Saints slip to 0-2 after a 26-21 loss to San Francisco, stalling late on a critical fourth-and-2. Spencer Rattler guided New Orleans with three TD passes, but the comeback bid fell short as the defense allowed a late scoring drive. Kamara piled up 99 rushing yards, while Juwan Johnson, Rashid Shaheed, and Devaughn Vele each found the end zone. Penalties and a stout 49ers defense muddied the Saints’ chances, leaving fantasy managers weighing Week 3 faith in the offense.

Rattler finished 25-of-34 for 207 yards with 3 TDs and a fumble, Kamara carved out a reliable 99 yards on 21 carries with 6 receptions, and Shaheed plus Vele provided splash plays in a balanced attack. Demario Davis anchored the defense with 11 tackles as Carl Granderson added 2 sacks. The Saints head to Seattle hoping to rebound behind a hopeful offensive rhythm and improved red-zone execution.

Week 1 kickoff returns surged to 75.6%, the highest single-week rate in 15 years, after the 35-yard touchback shift. Jeff Rodgers’ bold 70%+ forecast nailed the opening month, signaling a renewed emphasis on returns as teams chase field-position upside. In Arizona’s win over New Orleans, Chad Ryland kicked off five times and every kickoff was returned, while Blake Grupe produced one Saints touchback in four attempts, with three returns. Expect fantasy relevance to rise for return units and associated players as the season unfolds.

Return-heavy openings could tilt early-season rosters toward specialists who touch the ball on kickoffs. As teams experiment with aggressive return strategies, fantasy managers should monitor which players gain opportunities, and how kickers and returners influence scoring in leagues that reward return plays.