Category: New Orleans Saints

Rookie Spencer Rattler reinstalled as the Saints starting quarterback

Rattler replaced an ineffective Jake Haener in place of Derek Carr in Week 15 and earned the start against Green Bay on Monday night

Spencer Rattler is once again the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. The team is turning to the fifth-round rookie for Week 16 in place of Jake Haener after Rattler outplayed Haener in the Saints’ Week 15 loss to the Commanders.

Rattler will be under center when the Saints kick off in Green Bay against the Packers on Monday night. The game is expected to be played in the snow, which could present a challenge for the Arizona native, who played collegiately at Oklahoma and South Carolina.

Interim head coach Darren Rizzi noted that Derek Carr remains the starter if he’s able to return from a broken hand.

Rattler started three games earlier in the season with a mixed bag of results, throwing just one touchdown against two INTs (all coming in the Week loss to the Buccaneers) and struggling to move the ball down the field. The start in Green Bay won’t be easy, but it’s an opportunity to gauge Rattler’s improvement in decision-making and ability to impact a defense.

Spencer Rattler shows promise in first NFL start against Buccaneers

Saints rookie QB Spencer Rattler shows promise in first NFL start against Buccaneers

The New Orleans Saints started the season off red hot but have seemingly cooled way off in the past few weeks now dropping their fourth loss in a row to the divisional rival Buccaneers. However, the franchise has found some hope in their maybe not-so-temporary rookie starter in Spencer Rattler, who showed some serious promise in his first NFL start in relief of the injured Derek Carr.

 

Despite what eventually ended up as a blowout loss, the game between the Saints and Buccaneers was a fireworks show early in part due to the big-time plays by each side’s starting quarterback. Rattler looked impressive in completing 22 of 40 passes for 243 yards, and tossing a touchdown to receiver Bub Means. Rattler made plenty of chunk plays happen and helped guide New Orleans to their best offensive performance since their Week 2 blowout of the Dallas Cowboys.

With their offense firing on all cylinders and a rookie quarterback looking to show off the talent that made him such an intriguing draft prospect, it wouldn’t take much for Rattler to establish himself as a potential threat to the starting quarterback position in the Big Easy. Look for Rattler to get the nod once again going into week 7 against a strong Denver Broncos defense that will be sure to test the rookie signal caller.

Spencer Rattler will get first NFL start with Saints after Derek Carr injury

Rookie QB Spencer Rattler will get first NFL start with Saints after Derek Carr’s injury

Formerly the number one quarterback recruit in the country coming out of high school, New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler has had high expectations for the majority of his football career. Rattler was once projected as a potential first overall pick before falling off a bit in his college career and landing in the fifth round to the Saints, where now he will receive his first starting opportunity due to an oblique injury to regular starter Derek Carr.

 

While Carr has seen a bit of a resurgence this season, the long-term of the quarterback position in New Orleans largely remains a mystery, which gives Rattler a tremendous opportunity to make the most of this and potentially walk away as a cemented starter moving forward. By no means would Rattler be handed the job over Carr, but given his tremendous physical talent and skill ceiling, there is a chance Rattler could show just enough to keep Saints’ fans and the coaching staff wanting more.

 

Given the nature of Carr’s injury, Rattler will likely be the quarterback moving forward for the next handful of weeks. Rattler has already impressed in training camp and preseason and should be able to keep this New Orleans offense rolling without their usual starter.

Draft reaction: New Orleans Saints select RB Kendre Miller No. 71 overall

Draft reaction: New Orleans Saints select TCU RB Kendre Miller No. 71 overall

The New Orleans Saints bolstered their running back group in lieu of a potential Alvin Kamara suspension with the selection of TCU running back Kendre Miller.

An explosive big-play back, Miller has consistently been a homerun threat any time he touches the football. In his first two years with the Horned Frogs, Miller managed an incredible seven yards a carry as well as 10 touchdowns, which solidified his electric style of play. Miller was handed the starting role for the Horned Frogs during his junior season. He made the most of it by racking up over 1,500 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns.

With Alvin Kamara potentially missing games next season with a suspension looming, Miller could be the Saints’ answer to try and pick up the pieces the all-pro will leave behind. While Miller won’t be able to entirely replicate what Kamara brought to the offense, their playstyles are similar enough that he could make a large impact on the Saints offense. Even in a backup role, Miller will have to be accounted for at all times whenever he sees the field as both a running and receiving threat.

Saints UDFA Sy Barnett blazing a versatile trail for his upstart school

Barnett started out as a wide receiver and kicker at Ferris State before becoming Davenport’s leading receiver and punter

It was an undrafted free agent signing that flew well under the radar of even most draft analysts. Sy Barnett, a wide receiver from Davenport, inked a deal with the New Orleans Saints after the conclusion of last week’s 2023 NFL draft.

Barnett was a complete unknown name for most draft enthusiasts. Heck, many had no idea where Davenport University was located or that the school was known as the Panthers. I live about 20 minutes from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Davenport is located and I was only somewhat familiar with Barnett and his game. We don’t have a single picture of Davenport football in our vast database.

And that’s why Barnett signing a UDFA contract with the Saints is so special. He’s the first-ever Davenport Panthers player to ever sign with an NFL team. It’s a D-II school that began playing football less than a decade ago, sandwiched between divisional superpowers Ferris State and Grand Valley State in a GLIAC conference that is the SEC of D-II.

Barnett began his college career at Ferris State some 40 miles to the north. The Bulldogs are the reigning D-II champions. He was their leading receiver on teams with deep playoff runs in 2018 and 2019. He was also their kicker and a pretty good one, too.

Barnett, who was also a top basketball recruit in Michigan, bounced his way to Davenport for a highly productive final season. A self-described “Swiss army knife” for the Panthers, he led the team in receptions, punt returns and was the team’s punter. Against his old school, he bombed an 87-yard punt.

Barnett now gets to show off his athletic tools for the New Orleans Saints. It’s not going to be easy for the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Barnett to make it, even on a team that has welcomed a versatile player like Taysom Hill before. His instant speed (4.37 in the 40, 1.48 10-second split) and crazy athleticism (40-inch vertical, 6.68 3-cone drill) give Barnett a chance. That’s more than anyone from Davenport has ever gotten before.

NFL Scoreboard, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 14

NFL predictions, schedule, game previews, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 14 of the 2022 season

NFL predictions, schedule, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 14 of the 2022 season highlighted by Dolphins at Chargers, Eagles at Giants, Vikings at Lions, Jets at Bills

NFL Schedule, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 14

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Results So Far
SU: 65-36-1, ATS: 53-46-3, Point Total: 63-38-1

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams

Prediction: Los Angeles 24, Las Vegas 23
Line: Raiders -6.5, o/u: 42.5
Final Score: Los Angeles Rams 17, Las Vegas 16

Expert Picks Week 14 NFL | Bowls 16-19

Saturday, December 11, 2022

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills

Prediction: Buffalo 24, New York Jets 17
Line: Buffalo -10, o/u: 43.5
Final Score: Buffalo 20, New York Jets 12

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

Prediction: Cincinnati 26, Cleveland 20
Line: Cincinnati -5.5, o/u: 46.5
Final Score: Cincinnati 23, Cleveland 10

Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys

Prediction: Dallas 30, Houston 16
Line: Dallas -17, o/u: 44
Final Score: Dallas 27, Houston 23

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

Prediction: Minnesota 27, Detroit 24
Line: Detroit -2, o/u: 51.5
Final Score: Detroit 43, Minnesota 23

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans

Prediction: Tennessee 24, Jacksonville 17
Line: Tennessee -3.5, o/u: 41
Final Score: Jacksonville 36, Tennessee 22

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

Prediction: Philadelphia 26, New York Giants 20
Line: Philadelphia -7, o/u: 45
Final Score: Philadelphia 48, New York Giants 22

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers

Prediction: Baltimore 16, Pittsburgh 13
Line: Pittsburgh -1.5, o/u: 36.5
Final Score: Baltimore 16, Pittsburgh 14

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos

Prediction: Kansas City 27, Denver 16
Line: Kansas City -9.5, o/u: 43.5
Final Score: Kansas City 34, Denver 28

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers

Prediction: San Francisco 23, Tampa Bay 16
Line: San Francisco -3.5, o/u: 37
Final Score: San Francisco 35, Tampa Bay 7

Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks

Prediction: Seattle 26, Carolina 20
Line: Seattle -3.5, o/u: 44.5
Final Score: Carolina 30, Seattle 24

Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers

Prediction: Miami 30, Los Angeles 27
Line: Miami -3.5, o/u: 53.5
Final Score: Los Angeles Chargers 23, Miami 17

Monday, December 12, 2022

New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals

8:15 ESPN
Line: New England -1.5, o/u: 43.5
Final Score: COMING

NFL Teams on Bye: Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Washington

Expert Picks Week 14 NFL | Bowls 16-19

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– CFN Predictions & Game Previews

NFL Schedule, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 10

NFL predictions, schedule, game previews, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 10 of the 2022 season

NFL predictions, schedule, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 10 of the 2022 season highlighted by Seattle at Tampa Bay, Dallas at Green Bay, Washington at Philadelphia

NFL Schedule, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 10

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Results So Far
SU: 64-36-1, ATS: 52-46-3, Point Total: 62-38-1
– Week 10 NFL Expert Picks

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers

8:15 Prime Video
Prediction: COMING
Line: Atlanta -3, o/u: 42.5

Sunday, November 13, 2022

Seattle Seahawks vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

9:30 NFL Network
Prediction: COMING
Line: Tampa Bay -3, o/u: 44.5

Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills

1:00 FOX
Prediction: COMING
Line: Buffalo -3.5, o/u: 43.5

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears

1:00 FOX
Prediction: COMING
Line: Chicago -3, o/u: 48.5

Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans

1:00 CBS
Prediction: COMING
Line: Tennessee -2.5, o/u: 38

Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs

1:00 CBS
Prediction: COMING
Line: Kansas City -9.5, o/u: 50.5

Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins

1:00 CBS
Prediction: COMING
Line: Miami -3.5, o/u: 48.5

Houston Texans at New York Giants

1:00 CBS
Prediction: COMING
Line: New York Giants -5, o/u: 40.5

New Orleans at Pittsburgh Steelers

1:00 FOX
Prediction: COMING
Line: New Orleans -2.5, o/u: 40

Indianapolis Colts at Las Vegas Raiders

4:05 CBS
Prediction: COMING
Line: Las Vegas -6, o/u: 42.5

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers

4:25 FOX
Prediction: COMING
Line: Dallas -4.5, o/u: 43

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams

4:25 FOX
Prediction: COMING
Line: Los Angeles Rams -3, o/u: 43.5

Los Angeles Chargers at San Francisco 49ers

8:20 NBC
Prediction: COMING
Line: San Francisco -7, o/u: 45.5

Monday, November 14, 2022

Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles

8:15 ESPN
Prediction: COMING
Line: Philadelphia -11, o/u: 44

Bye Week: Baltimore, Cincinnati, New England, New York Jets

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NFL Schedule, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 9

NFL predictions, schedule, game previews, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 9 of the 2022 season

NFL predictions, schedule, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 9 of the 2022 season highlighted by Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay, Tennessee at Kansas City, Buffalo at New York Jets

NFL Schedule, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 9

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Results So Far
SU: 63-36-1, ATS: 51-46-3, Point Total: 61-38-1
– Week 9 NFL Expert Picks

Thursday, November 3, 2022

Philadelphia at Houston

8:15 Prime Video
Line: Philadelphia -13, o/u: 44

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Los Angeles Chargers at Atlanta

1:00 FOX
Line: Los Angeles -3, o/u: 49

Miami at Chicago

1:00 CBS
Line: Miami -4.5, o/u: 44

Green Bay at Detroit

1:00 FOX
Line: Green Bay -3, o/u: 49

Indianapolis at New England

1:00 CBS
Line: New England -5.5, o/u: 39.5

Buffalo at New York Jets

1:00 CBS
Line: Buffalo -13, o/u: 47.5

Minnesota at Washington

1:00 FOX
Line: Minnesota -3.5, o/u: 43.5

Las Vegas at Jacksonville

1:00 CBS
Line: Las Vegas -1, o/u: 48

Seattle at Arizona

4:05 FOX
Line: Arizona -1.5, o/u: 50

Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay

4:25 CBS
Line: Tampa Bay -3, o/u: 42.5

Tennessee at Kansas City

8:20 NBC
Line: Kansas City -12.5, o/u: 46.5

Monday, November 7, 2022

Baltimore at New Orleans

8:15 ESPN
Line: Baltimore -3, o/u: 48

NFL Teams on Bye: Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, New York Giants, Pittsburgh, San Francisco

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NFL Schedule, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 8

NFL predictions, schedule, game previews, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 8 of the 2022 season

NFL predictions, schedule, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 8 of the 2022 season highlighted by Green Bay at Buffalo, New York Giants at Seattle, New England at New York Jets

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Results So Far
SU: 54-30-1, ATS: 43-39-3, Point Total: 53-31-1
– Week 8 NFL Expert Picks

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

8:15 Prime Video
Prediction: Baltimore 23, Tampa Bay 20
Line: Baltimore -1, o/u: 43.5
Final Score: Baltimore 27, Tampa Bay 22

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Denver Broncos vs Jacksonville Jaguars

9:30 am ESPN+
Prediction: Jacksonville 19, Denver 17
Line: Jacksonville -4, o/u: 40
Final Score: COMING

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons

1:00 FOX
Prediction: Atlanta 26, Carolina 20
Line: Atlanta -6.5, o/u: 41
Final Score: COMING

Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys

1:00 FOX
Prediction: Dallas 24, Chicago 13
Line: Dallas -10, o/u: 43
Final Score: COMING

Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions

1:00 CBS
Prediction: Miami 24, Detroit 20
Line: Miami -3.5, o/u: 50
Final Score: COMING

Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings

1:00 FOX
Prediction: Minnesota 27, Arizona 24
Line: Minnesota -4, o/u: 48
Final Score: COMING

Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints

1:00 CBS
Prediction: Las Vegas 30, New Orleans 27
Line: Las Vegas -2, o/u: 47.5
Final Score: COMING

New England Patriots at New York Jets

1:00 CBS
Prediction: New York Jets 24, New England 20
Line: New England -1.5, o/u: 41
Final Score: COMING

Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles

1:00 CBS
Prediction: Philadelphia 27, Pittsburgh 13
Line: Philadelphia -10.5, o/u: 44
Final Score: COMING

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans

4:05 CBS
Prediction: Tennessee 23, Houston 17
Line: Tennessee -4, o/u: 41
Final Score: COMING

Washington Commanders at Indianapolis Colts

4:25 CBS
Prediction: Washington 20, Indianapolis 17
Line: Indianapolis -4, o/u: 41.5
Final Score: COMING

San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams

4:25 FOX
Prediction: Los Angeles Rams 24, San Francisco 20
Line: San Francisco -2, o/u: 41
Final Score: COMING

New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks

4:25 FOX
Prediction: New York Giants 27, Seattle 24
Line: Seattle -2.5, o/u: 46.5
Final Score: COMING

Green Bay Packers at Buffalo Bills

8:20 NBC
Prediction: Buffalo 31, Green Bay 20
Line: Buffalo -10.5, o/u: 47.5
Final Score: COMING

Monday, October 31, 2022

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns

8:15 ESPN
Prediction: Cincinnati 26, Cleveland 20
Line: Cincinnati -3, o/u: 47
Final Score: COMING

NFL Teams on Bye: Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers

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Chris Olave is already an elite receiver

New Orleans Saints rookie Chris Olave is already establishing himself as one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL

Back in April, the New Orleans Saints made some bold trades in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.

The Saints received the 16th and 19th overall selections from the Philadelphia Eagles, in exchange for the 18th pick and their first-round pick in 2023. They traded up again from No. 16 to No. 11 to make sure they landed their prime target, and with good reason.

Chris Olave has already made a name for himself as a premier pass-catcher, seemingly dominating every cornerback that has been lined up in front of him, even with suboptimal and inconsistent quarterback play from two different signal-callers. It shows just how talented Olave is, always proving to be a key part of the game plan, and consistently using his elite route-running ability to get open.

This is all reflected in the impressive stat line he’s put together through six starts, racking up 495 yards and a pair of touchdowns, despite facing some of the better defenses in the league over that stretch.

This all goes back to Olave’s scouting report coming out of Ohio State, where he was touted as the perhaps the best route runner in all of college football. Smooth and decisive, he dominated at the collegiate level over the previous three years, capping off his final campaign with 13 touchdown receptions. His burst in and out of routes, and his ability to understand how a defense is playing him, will clearly serve him well in the NFL for a long time to come, and he’ll only get better as he continues to learn and grow against pro competition.

Olave is already keeping defensive coordinators awake at night, and with a creative offensive scheme and more consistent quarterback play, the sky is the limit for this first-year playmaker. He’s already one of the most polished and productive pass-catchers in the league, and he’s just getting started.

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