Washington Commanders vs. New Orleans Saints Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 15th 2024
Preview and Prediction
The Washington Commanders have been one of the most surprising teams in the NFL this season.
They finished with only four victories last year and were not expected to improve much in the 2024 season. However, they currently hold an 8-5 record and have control of their playoff destiny as they prepare to face the New Orleans Saints this Sunday.
Washington started the season strong with a 7-2 record before experiencing a three-game losing streak. They bounced back with a dominant 42-19 win against the Tennessee Titans on December 1st, followed by a bye week.
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"We needed some time to rest and recover," said first-year coach Dan Quinn about the brief break.
Quinn was hopeful that the time off allowed his offensive and defensive linemen to recharge.
"In December and January, the line of scrimmage is crucial in football," Quinn explained. "So, to have our players trending in the right direction and feeling healthier at this time of year is a big deal."
Much of the Commanders' success can be attributed to the impressive performance of 23-year-old quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is a top candidate for Rookie of the Year.
This Sunday's game will be a homecoming for Daniels, who played at LSU for the past two seasons after transferring from Arizona State. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2023 while playing for the Tigers.
"I played football down the road in Baton Rouge, and I was fortunate enough to attend a couple of (Saints) games," Daniels shared. "It's going to be exciting. The Superdome gets pretty loud."
The game could also be a homecoming for Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who was acquired by Washington in a trade with New Orleans on November 5th. The four-time Pro Bowler has been out for the past five games due to a hamstring injury sustained while playing for the Saints, but he participated in full practice on Wednesday.
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The Saints' quarterback situation is uncertain and is likely to remain that way until the end of the week. Starter Derek Carr suffered a concussion and an injury to his non-throwing hand in a 14-11 win against the New York Giants last week.
Interim coach Darren Rizzi stated that Carr is not expected to undergo surgery or be placed on injured reserve, but he did not practice on Wednesday.
Jake Haener, who replaced Carr in the game against the Giants, and Spencer Rattler, who was chosen by former coach Dennis Allen to start three games earlier in the season when Carr was injured, both split reps in practice on Wednesday.
"They are both skilled passers and have similar size and athletic abilities," Rizzi said. "There may be some slight differences in the game plan depending on who starts, but it won't be a complete overhaul."
New Orleans has a 3-1 record since Rizzi took over for Allen, but they needed a blocked field goal in the final seconds to secure a win against the struggling Giants, who have now lost eight consecutive games.
"I've heard people say, 'Well, you haven't beaten a good team' - blah, blah, blah," Rizzi responded. "We found a way to win. It was a blocked field goal. That's what we needed to win the game. And we did it."
The Saints are currently two games behind the first-place Buccaneers and will end their regular season with a game against Tampa Bay.
Despite missing practice on Wednesday due to an illness, New Orleans' star running back Alvin Kamara is expected to play on Sunday, according to Rizzi.
Washington Commanders vs. New Orleans Saints Recap DEC 15TH 2024
Jayden Daniels threw two touchdown passes to Terry McLaurin and the visiting Washington Commanders held on to defeat the New Orleans Saints 20-19 on Sunday afternoon.
Daniels completed 25-of-31 passes for 226 yards without an interception and rushed 11 times for 66 yards, but was sacked eight times. McLaurin finished with seven catches for 73 yards, and the Commanders (9-5) held on when a Saints two-point conversion pass failed with no time left.
Second-year quarterback Jake Haener made his first NFL start in place of injured Derek Carr and completed 4-of-10 passes for 49 yards with an interception in one half for the Saints (5-9).
Rookie Spencer Rattler, who was 0-3 while starting place of Carr due to a different injury earlier in the season, relieved Haener to start the second half and completed 7-of-16 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Rattler threw a 1-yard TD to Foster Moreau as time expired, but his ensuing conversion pass failed.
The Commanders received the second-half kickoff and drove to the New Orleans 1, but on third and goal, Daniels was sacked by Cameron Jordan. Greg Joseph kicked a 23-yard field goal that gave Washington a 17-0 lead.
Rattler replaced Haener on the ensuing possession and completed 2-of-4 passes for 51 yards. Wide receiver Cedrick Wilson threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Alvin Kamara, trimming the deficit to 17-7 at the end of the quarter.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Joseph kicked a 41-yard field goal to push the lead to 20-7. Blake Grupe kicked a 41-yard field goal then a 51-yarder to cut the lead to 20-13 with 6:57 left.
Joseph missed a 54-yarder, giving the Saints the ball at their 44 with 1:56 remaining, and Rattler drove them to the final touchdown.
On Washington's first possession, Daniels threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to McLaurin for a 7-0 lead that held up through the end of the first quarter.
Daniels and McLaurin hooked up for a 3-yard scoring toss in the second quarter to take a 14-0 halftime lead.