ATLANTA (AP) — New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough missed a pivotal opportunity to strengthen his bid for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year by throwing a late interception against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Shough took charge of the Saints, starting nine games after stepping in for Spencer Rattler during a Week 8 contest against Tampa Bay, finishing the season with a 5-4 record. His standout performance came in Week 17 against Tennessee, where he completed 22 of 27 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns, helping New Orleans extend their winning streak to four games.
“What Tyler has displayed—his development, growth, and ability to learn from each experience—is remarkable,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said. “He’s showcased numerous moments of strong football. We all aim to improve together as a team, and I am eager to see what he brings this offseason.”
Shough’s season statistics reflect his impressive performance; he completed 66.7% of his passes, threw 10 touchdowns, and had six interceptions. He averaged 250.7 passing yards per game, and added an average of 19 rushing yards.
Carolina’s wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is the leading contender for the Rookie of the Year award, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. He led all rookies with 70 catches for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns, achieving impressive feats for the Panthers.
A fifth consecutive victory could have elevated Shough’s case. He played well throughout most of the loss on Sunday, completing 23 of 35 passes for 259 yards, along with one touchdown and one interception. He also added 34 rushing yards and a score.
However, a significant mistake altered the outcome. Trailing 16-10 at the Falcons’ 20-yard line with 3:24 left, Shough was intercepted by Dee Alford. Alford returned the interception for 59 yards, setting up a field goal for Atlanta.
“It was a great play by Alford,” Shough noted. “The ball was already out when he made that last-second adjustment. It’s just part of the game. It’s disappointing, and I was just hoping for another chance to go out and score.”
Shough did manage to advance the Saints down the field and threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Ronnie Bell, but the Falcons recovered the ensuing onside kick.
The Saints faced challenges, missing their leading rusher Alvin Kamara and leading receiver Chris Olave, along with two starters on the offensive line. They also lost left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. early in the game to injury.
“It’s unbelievable how everyone stepped up,” Shough remarked. “Going against that defensive unit was tough; they’re a solid team. But our guys showed up and fought hard.”
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