The Washington Commanders (8-5) face the New Orleans Saints (5-8) in NFL Week 15 action from the Caesars Superdome.
It will be the first game in the burgundy and gold for cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who will face his former team. The Commanders traded for Lattimore at last month’s NFL trade deadline. Lattimore spent the first 7.5 seasons of his NFL career in New Orleans.
Since Washington acquired Lattimore, he’s been sidelined with a hamstring injury. He practiced fully last week and will start.
Meanwhile, the Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen after a 2-7 start. New Orleans promoted special teams coach Darren Rizzi to interim coach, and the Saints have won three of their last four.
However, entering Sunday’s game, New Orleans will be without starting quarterback Derek Carr. Second-year QB Jake Haener will make his first career start. Haener will be bereft of offensive weapons, as the Saints have lost Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Taysom Hill over the last several weeks.
The good news for Haener is he’ll have running back Alvin Kamara.
As expected, the Commanders are big favorites over the Saints. While oddsmakers see Washington coming away with the win, what do the experts think?
According to NFL Pickwatch, 99% of the expert picks favor the Commanders. Washington has been on the other side of these odds for years. Just a few weeks ago, the Commanders were double-digit favorites over the Cowboys and lost a wild game.
Anything can happen in the NFL.