Check out the game action photos from the New Orleans Saints game against the Washington Commanders for Week 15 of the 2024 NFL Season on Dec. 15, 2024 at Caesars Superdome.
A switch to quarterback Spencer Rattler gave life to a moribund New Orleans Saints offense but the possible storybook comeback came up just short as the Washington Commanders won 20-19 on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome.
Rattler connected with tight end Foster Moreau for a 1-yard touchdown pass as time expired to make it 20-19 but the two-point conversion pass fell incomplete, securing the win for Washington.
The loss dropped New Orleans to 5-9, 3-2 under interim head coach Darren Rizzi. Washington improved to 9-5.
Jake Haener got the start at quarterback in place of the injured Derek Carr but had a rough first half, completing four of 10 passes for 49 yards with an interception as the Saints were shut out in the half, 14-0.
Rattler, a rookie fifth-round pick who started three games earlier in the year, immediately led the Saints on a scoring drive to start the second half, although he didn't throw the touchdown pass. The Saints scored on a 21-yard pass from receiver Cedrick Wilson to Alvin Kamara, who made an impressive one-handed catch before crossing the end zone. It was the second touchdown pass of Wilson's career and it was notable for Kamara as well. Kamara (60 rushing touchdowns, 25 receiving touchdowns) is the fourth player in NFL history with 50+ rushing touchdowns and 25+ receiving touchdowns, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Lenny Moore and Marshall Faulk and San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey.
Kamara left the game in the fourth quarter with a groin injury.
New Orleans added 41-, and 51-yard yard Blake Grupe field goals to make it 20-13 to set the stage for Rattler's final drive. He finished 10 of 21 for 135 yards and the touchdown. Kamara had 12 rushing yards and 58 receiving before he left. Marquez Valdes-Scantling had two catches for 64 yards and tight end Foster Moreau had four for 39 yards plus the touchdown. Running back Kendre Miller had nine carries for 46 yards.
Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels was at the center of the Commanders attack, completing 25 of 31 passes for 226 yards with two touchdown passes to Terry McLaurin. He was equally dangerous running, scrambling for 66 yards on 11 carries. But the New Orleans defense was able to get the former Heisman Trophy winner from LSU to the ground. The Saints had their most sacks of the season with eight: Cam Jordan and Chase Young had two each; Carl Granderson, Willie Gay, Demario Davis and Ugo Amadi each had one.
Daniels' elusiveness helped the Commanders convert on third down and run up a huge time of possession advantage (40:50-19:10).
The Saints will have an extra day to prepare for their next game, at Green Bay on "Monday Night Football."