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:
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.
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.
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.
