New Orleans Saints quarterback made his sixth career NFL start against the Carolina Panthers in Week 15 at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, and he pulled through for a second consecutive victory.
Shough led the Saints to a 20-17 comeback win over the Panthers, a gutsy performance from the rookie that saw him enter the medical tent after a hard hit. He led the Saints to a win over the Panthers back in Week 10 during his second career start, and he was able to do so for a second time this season.
The Saints (4-10) won back-to-back games for the first time in 2025 and have three wins with Shough starting. Times-Picayune columnist Jeff Duncan said, "you could make a case that Tyler Shough is the best quarterback in the NFC South right now."
Shough is now 3-1 in four starts against NFC South opponents having beaten the Panthers twice and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both of which are tied for first place in the division at 7-7.
Shough completed 24 of 32 passes (75%) for 272 yards, 1 touchdown and no interceptions and had a team-high 32 rushing yards on 8 carries in the Saints Week 15 win. Trizzy Trace on X pointed out that "Tyler Shough's legs are a weapon."
WDSU's Fletcher Mackel tweeted, "NOLA has a QB1" after Shough led a 78-yard Saints scoring drive that saw him throw a 12-yard touchdown to Chris Olave to tie the game at 17.
While Shough's performance left many encouraged, Drew Cook on X noted that, "the lack of chemistry between Tyler Shough and (Saints wide receiver) Chris Olave is painful."
Saints fans appear optimistic about Shough's long-term outlook as the team's starting quarterback despite some growing pains as a rookie. Cortex Studios tweeted that "Tyler Shough is the future."
Shough and the Saints will be back at home next Sunday against the New York Jets (3-11).