning as a result of a tragic accident in New Orleans,” his father, Belal Badawi, posted on Facebook. “We ask Allah Almighty to shower his mercy on him, and give us patience and strength.”
His father had posted in May celebrating his son’s high school graduation and plans to attend the University of Alabama.
The university issued a statement confirming Badawi’s death.
“I grieve alongside family and friends of Kareem in their heartbreaking loss,” University of Alabama President Stuart R. Bell said.
Christopher B. Roberts, president of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, said on the social platform X that 2023 graduate Drew Dauphin died in the attack.
“Words cannot convey the sorrow the Auburn Family feels for Drew’s family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time,” Roberts said. “Our thoughts are with the Dauphin family and the families of all the victims of this senseless tragedy.”
Dauphin was a supplier process engineer at the American Honda Motor Company in Birmingham, Alabama, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The parents of Matthew Tenedorio told NBC News that their son was one of the people killed in the attack.
“He was 25 years old. He was just starting life. He had the job of his dreams,” Cathy Tenedorio said. “It’s just very sad.”
A GoFundMe page created by a cousin says he was an audiovisual technician at the Superdome.
“He was a wonderful kid,” Louis Tenedorio added. “He loved people. He loved animals. He always had a smile. So many friends. He had so many friends.”
Cathy Tenedorio said she had spent New Year’s Eve with Matthew and another one of her sons.
“We had dinner and we did fireworks outside, and just laughing and hugging each other and telling each other we loved each other,” she said. She added that they had tried to dissuade him from going into the city.
“They don’t think about risk,” she said.
Zion Parsons, of Gulfport, Mississippi, had been celebrating New Year’s Eve at his first night on Bourbon Street when a vehicle appeared and plowed into his friend, 18-year-old Nikyra Dedeaux, who he said had dreamed of becoming a nurse.
“A truck hit the corner and comes barreling through throwing people like in a movie scene, throwing people into the air,” Parsons told The Associated Press. “It hit her and flung her like at least 30 feet and I was just lucky to be alive."
As the crowd scattered in the chaos he ran through a gruesome aftermath of bleeding and maimed victims, hearing gunshots and explosive sounds.
“Bodies, bodies all up and down the street, everybody screaming and hollering” Parsons said. “People crying on the floor, like brain matter all over the ground. It was just insane, like the closest thing to a war zone that I’ve ever seen.”
Dedeaux was a responsible daughter who helped take care of her siblings, Parsons said. Dedeaux had a job at a hospital and was set to start college and begin working towards her goal of becoming a registered nurse.
“She had her mindset — she didn’t have everything figured out but she had the plan laid down,” Parsons said.
A 37-year-old father of two from Baton Rouge, Reggie Hunter had just left work and headed to celebrate New Year’s with a cousin when the attack happened, his first cousin Shirell Jackson told Nola.com.
Hunter died and his cousin was injured, Jackson said.
A former high school and college football player from Louisiana was among those who died, according to an education official.
Tiger Bech, 27, died Wednesday morning at a New Orleans hospital, according to local media outlets citing Kim Broussard, the athletic director at St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette. Bech attended the high school, where he played wide receiver, quarterback, punt returner and defensive back, NOLA.com reported.
Bech played football at Princeton University before graduating in 2021. Most recently he was working as an investment trader at a New York brokerage firm.
Marty Cannon, STM principal and former coach of Bech, said he was charismatic, intelligent and an incredibly talented football player. He regularly returned home to visit his tight-knit family, close friends and people at the school. He was home over Christmas.
“We live in a relatively small community here where not a lot of people leave but many do," Cannon said. “I'm not surprised at all that Tiger could take off from south Louisiana and go off and get an amazing education at a place like Princeton and then lock himself into a community up there and just flourish. He’s that kind of guy.”
Princeton football coach Bob Surace said Wednesday that he had been texting with Bech’s father, sharing memories of the player, who was a school kick returner and receiver from 2017 to 2019. He earned All-Ivy League honors as a returner.
“He might be the first Tiger to ever play for us, and that nickname kind of described him as a competitor,” Surace told ESPN. The school’s mascot is the tiger. “He was somebody that somehow, like in the key moments, just excelled and was full of energy, full of life.”
Bech has been working at Seaport Global, where company spokesperson Lisa Lieberman could not confirm his death. She told the AP, “He was extremely well regarded by everybody who knew him.”
Bech’s younger brother, Jack, is a top wide receiver at Texas Christian University.
In a response to a KLFY-TV report posted on X about Tiger Bech’s death, a post from an account for a Jack Bech on the social media site said: “Love you always brother ! You inspired me everyday now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us.”
Nicole Perez was a single mother to a 4-year-old son working hard to make life better for her family when she was killed, according to her employer.
Perez, who was in her late 20s, was recently promoted to manager at Kimmy’s Deli in Metairie, Louisiana, and “was really excited about it,” deli owner Kimberly Usher said in a phone interview with the AP. Usher confirmed Perez’s death through her sister, who also works for her.
Usher said Perez would walk in the morning to the deli, which opened at breakfast time, and ask lots of questions about the business side of the operations. She also was permitted to bring her son, Melo, to work.
“She was a really good mom,” said Usher, who started a GoFundMe account to cover Perez’s burial costs and to help with expenses for her son that “he will need to transition into a new living situation,” the donation request says.
— Heaven Sensky-Kirsch said her father, Jeremi Sensky, endured 10 hours of surgery for injuries that included two broken legs. He was taken off a ventilator Thursday.
Jeremi Sensky was ejected from the wheelchair he was using and had bruises to his face and head, Sensky-Kirsch said in a phone interview from a hospital intensive care unit.
“He’s talking right now,” Sensky-Kirsch said late Thursday morning.
Sensky, 51, who works in the family’s tree service business, had driven from his home in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, to New Orleans to celebrate the holiday.
Before the attack, Sensky and the two friends had been having pizza, his daughter said. Sensky left them to return to his hotel on Canal Street because he felt cold, she said.
Sensky-Kirsch said others could see the attacker coming and were able to run out of the way, but her father “was stuck on the road.” His wheelchair can be seen in some images lodged against a crane.
When he didn’t return to the hotel, they went to look for him, she said.
“We thought he was dead,” Sensky-Kirsch said. “We can’t believe he’s alive.”
— Ryan Quigley, who was a teammate of Bech’s at Princeton, was with him when they were struck by the truck. Quigley was injured, according to family and friends.
“Ryan is doing okay. He is stable and resting in the company of his family and friends,” the Quigleys said in an update on a GoFundMe page set up by his friends. “Ryan loves you all. Please keep the Bech family, the other families, and all of those affected by this tragedy in your prayers. Thank you all.”
— University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead said on X that a student was critically injured in the attack and is receiving medical treatment. He did not name the student.
— The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X that two Israeli citizens were injured in the attack.
— University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce said Thursday that one of the university’s students was critically injured in New Orleans. Boyce did not identify the student.
The story has been updated to correct Tiger Bech’s age from 28 to 27, and to correct the spelling of Metairie, Louisiana, from Metarie.
Jack Brook in New Orleans, Gary Robertson in Raleigh, North Carolina, Emily Wagster Pettus in Jackson, Mississippi, Travis Loller in Nashville and Kimberly Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama contributed to this report. Bellisle reported from Seattle.
Trevant Hayes, 20, sits in the French Quarter after the death of his friend, Nikyra Dedeaux, 18, after a pickup truck crashed into pedestrians on Bourbon Street followed by a shooting in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Zion Parsons, 18, talks about the death of his friend, Nikyra Dedeaux, 18, and the scene after a pickup truck crashed into pedestrians on Bourbon Street followed by a shooting in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
