The New Orleans Saints (5-8) host the Washington Commanders (8-5) in Week 15 action from The Caesars Superdome. The Saints began the season 2-0 with blowout wins over Carolina and Dallas before things went south. New Orleans lost its next seven games, and head coach Dennis Allen was fired.
The Saints promoted special teams coach Darren Rizzi to interim coach, and they’ve gone 3-1 since the move. However, the Saints have suffered numerous injuries in recent weeks. Last week, it was starting quarterback Derek Carr. Carr fractured his left wrist late in a win over the New York Giants. Many of Carr’s top offensive weapons are already out. Wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed and quarterback/running back/tight end Taysom Hill are already out.
Washington currently holds the No. 7 and final playoff spot in the NFC. The Commanders are one game out of the No. 6 spot and must keep winning to hold off the Rams. As of now, Rizzi is keeping his quarterback decision quiet. Will it be Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler?
While the Saints are decimated with injuries, we look at five players to know for this weekend’s game with Washington.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) passes against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Whether it’s Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler, New Orleans’ chances to win depend on quarterback play. Rattler, a rookie fifth-round pick, started three games in place of an injured Carr earlier this season. He was sacked 14 times in those games, which is something to remember. Haener, a fourth-round pick in 2023, has been the Saints’ No. 2 quarterback all season, replacing Carr during games when he’d leave with an injury. Rizzi hasn’t tipped his hand on who will start. Whichever quarterback starts, they’ll have a shortage of offensive weapons.
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Whether it’s Haener or Rattler, the Saints will rely heavily on Alvin Kamara. The eighth-year pro is having another excellent season with 938 rushing yards, six touchdowns, 64 receptions, and a receiving touchdown. The Commanders have struggled to stop the run, so Kamara will present a difficult challenge on Sunday. Washington’s primary goal should be to bottle up the run game and make the young quarterback — either one — throw to beat them.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (10) celebrates a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Valdes-Scantling arrived in New Orleans in October after the Bills released him. With injuries to Olave and Shaheed, MVS has taken advantage of his playing time, catching four touchdown passes in the five games he’s played for New Orleans. Valdes-Scantling averages 24 yards per reception in his five games with the Saints. He could see plenty of former Saint Marcus Lattimore on Sunday.
OCTOBER 17: Chase Young #99 of the New Orleans Saints participates in warmups prior to a game against the Denver Broncos at Caesars Superdome on October 17, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
The storyline is Chase Young, the former No. 2 overall pick and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year for the Commanders, playing against his former team. Young played against Washington last season after he was traded and made no impact. However, while Young isn’t putting up big sack numbers, he’s having a solid season for the Saints. According to Next Gen Stats, Young ranks fourth in the NFL in QB pressures with 61. He had a career-high 10 against the Giants last week.
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90) celebrates after the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan is a future Hall of Famer with 118.5 career sacks. He’s still an excellent player and, most recently, said second-year defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is the future of the Saints’ defensive line. The second-year pro leads New Orleans with 7.5 sacks and clinched last week’s win over the Giants with a blocked field goal. Bresee will be a problem for the Commanders on Sunday.
