reasons for optimism – Syndication Server

Saints vs. Commanders: 3 reasons for optimism in Week 15

The Saints are set to take on the Washington Commanders this week, here are three reasons for optimism heading into this matchup

The New Orleans Saints are back for another week of football, and this week they have a tough matchup with the 8-5 Washington Commanders, who have been performing well above their 2023 standard for most of the season. This will be a difficult one for the Saints without Derek Carr, and with Jake Haener making his first NFL start.

With that said, there are some positives heading into this matchup and a few ways that the Saints match up well with the Commanders logistically. Despite injuries and a tough 5-8 season so far through Week 14, the Saints have held on to remain in the playoff race for now, with a chance at a division title still being clung to.

Here are three reasons for optimism on the Saints side heading into this game:

Dec 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Chase Young (99) looks up at fans before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The pass rush unit has finally begun to generate pressure

The Saints’ pass rush unit has been very hit or miss throughout the season, however last week we got to see one of their better performances overall. Against the New York Giants they had 37 pressures on 60 snaps, 2 sacks, and 5 batted balls on the defensive line. This was a strong performance from the front seven, and one they will hope to replicate this week against the Commanders. Against the Tennessee Titans, the Commanders only allowed 6 total pressures on the game which allowed Jayden Daniels to be remarkably efficient. If the Saints can get pressure through the opposing offensive line and generate some ill-advised throws, it may help make up for the slightly struggling secondary.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 08: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 08, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Commanders’ run defense has been lackluster in 2024

So far in the 2024 season, the Commanders have allowed the 6th most rushing yards (1,781), tied for the fourth highest allowed yards per carry (4.8), tied for the fifth most 20-plus yard rushing plays allowed (12), and are tied for the ninth most rushing first downs allowed as well (96).

The Saints have a prominent run game featuring Alvin Kamara of course, but also a resurgent Kendre Miller and the power rush of Jamaal Williams to get the ball over the line in short-yardage situations. With Carr out of the game and Haener in, the run game will likely be featured more than ever, and if the Saints can maintain possession long enough to keep the ball away from Washington, they may give themselves a decent chance at keeping this close or even winning.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 17: Dante Pettis #17 of the New Orleans Saints during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Caesars Superdome on November 17, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Commanders punting game could give up some optimal field position

The Commanders have not been a heavy punting team by any metric, punting the second lowest amount of times this season with only 37 tries. However, they have also not been supremely effective at it either, as they are tied for the 5th fewest punts inside the 20 yard line (16) and the 8th lowest average yards per punt (46.5). The Saints on the other side have the 7th most punt return yards on the season (265), a punt return touchdown, are tied for fourth in 20-plus yard returns (3), and have the most 40+ yard returns with the same 3. Field position is going to be exceptionally critical for both teams, but especially the Saints who have been having an enormously difficult time on offense. Good field position + running the ball effectively = scoring chances. That is their way to keeping up in this game.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

5 Reasons for Optimism for Raiders Week 7 vs Rams

It may seem like every team the Raiders face is in better shape than them. But that isn’t always the case. In fact, the Raiders actually have a better record than their next opponent. The Raiders are at 2-4 on the season, while the Rams are 1-4. So, while there are certainly causes for concern, you probably don’t have to look too far to find some reasons for optimism. Here’s a few.

Each week since Crosby missed his first career game, he has looked better and better. Last week in the loss to the Steelers, he was racking up the pressures and only Justin Fields’s supreme athleticism and quick decisions kept him from getting blown up by Crosby. Matt Stafford is not nearly that fleet of foot and is more likely to stay in the pocket than Fields was, opening up the possibility of Crosby getting home a few times.

These days the closest the Raiders have to a number one receiver would appear to be Bowers. He had nine catches last week and leads the team in targets (46), receptions (37) and yards (384). He leads the league in receiving among tight ends, and has him on pace to surpass 1000 yards on the season. Not to mention when he gets the ball his hands, he is among the league leaders in yards after catch. The Raiders will continue to feed him so long as defenses fail to stop it.

Currently the Raiders have the second worst rushing offense in the league. But this week they will go against the very worst run defense, so maybe they can get something going? The Raiders had the worst rush offense while Zamir W/hite was the feature back, so his potential return doesn’t necessarily mean a whole lot. But it can only help to have one more healthy back in the stable along with Alexander Mattison whose four combined touchdowns leads the team.

Looking at the kind of points the Rams have given up had me doing a double take. They have given up at least 24 points in all five games this season. Even the win. And they gave up 41 points to the Rams. The Raiders, on the other hand, have only scored more than 24 points once this season (26). So, maybe the Rams defense is bad enough that the Raiders offense can actually put some points on the board.

SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Raiders’ home away from home. In fact, when they play the Chargers in LA, they get their best crowd of the season. Rams fans represent better than the Chargers, but even still, LA is Raiders country. And for that reason, the crowd is expected to be about 60-40 in favor of the Raiders. Which is about what you get at Allegiant on a good day. That should help the Raiders feel more welcome as well as keep down the noise when they’re on offense.

3 Reasons for optimism as Raiders face off against Broncos

There are some reasons for optimism as Raiders face off against Broncos

Things may seem bleak at the moment for the Raiders. But their next opponent is plenty beatable. In fact, in many ways, these two teams are very similar. They even have the same record (2-2). So while there are some causes for concern, there are reasons for optimism as well.

Bo Nix still finding his way

Nix is a rookie starter and he’s has plenty of issues finding his footing in the NFL. He has thrown all of ONE touchdown pass all season to go with four interceptions. That ain’t great.

Last week the Broncos beat the Jets, but it wasn’t on Nix’s arm. He had just 12 completions in the game. He did throw is lone touchdown pass in the game, but it was to a wide open Courtland Sutton and his pass made the catch a lot harder than it had to be. The defense is carrying this team right now, but the Raiders just beat a team whose strength is defense, but whose QB lost the game for them.

Maxx Crosby might play

While we lament the sheer number of injuries on this Raiders team — and there are a lot of them — the most important player on the team returned to practice Friday and has a chance to play. His return to the lineup would be huge for this Raiders defense that were blown out by the Panthers when Crosby was hobbled and in and out the game with his high ankle sprain.

Crosby is officially Questionable for the game. And in the immortal words of Lloyd Christmas “So, you’re telling me there’s a chance!”

Figuring out the ground game

Last week against the Browns, the Raiders seemed to figure some things out. They ended up eclipsing their entire season total rushing yards over the first three games. They did it in two ways — first by spreading the defense out with sweeps and reverses and second by handing the ball to Alexander Mattison.

This week they were making the change to giving Mattison the bulk of the carries anyway, but Zamir White and his three yards per carry aren’t even available.

Mattison put up 60 yards on five carries last week (12 yards per carry). It will be interesting to see what he can do with feature back carries. And if the Raiders can continue to be creative to keep the defense from stacking the box, they could be in business.