Tag: New Orleans Saints

Darren Rizzi agitated with how officials managed end of third quarter

Darren Rizzi had a lot to say after the Washington Commanders were allowed to attempt a kick after the clock hit zero:

The New Orleans Saints-Washington Commanders game had a few calls made by officials that ultimately impacted the final score, and one such play was at the end of the third quarter. The Commanders were allowed to kick a field goal as the time on the clock was run out to zero seconds, this kick was missed, and then the officials called the quarter off and the play dead, allowing for a retry at the start of the fourth quarter.

Interim head coach Darren Rizzi had a lot to say about this decision and what he was told by the officials.

“Yeah it got totally mismanaged, so, y’know (Washington) had the diving catch, I didn’t agree with it at all, the way it was done,” Rizzi began. “So we had the diving catch, I wasn’t sure, I had the challenge flag in my hand, and I was talking to the sideline official and I’m looking at the clock and we’re discussing on the headset about, y’know, ‘Hey the quarter’s gonna end here, they’re gonna take the quarter.'”

Rizzi continued: “And I got the challenge flag in my hand trying to figure out and communicate with up top whether or not we’re gonna challenge the catch or not. And I’m talking to the official and I’m saying to him, ‘Hey I might challenge this, I might challenge this, hey the quarter’s over, the quarter’s over, the quarter’s over, the quarter’s over, the quarter’s over,’ for about four or five seconds. They let they play go, he misses the field goal.”

What happened next shocked him. Rizzi could only protest the do-over and watch as referee Shawn Hochuli’s crew let the Commanders try another kick after missing the first try.

“So whoever’s in charge of shutting the play down, they obviously let the play go on. And so the explanation I got is it’s a replay-assist situation, the play shouldn’t have been run because the clocks were at zero, the clocks were at zero, their clocks were definitely at zero, the quarter was over. But the officials missed that, and that’s why the play was allowed to go on. That’s where my gripe is: The play should not have been allowed to go on, they gave the field goal kicker basically a freebie, they gave him the mis-hit, and so …” Rizzi trailed off.

It was something he’d never seen before in decades of coaching. And that led Rizzi to level some strong criticism at the officiating crew for how they handled the situation.

“I’ve been coaching kickers for 30 years. You give a guy a warmup shot, he’s got a pretty good shot of making the second one. The success rate goes through the roof when the guy gets a second chance, so that’s where my gripe was, is that it was a management,” Rizzi said, pausing for breath, “Game management from the officials, operations, I’ll let the league handle it, but I hope that everybody else gets held accountable in this league. I hope that the people that mismanaged that get held accountable too because it was completely mishandled.”

Ultimately the Saints would go on to lose 20-19, and this was a critical point in the game as neither team particularly scored well at one point or another, so any points were hard to come by for both sides. Rizzi clearly was upset with the decision, and we will see what happens when the review comes in regarding what calls could have been made or not made.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Jayden Daniels enjoyed his return to the Caesars Superdome in Week 15 win

Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels drew a pointed comparison between his first game at the Caesars Superdome and his return in Week 15:

It doesn’t matter if you spend just one year in Louisiana or twenty four — the Caesars Superdome is one of the most storied venues in the history of American football, and anyone who’s worn cleats and a helmet knows the arena has a different atmosphere. And that goes for former LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels, too.

Daniels returned to the Superdome on Sunday and led the Washington Commanders to a win over the New Orleans Saints on their home turf. It was a close one, too, at 20-19. And that tight margin meant something special to Daniels.

“My first game in the Dome, we lost by one point,” Daniels told reporters after the game, recalling his Tigers’ 24-23 loss to Florida State back in the 2022 season opener. “So it feels good to win by one point.”

It didn’t seem to matter how many times the Saints sacked Daniels (five times in the first half, and eight in total); he just kept bouncing back up and threading passes into tight windows while scrambling to make plays with his legs. The Commanders got their quarterback in this year’s NFL draft.

Maybe the Saints can find theirs next year. Spencer Rattler had some nice flashes in a second-half rally, but he isn’t on the same level as Daniels just yet. Neither is Jake Haener. Derek Carr’s best days are behind him at this point too. We’ll see if the Saints can finally draft a quarterback who can lead them to success next April, but in the meantime they’ve got to find a way to get some positivity going through the last three weeks of their season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

The Saints ruined potential comeback vs. the Commanders by calling the worst play in football

The Saints ran an unbelievably stupid play with the game on the line.

On Sunday afternoon, the New Orleans Saints almost pulled off an amazing, unlikely comeback against the Washington Commanders. Led by Spencer Rattler’s late-game heroics, New Orleans drove down the field in less than two minutes at the end of the game, getting a late touchdown to tight end Foster Moreau to make it 20-19.

Interim Saints head coach Darren Rizzi made the bold call to go for two and the win. That’s admirable. We love to see it. New Orleans had nothing to lose. Except the Saints called the worst possible play at any level of football — a half-field speed out at the goal line — to get it.

It should surprise no one that the Commanders defended the sequence well and preserved their win rather easily.

I don’t understand the logic of a professional offensive coordinator thinking this was a good plan in that situation.

Why divide and ignore half the field as an offense? Why jumble all your receivers in one place, making it easier for the defense to cover their routes? Why not spread everyone out, giving yourself as many options as possible for one of your playmakers to get open for the win?

It boggles the mind. This sequence describes the Saints’ miserable season to a tee.

Commanders lead the Saints at halftime: Four takeaways from the first half

Four quick first-half takeaways from the Commanders vs. Saints.

The Washington Commanders (8-5) lead the New Orleans Saints (5-8) 14-0 at halftime.

New Orleans began the game on offense, and Washington quickly forced a punt. Quarterback Jayden Daniels took over and led the game’s first scoring driving, finding wide receiver Terry McLaurin for a 16-yard touchdown to give the Commanders an early 7-0 lead.

Daniels led another impressive drive, finishing with a second touchdown pass to McLaurin, making it 14-0.

Here are four takeaways from the first half:

Jayden Daniels sharp

Daniels didn’t throw deep in the first half, but he was extremely accurate in the short and intermediate passing game, completing 17 of 19 passes for 140 yards. His first touchdown pass to McLaurin will be on the highlight reels this week. Daniels escaped multiple pressures before seeing McLaurin streak across the field.

Running game was slow to get going

Brian Robinson Jr. led the Commanders with 26 yards in the first half. Daniels carried the ball six times for 20 yards, but New Orleans kept him from getting around the corner multiple times. The Saints’ defensive line is winning the battle up front.

Terry McLaurin remains phenomenal

McLaurin’s two first-half touchdowns give him 11 on the season. It’s his fourth multi-touchdown game of the season and his second in a row. McLaurin’s previous career-high was seven touchdowns. Washington’s offense

Defense is doing as it should

The Saints ended the first half with 38 total yards. The Commanders sacked Jake Haener three times. New Orleans’ only big play was a completion from Haener to running back Alvin Kamara. New Orleans has 18 rushing yards and is one of six on third downs. This is what Washington’s defense should be doing against a young quarterback making his first start, who is without all of his top pass-catchers.

Cameron Jordan sacked the 48th quarterback of his 14-year career

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan sacked the 48th quarterback of his 14-year career, bringing down Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels on Sunday:

Cameron Jordan sacks Jayden Daniels for his 119.5th sack. Daniels is the 48th quarterback Jordan has sacked in his Saints career.

— John (@johnsigler.bsky.social) December 15, 2024 at 1:45 PM

The New Orleans Saints defensive line started strong against the Washington Commanders in Week 15, and 14-year veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan managed to bring down Jayden Daniels in the first half. This sack was good for the 48th different quarterback he has sacked in his career, which brings his career total to 119.5.

Jordan has had a slow season in that category so far, with this being only his second sack on the season which would tie 2023 as his second lowest total (aside from his rookie year, in which he only had one). This brings him ever closer to 22nd on the all-time sacks list as well, where he looks to pass Clyde Simmons who has a total of 121.5. We will see where Jordan ends up finishing his career in this category, but regardless it will be very close to the top of the list.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Jake Haener could be the first QB Saints have drafted to win a game since 1998

Jake Haener could become the first quarterback drafted by the New Orleans Saints to win a game for the team since 1998:

If the New Orleans Saints were to win Sunday’s matchup with the Washington Commanders, sophomore quarterback Jake Haener would do something that hasn’t been done in over 25 years.

Haener could become the first quarterback drafted by the Saints to win a game since all the way back in 1998, per New Orleans-based statistician Drew Porche.

The last Saints quarterback to do so was Danny Wuerffel against the Indianapolis Colts. Wuerffel, like Haener was a fourth-round selection. He played in New Orleans for three years before jumping around the league for a couple more seasons.

Of course, this is extended by Drew Brees’ presence as a free agent signing, but the history of drafted quarterbacks has been quite poor in that time.

Ian Book, Spencer Rattler and now Haener are the only quarterbacks drafted by the Saints to even attempt passes in a start for New Orleans in that time. Book and Rattler did not have much success in their outings, Haener will try to curb the trend.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Commanders-Saints inactives: Who’s in, who’s out for Week 15

Which players are in for the Commanders in Week 15? Who is out? The Week 15 inactive list is here.

The Washington Commanders (8-5) continue their chase to the playoffs on Sunday with a trip to the Caesars Superdome to face the New Orleans Saints (5-8).

In some unexpected news, the Commanders will be without starting center Tyler Biadasz. Biadasz was added to the injury report on Sunday morning with an illness. Biadasz came onto the field for warmups before Washington ruled him out.

Veteran Michael Deiter will start at center. Biadasz has been an anchor for the Commaders’ vastly improved offensive line this season.

The Commanders placed wide receiver Noah Brown on injured reserve Saturday. He’s expected to miss the remainder of the season. The Commanders elevated kicker Greg Joseph from the practice squad, and he will kick for Washington, as Zane Gonzalez is inactive. Gonzalez was on the injury report with a left foot injury.

In better news for the Commanders: Defensive tackle Daron Payne is active and will play. Payne was added to Friday’s injury report with a back injury.

Here’s Washington’s full inactive list for Week 15 vs. New Orleans:

  • QB Jeff Driskel
  • DT Phidarian Mathis
  • K Zane Gonzalez
  • C Tyler Biadasz
  • WR K.J. Osborn
  • CB Michael Davis
  • LB Dominique Hampton

As expected, the Saints will be without quarterback Derek Carr. Last week, Carr suffered a concussion and fractured his left wrist. Jake Haener will start in his place, which will be his first NFL start.

Almost every expert predicts Saints will lose to Commanders

Almost every expert is predicting the New Orleans Saints will lose to the Washington Commanders in Jake Haener’s NFL debut:

It is no secret that the New Orleans Saints are heavy underdogs on Sunday afternoon against the Washington Commanders, but just how heavy is the question?

According to surveys by Pickwatch, a whopping 97% of experts expect the Saints to drop Sunday’s matchup with the Commanders. It is the fourth-highest agreement of the week.

The only ones higher were the Baltimore Ravens over the New York Giants, the Cincinnati Bengals over the Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings over the Chicago Bears.

Being in the same conversations with the Giants, Bears and Titans has to be a new rock bottom for New Orleans.

The doubt doesn’t come from nowhere, though. With Derek Carr out, the Saints will be turning to the efforts of Jake Haener to take on Washington. On top of that, the red hot Commanders offense will be hard to stop.

There is a world where New Orleans finds a new offensive groove under Haener. If the Saints want to prove the doubters wrong, they should hope that is this world.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

NFL Week 15 picks: See who experts are taking in Commanders vs. Saints today

Who are the experts riding with in Week 15?

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.

A reminder: Jake Haener once did a Zoolander-like photo shoot for the Saints

Jake Haener, so hot right now.

Jake Haener was a viral phenomenon over a year before he made his first NFL start for the New Orleans Saints.

He was drafted in 2023 in the fourth round of the NFL Draft out of Fresno State, and while he’s appeared in a few games, he’s starting in place of the injured Derek Carr on Sunday. But it was that post-draft photos shoot that had everyone swooning and thinking he was giving Blue Steel.

Here are the photos that everyone loved, which are still amazing, which you should look at once again now that he’s an NFL starter for the first time:

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1371]