By Ben Standig, Larry Holder and Amos Morale III
The Washington Commanders ensured the race for the NFC East title would last at least one more week, and improved their playoffs hopes with a 20-19 win against the New Orleans Saints.
Had the Commanders lost Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles could have clinched the division with a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
Washington’s standout rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was sharp helping the Commanders (9-5) continue their postseason push. Daniels passed for 226 yards and two touchdowns, both to receiver Terry McLaurin, and rushed for 66 yards on 11 attempts.
Daniels and the Commanders built a 17-0 lead on the Saints without starting quarterback Derek Carr, who was out with the fractured left hand he suffered in Week 14. Second-year quarterback Jake Haener started the game for New Orleans, but was ineffective as the Saints managed just 38 yards of offense with him under center.
Rookie Spencer Rattler replaced Haener in the third quarter to give New Orleans (5-9) a spark. He nearly led the Saints to a come-from-behind win a through a touchdown pass to tight end Foster Moreau with no time left in the fourth quarter. New Orleans went for the win attempting a two-point conversion, but Rattler’s pass attempt failed.
Explosive and shaky simultaneously?
The Commanders certainly tried and succeeded. Daniels only had six incompletions on 31 attempts without committing a turnover. He also absorbed eight sacks with blame to go around among the offensive line, receivers not creating space and the rookie holding the ball too long.
Washington played without starting center Tyler Biadasz, a late scratch with an illness, and two of their few playmakers, wide receiver Noah Brown and running back Austin Ekeler. Then tight end Zach Ertz exited in the second quarter with a concussion.
McLaurin was outstanding and was inches away from another two touchdowns, only for Daniels to overthrow the open receiver. Maybe more run calls from coordinator Kliff Kingsbury against the league’s worst run defense would have helped.
The Commanders have been highly efficient all season, but there isn’t enough talent to overcome all these injuries and mistakes. Take the win and run, but this inconsistent effort won’t fly against the Eagles next week. — Ben Standig, Commanders beat writer
QB switch rattles Commanders
Washington’s defense dominated an overmatched Haener in the first half. When the Saints switched to Rattler, the Commanders got rattled.
The Saints weren’t reminding anyone of the Drew Brees era, but they outgained the Commanders in the second half and took advantage of Washington settling for field-goal attempts. Linebacker Frankie Luvu lost running back Alvin Kamara on the 21-yard touchdown catch, and Rattler found receivers on the final drive.
At least the two-point pass attempt evaded Juwan Johnson with Noah Igbinoghene in coverage or the flight home would have been a gloomy one. Why the official clock stopped with nine seconds remaining for at least a three-count and nobody on the field seemed to notice is unclear. At least Washington didn’t stop its winning momentum and maintained a playoff spot with three weeks remaining. — Standig
Saints should give Rattler a look
I don’t think anyone expected the world from Haener making the first start of his career Sunday. And given Rattler’s poor play while filling in for an injured Carr earlier this season, giving Haener a shot probably made the most sense. But there’s no question who the Saints will roll with as long as Carr is injured as Rattler brought immediate life to an offense with no momentum at all. With the team playing out the string, there’s zero question the Saints should see what they have in Rattler, the team’s second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. — Larry Holder, NFL senior writer
Required reading
(Photo: Chris Graythen / Getty Images)
