Raiders wreck Saints, 25-10

By Ross Jackson

THE STORY: “A tale of two halves” has been a common theme of the New Orleans Saints’ 2024 season as of late, and their 25-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders was another to add to the collection.

More frequently, the story has been a successful half paired with an unsuccessful half. The exception being the loss at Green Bay Packers. That was all bad. This game was a tale of bad to worse.

The offense started out strong, with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler completing 11 of his first 13 passing attempts for 146 passing yards and touchdown throw. His day would have been even better were it not for ill-timed penalties and plenty of dropped passes. 

In the second half, however, the house came tumbling down. After averaging 9.7 yards per play in the first half, New Orleans gained just 2.3 per play in the second. Rattler was sacked three times and threw a pair of interceptions. The first interception went off the hands of a receiver. The second followed a great pass up the seam that was called back for offensive pass interference.

The other side of the ball was not at all a tale of both halves, but instead a consistent issue. The Saints defense was a liability all day. 

Yet another game with no takeaways, only one sack and career high in rushing yards surrendered to Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah. The game was dominated by the Raiders side of the trenches and the Saints’ habitual slew of missed tackles continued.

In the end, it was another loss with very few redeeming qualities for the team.

THE PLAYS:

CAMMMMM SACK 😤

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/AckisYFbFZ

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 29, 2024

Ratt Attack. First play, 28-yard rush

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/VIP8qBbopT

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 29, 2024

Rattler to Kendre to Rattler to Foster.

TOUCHDOWN‼️

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/ZZBlQVDnW5

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 29, 2024

THE STATS:

• O’Connell became the 49th NFL quarterback to be sacked by Jordan. Jordan now has 121.5 career sacks, all with the Saints.
• Rattler finished the first half 11/13 for 146 passing yards and a touchdown strike. 
• The Saints running back trio of Kendre Miller, Jamaal Williams and Clyde Edwards Helaire combined to carry the ball 10 times for just 35 yards
• The Saints were penalized 10 times for 77 yards
• Las Vegas won time of possession 37:50 to 22:10
• New Orleans converted 1-of-10 on third down. Las Vegas converted 10-of-18

THE INJURIES:

• Running back Kendre Miller was taken out of the game for a concussion check in the second quarter. At the beginning of the second half, he was ruled out.
• Linebacker Jaylan Ford was carted off later in the fourth quarter in an air cast. 
• Cornerback Rico Payton was ruled doubtful to return in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury.
• With just 1:54 left in the game, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling received his second target. He was hit hard across the middle of the field and was taken out of the game after being tended to on the field.