The New Orleans Saints have continued to find ways to win since interim head coach Darren Rizzi took over. They have a 3-1 record since Dennis Allen was fired. Next up for the Black and Gold is a matchup with the Washington Coomanders, who are coming off their bye week.
The Commanders’ fortunes have turned around in 2024 since bringing in a new coaching staff and being under new ownership. Those factors combined with an improved roster, including a young, electric quarterback in Jayden Daniels, have propelled Washington to an 8-5 record.
Kickoff inside the Caesars Superdome is set for noon on Sunday, December 15th.
HAENER QB1
Derek Carr found himself on the injury report after fracturing his left hand and sustaining a concussion in last Sunday’s win over the New York Giants. With Carr likely unavailable, interim coach Darren Rizzi announced a couple of days ahead of this week’s contest that Jake Haener will start at quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.
This will be Haener’s first career start, and he’ll get his turn to show what he’s got in the Superdome. Rookie Spencer Rattler had his chance earlier in the season, but he went 0-3 in his starts and had a 1/2 TD/INT ratio.
Haener talked with the media ahead of Sunday’s game against Washington, saying, “I am going to be confident. I am going to let it rip.” The second-year quarterback went further, talking about how there’s nothing for him to lose; essentially, he’s playing with house money. The Saints are a 5-8 football team that has almost no chance of winning the division and making the playoffs.
It won’t be easy for Haener as New Orleans is missing three out of their top four skill position players. The only player left who makes a huge difference week in and week out is Alvin Kamara, and he’s listed as questionable with an illness.
LATTIMORE IS BACK
Marshon Lattimore was a former first-round selection for the Black and Gold back in 2017. In his time in New Orleans, Lattimore was a four-time Pro Bowler and the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year. The former Ohio State Buckeye also racked up 15 interceptions and 88 pass deflections in his eight-year career.
His time in the Big Easy came to an end earlier this season when Mickey Loomis and the front office of the Saints traded Lattimore and a fifth-round pick away to the Commanders for a 2025 third, fourth, and sixth-round selection days before the NFL trade deadline.
We have yet to see Lattimore suit up for Washington as he’s dealt with a nagging hamstring injury that popped up earlier this season. The expectation though is that he’ll make his Commander debut on Sunday against his old team and there will be extra motivation.
Lattimore told the Washington media “They traded me away; going back to show them why they shouldn’t have. I’m happy where I’m at but you know how it be, extra motivation for the game.”
DANIELS LEADING THE WAY
The former LSU Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback will also return to familiar grounds on Sunday. Jayden Daniels was selected number two overall by Washington and has helped propel the Commanders to relevancy.
Through his first 14 games, Daniels has over 3,400 yards and 21 total touchdowns. Daniels is 50 yards behind Brian Robinson Jr in being the team’s leading rusher and 16th in the NFL in passing yards.
With the play on the field and the team’s success, Daniels is the frontrunner to be this year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, ahead of former teammates Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.
Daniels’ ability to beat you with his arm and legs is a routine recipe for disaster for the Saints. New Orleans has repeatedly shown their inability to slow down opposing quarterbacks from extending drives and making plays on the ground or buying time with their feet to make throws down the field. It’s been their Achilles heel that should show up in the dome again on Sunday.
SERIES RECORD: Commanders lead 17-11
Last 5 Meetings:
2021: SAINTS 33 – FOOTBALL TEAM 22
2018: SAINTS 43 – REDSKINS 19
2017: SAINTS 34 – REDSKINS 31 OT
2015: REDSKINS 47 – SAINTS 14
2012: REDSKINS 40 – SAINTS 32
STAT LEADERS:
Saints
Derek Carr: 189-279, 2,145 Yards, 15 TD, 5 INT
Alvin Kamara: 223 Carries, 938 Yards, 6 TD
Alvin Kamara: 64 Catches, 485 Yards, 1 TD
Bryan Bresee: 7.5 Sacks
Demario Davis: 90 Tackles (42 Solo)
Tyrann Mathieu & Paulson Adebo: 3 INT
Blake Grupe: 20-of-24 Field Goals, Long of 57, 28-of-30 PAT
Commanders
Jayden Daniels: 252-362, 2,819 Yards, 15 TD, 6 INT
Brian Robinson: 138 Carries, 640 Yards, 8 TD
Terry McLaurin: 61 Catches, 896 Yards, 9 TD
Dante Fowler Jr: 8.5 Sacks
Bobby Wagner: 104 Tackles (60 Solo)
Emmanuel Forbes, Jeremy Chinn, Dante Fowler Jr & Mike Sainristil: 1 INT
Austin Seibert: 27-of-30 Field Goals, Long of 55, 22-of-24 PAT
INJURY REPORT:
Saints
Derek Carr, QB, Left Hand/Concussion, Doubtful
D’Marco Jackson, LB, Ankle, Out
Alvin Kamara, RB, Illness, Questionable
Juwan Johnson, TE, Foot, Questionable
Bub Means, WR, Ankle, Out
Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Achilles, Questionable
Commanders
Noah Brown, WR, Kidney, Out
Zach Ertz, TE, Hamstring/NIR (Rest), Questionable
Clelin Ferrell, DE, Knee NIR (Rest), Questionable
Zane Gonzales, K, Left Foot, Questionable
Quan Martin, S, Shoulder, Questionable
Jamison Crowder, WR, Calf, Questionable
Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Groin, Probable
Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Thumb, Probable
Marshon Lattimore, CB, Hamstring, Probable
Jordan Magee, LB, Elbow, Probable
Daron Payne, DT, Back, Questionable