Last week was all about Spencer Rattler preparing for his first NFL start.
This abbreviated week has been about taking the knowledge acquired in that 51-27 loss to Tampa Bay, and improving against Denver (3-3), the New Orleans Saints' opponent Thursday night in the Caesars Superdome.
The Saints (2-4) are looking to end a four-game losing streak, the last of which was the eyesore against the Buccaneers.
Rattler completed 22 of 40 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions. The rookie also ran seven times for 27 yards.
"I would say, just chilling a little bit in the pocket," Rattler said. "Don't try to extend too much when not needed. Listen to your feet and maintaining elite focus every single rep throughout the game, no matter the score. Take completions and move the chains.
"I think getting a game under your belt helps a lot with live reps, live bullets. It's been a long time since I've gotten live reps, getting hit and stuff like that, a full game. It was great to be out there. Obviously, you don't take that for granted."
New Orleans totaled 303 yards and was 2 of 4 in the red zone against the Buccaneers on a day when it needed touchdowns to keep pace. The offense produced two touchdowns and 20 points (receiver Rashid Shaheed's 54-yard punt return accounted for the other touchdown) and settled for a couple of short field goals (42 and 29 yards) when the offense stagnated at the 24- and 11-yard lines.
The task won't get easier against Denver.
First, the Saints still are minus two opening-day starters on the offensive line (center Erik McCoy, right guard Cesar Ruiz), and possibly a third (left guard Lucas Patrick didn't practice Monday but was limited Tuesday).
Next, receiver Chris Olave left the Tampa Bay game with a concussion on New Orleans' third offensive play and didn't practice Monday or Tuesday, and the team leader in receiving, Shaheed – who has touchdown receptions of 43, 59 and 70 yards in addition to the punt return – didn't practice Monday and Tuesday with a knee injury.
That'll mean increased game reps and reliance on fifth-round pick Bub Means, who caught his first NFL touchdown against Tampa Bay, undrafted rookie Mason Tipton and seven-year veteran Cedric Wilson Jr., among others.
"We ran a lot of offense in this last game," Rattler said. "I don't think (offensive coordinator) Klint (Kubiak) is holding back at all. That wasn't our plan going into it.
"Each of us has to prepare at a high level in this system, so we can handle everything as a group. I think we've got a lot of young guys playing this game (against Denver), so not a lot of time this week to put a ton of stuff in but we got a lot of good stuff in."
Denver's defense ranks fourth in points allowed (16 per game), fifth in passing yards allowed (170.2) and fourth in total yards allowed (284.3).
"They've got talented players all over," Rattler said. "Really good front, they're going to show us a lot of coverages and blitzes on third down specifically. We have to have a good plan, I think we have a good plan, and we have to be dialed in to the little details. It all comes down to the little details."
Rattler mostly handled the details well in his debut.
"I just thought he got out of the huddle, he got the play called, got us to the line of scrimmage, carried out what we asked him to do from practice to the game," Kubiak said. "He didn't change throughout the game. He continued exactly as it was in practice, so I was excited to see that.
"I think that's what a good player does, whether it's a quarterback or tackle. If they have the same demeanor and they don't surprise you in the game and just do what they do, I think that's a real good quality to have."
Even the abbreviated week didn't throw Rattler, who will make his second start in five days.
"I don't mind it," he said. "I was telling the guys, I think it's kind of nice how you can just knock out two days of practice, get everything in and go play. We had a great day today on base down and third down combined. A lot of ball plays we ran through today."
PRACTICE REPORT: In addition to Olave, Shaheed and Ruiz, linebacker Pete Werner (hamstring) and quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) did not practice. Limited participants, including Patrick, were Taysom Hill (rib), Payton Turner (knee), Alvin Kamara (hand), Nathan Shepherd (groin), J.T. Gray (calf), Alontae Taylor (shoulder) and Wilson (ankle).
