When we break down the NFL regular season into quarters the New Orleans Saints are coming off their most successful one of this year, having won three of four games under interim head coach Darren Rizzi.
The second quarter under Rizzi, and final one of the season, begins at noon Sunday in the Caesars Superdome as the Saints (5-8) face the Commanders (8-5). To kick off the final quarter the right way, here are a few things that could help:
1. POUND GROUND
Yes, the Saints will have a first-time starter at quarterback (Jake Haener) and, yes, it'll be important that Haener makes the right decisions in the passing game. But Haener's best friends Sunday will be running backs Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller, and the offensive line that can pave the way to a productive run game. Kamara already has a career single-season high of 938 rushing yards, leaving him 62 short of his first 1,000-yard season, and Miller ran for 32 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries against a tough Giants defense last Sunday. Washington allows 137 rushing yards per game, third-most in the league, so New Orleans has a chance to control the clock, tempo, line of scrimmage and dictate its terms in the passing game if it effectively can run the ball.
2. PASS IT ON
Just because the Saints need to minimize Haener's exposure to unfavorable down-and-distance situations doesn't mean he doesn't need to be efficient on the throws and reads that he makes. If the Commanders aren't a heavy blitz team, they surely will consider that option in passing situations against a first-time starter. Quick throws to Kamara, Miller and tight ends Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau will benefit Haener and the offensive line, because it won't have to protect as long on those throws. Most of all, Haener must avoid turnovers.
3. MINIMIZE LATT
It'll be an emotional homecoming game for Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore, making his first appearance for Washington since being traded from the Saints on Nov. 5. In eight seasons with New Orleans, Lattimore, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2017, established himself as a Pro Bowl-level, shutdown corner. But there's no reason for the Saints, with a first-time starter at quarterback, to challenge Lattimore unnecessarily. Force him to support the run, use his aggressiveness and emotion against him and hopefully set him up in the passing game.
4. HIGH ALERT
Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, last year's Heisman Trophy winner from LSU, has been as impactful as any rookie quarterback in a long time. The Commanders, 4-13 last season, very much are in the playoff hunt. Daniels can throw (70 percent completions for 2,819 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions), run (590 yards and six touchdowns on 108 carries) and do enough of each to make receiver Terry McLaurin (61 catches for 896 yards and nine touchdowns) and running back Brian Robinson (138 carries for 640 yards and eight touchdowns) even more effective.
5. GAP BAND
New Orleans allows 134 rushing yards per game, 25th in the league. Washington averages 157 rushing yards per game, third-most in the league. The Saints have had season-long issues of consistency with gap integrity on defense against the run, and this isn't a team where New Orleans can afford to be inconsistent. The line must do its job, linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner have to do theirs, safety Tyrann Mathieu and the secondary have to do theirs and together, they need to make the Commanders one-dimensional. Put the game in Daniels' hands and try to affect his decision-making.
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