Saints' Spencer Rattler falls to 0-9 as a starting QB — and this time it's a rout

SEATTLE (AP) — Spencer Rattler has started nine games as an NFL quarterback. He has zero wins to show for it.

After opening the season with a couple of close losses that at least left some reason for optimism, Rattler and the New Orleans Saints had few positive takeaways after a demoralizing 44-13 loss at Seattle on Sunday.

“It’s not fun,” Rattler said. “But like the vets say, you can’t ride the roller coaster of emotions. We have to have a neutral thought. It’s a long season. You see what’s happening. We’ve just got to be better.”

Rattler completed 28 of 39 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown while also throwing an interception against the Seahawks, but he put up most of those numbers after the Saints fell way behind.

“I thought Spencer played fine,” New Orleans coach Kellen Moore said. “I thought he gave us some opportunities, he did some good things. We just got in too many obvious pass situations, we weren’t able to get the explosive plays, and I’ve got to find a way to help him be in better positions.”

With the game well out of hand, rookie Tyler Shough relieved Rattler for the final series, throwing two incomplete passes. Moore said he just wanted to give Shough a couple of snaps.

Asked if he was thinking about personnel changes at any position, Moore indicated he was focused on finding ways to help the current lineup improve.

“Our job is to get better right now and put ourselves in a really good position to be successful,” Moore said. “We’re not there yet. We’re 0-for-3 so far, it doesn’t feel good for anyone. But we’ve got opportunities ahead of (ourselves), and we’ve got a group of guys that need to look forward.”

The Saints won’t want to look back at this game, especially the opening minutes.

On the first series, the Saints turned the ball over on downs. On fourth-and-2 at the Seahawks 45-yard line, Rattler was flushed out of the pocket and overthrew Alvin Kamara on a deep ball. Seattle took over and quickly drove for a touchdown.

On the second series, New Orleans again faced a fourth down. With 1 yard to go on their 38, the Saints set up for a tush push but were flagged for a false start. Seattle's Tory Horton returned the ensuing punt 95 yards for a touchdown.

The Saints had two false starts and a holding penalty while going three-and-out on their third possession. The Seahawks blocked the punt to set up another quick TD, and New Orleans was down 21-0 barely 10 minutes in.

“It’s tough. You blink and the score’s like that, it’s tough to dig out of that hole,” Rattler said. “Self-inflicted wounds on all sides of the ball early on.”

The Saints are staring at 0-4. They play at unbeaten Buffalo next Sunday.

“We know we have to get better, and we have to do it with urgency,” Rattler said. “It’s a long year. We have to get better now, because it’s not going to get any easier."

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore calls out from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore walks on the sideline in the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

New Orleans Saints tight end Jack Stoll (88) celebrates his touchdown reception with quarterback Spencer Rattler in the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (2) greets Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (2) drops back to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong officials on Wednesday proposed expanding oversight of building maintenance projects and stronger fire safety steps after a blaze in November killed at least 161 people and displaced thousands.

The blaze that spread across seven towers in an apartment complex raised questions about corruption, negligence and government oversight in the city's building maintenance projects, piling pressure on Hong Kong leader John Lee’s administration and Beijing’s “patriots-only” governance system for the city.

In the newly elected legislature's first meeting, Lee said the fire exposed the need for reform and pledged that the investigation by law enforcement agencies and a judge-led independent committee would be thorough.

“We will fairly pursue accountability and take disciplinary action based on facts against anyone who should bear responsibility, regardless of whether they are from within or outside the government, or whether they are junior or senior staff,” Lee said.

To combat bid-rigging, Lee's administration proposed that the Urban Renewal Authority play a greater role in helping homeowners choose contractors for building maintenance projects.

Officials planned to set up a preselected list of consultants and contractors based on official background checks and past reviews from homeowners. The authority would facilitate homeowners in tendering and bid evaluation more.

The government also suggested requiring big renovation projects to hire a third-party professional to supervise the work, necessitating fire department's approval before shutting down major fire safety installations, and banning smoking on any construction site.

Proposals for law changes linked to the smoking ban were expected to be submitted for the legislature's review within the next few weeks, while officials were still discussing some of the other suggestions with the Urban Renewal Authority.

Authorities have pointed to substandard netting and foam boards installed during renovations at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex as factors that contributed to the fire in November. They also said some fire alarms did not work in tests.

Political analysts and observers worried the tragedy could be the “tip of an iceberg" in Hong Kong, a city whose skyline is built on high-rise buildings. Suspicions of bid-rigging and use of hazardous construction materials in renovation projects across other housing estates have left many fearing the disaster could be repeated.

A man walks past the burnt buildings after a deadly fire that started Wednesday at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories, Friday, Nov. 28 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

FILE - Smoke rises after a fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories, Nov. 26 2025. (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei, File)