Check out the game action photos from the New Orleans Saints game against the Las Vegas Raiders for Week 17 of the 2024 NFL Season on Dec. 29, 2024 at Caesars Superdome.
The New Orleans Saints closed out their 2024 home campaign with a 25-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome.
It is the Saints' third consecutive loss and drops them to 5-11 with one game to play. The Raiders improved to 4-12.
Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler got his fifth start playing in place of an injured Derek Carr. Rattler had a good first half (11 of 13 for 146 yards with a touchdown) but couldn't generate much offense in the second half. He finished 20 of 36 for 218 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. The Saints were one for nine on third down and had 10 penalties for 77 yards.
Saints running back Kendre Miller left the game in the second quarter with a concussion leading to an increased workload for recently signed running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The LSU product had five carries for 20 yards.
The Saints had to use a little trickery to score their only touchdown. Trailing 3-0, Rattler threw to Miller, who threw back to Rattler, who then found an open tight end Foster Moreau for a 30-yard touchdown pass. The Saints added a 34-yard Blake Grupe field goal as the first half ended.
The Saints defense forced the Raiders to kick four Daniel Carlson field goals but struggled to stop the Las Vegas rushing attack as Ameer Abdullah had 115 yards on 20 carries, the first 100-yard game of his NFL career. Las Vegas quarterback Aidan O'Connell was a solid 20 of 35 for 242 yards with two touchdown passes.
Saints defensive end Cameron Jordanhelped stop the Raiders when they had first-and-goal on the 1-yard line on the opening possession. He had a tackle for a two-yard loss on second down and then sacked quarterback O'Connell for a 10-yard loss on third down, forcing a field-goal attempt (good from 31 yards). O'Connell is the 49th quarterback Jordan has sacked and it gives him 121.5 sacks for his 14-year career.
Saints reserve linebacker Jaylan Ford had to be carted off the field in the fourth quarter after getting hurt covering a punt. Defensive end Payton Turner left earlier in the game with an ankle injury. Receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling left after taking a hard hit with less than two minutes to play.
The Saints will close out the 2024 season at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) next weekend. The NFL hasn't announced the day, time and broadcaster for the game.
Check out the fan photos from the New Orleans Saints game against the Las Vegas Raiders for Week 17 of the 2024 NFL Season on Dec. 29, 2024 at Caesars Superdome.