The Tuesday film review didn't come with an order of Christmas cheer sprinkled throughout for New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi.
Rewatching a 34-0 loss to Green Bay on Monday night was no more pleasurable than watching it from the sideline at Lambeau Field.
Easily, it was the worst performance in six games under Rizzi, who saw his tenure level off at 3-3 and the Saints' overall record dip to 5-10 as New Orleans prepares to play the Raiders (3-12) on Sunday in the regular-season home finale at the Caesars Superdome.
"I wish there was some magical thing that I found on the film," Rizzi said. "It was, quite frankly, pretty much summed up with what I said (Monday) night. I will say this: Any time you're in a situation like this – we got eliminated from the playoffs during the trip – so I know the question was asked (Monday) night about effort.
"It was the first game where the score wasn't very competitive. So I was just really looking for that on film, and I really couldn't find it. I saw a lot of great effort from guys. We just didn't execute well. There was nothing that stuck out on film more than just the lack of execution and the lack of play-making."
The Saints' offense couldn't stay on the field (four of 11 on third down, zero for two on fourth down), the defense couldn't get off the field (the Packers converted six of 13 third-down attempts, and all three fourth-down tries), both units committed untimely penalties and when two turnovers were added to the pile, it registered as one of the Saints' worst performances in years.
Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler made his fourth start and completed 15 of 30 passes for 153 yards and a interception. He was sacked three times and lost a fumble but ran for a team-high 28 yards on five carries.
"It was definitely a performance where you've got to take the good with the bad, but we've got to get rid of those negative plays – for any quarterback," Rizzi said. "It doesn't matter if you're starting your fourth game or your 400th game, those negative plays are the ones that you're going to look back on and say you've got to get rid of. Hopefully we can move forward from those and get better at it."
That chance again could be presented Sunday if starter Derek Carr can't play. Carr injured his left hand and suffered a concussion against the Giants on Dec. 8. Rattler will continue to work with the starters and will start if Carr misses his third straight game and his sixth of the season, but Carr continues to press toward getting back on the field before the season ends.
"We came out of the last few days with him getting a little bit better, so I think at some point this week we're going to try to simulate what it would be like in a game and see if he's able to function," Rizzi said of Carr. "If we can do that and he can get in there and all the factors that go into it – can he protect himself, can he protect the ball, can he function on offense – if he's able to do it, then we'll do it.
"If not, we're not going to throw him out there just to throw him out there. But he's able to function and we feel like we're not going to lose anything by him being out there, from an offensive schematic standpoint, then so be it."
The offense also could benefit from the return of running back Alvin Kamara, who has gained a career-high 950 rushing yards this season and leads the team with eight touchdowns. Kamara missed Monday's game with a groin injury sustained against Washington.
"For this week, it's probably going to be one of those later in the week decisions," Rizzi said. "I'm not speaking for Alvin, but Alvin told me this morning in my office that he really would like to play again and he's doing everything in his power to get himself back."
INJURY UPDATES: Center Erik McCoy (elbow) appears to have avoided a major injury Monday night, though he could not finish the game against the Packers. "I don't know if Erik's going to be able to play in these last couple of games, but it looks like from the initial feedback and the initial scans is that he avoided surgery," Rizzi said. "It's going to be a matter of whether or not he can function and get back for these last couple of games."
But guard Lucas Patrick (knee) likely will miss the final two.
"I don't know if it's going to be surgical or not at this point, but that looks like it's going to be a significant missed time," Rizzi said. "When I say significant, he's going to miss these last couple of games."
