Presented by

Game Preview: Raiders finish out road slate with matchup against New Orleans Saints

Dec 24, 2024 at 03:10 PM

Rachel Gossen

Digital Managing Editor

The Las Vegas Raiders (3-12) hit the road for the final time this season, taking on the New Orleans Saints (5-10) in Week 17.

Kickoff is set for Sunday, December 29 at 10:00 a.m. PT.

Broadcast information

Network/Flagship	Play-by-play	Color Analyst
TV: FOX	Adam Amin	Mark Sanchez
Local Radio: KOMP 92.3 FM and KRLV "Raider Nation Radio 920 AM"	Jason Horowitz	Lincoln Kennedy
Spanish Radio: Deportes Vegas 1460 AM	Harry Ruiz	Mayra Gomez

Opponent profile

Coach: Darren Rizzi (interim head coach)

Quarterback: Derek Carr/Jake Haener/Spencer Rattler

Key additions: Edge Chase Young, T Taliese Fuaga, CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, QB Spencer Rattler, WR Cedrick Wilson Jr.

Key losses: WR Michael Thomas, QB Jameis Winston, TE Jimmy Graham, S Marcus Maye

What to know

The Raiders will be looking to finish out their season strong, especially in their last road matchup of 2024.

"Look, we work 80 hours a week, the staff. The players come in here 40 plus hours to work. We don't do this to lose," Head Coach Antonio Pierce said. "We don't do this for anybody's fantasy football team. We don't do this for anybody's draft projections. None of that [expletive] matters to us. The only thing that matters is winning, and that's all we want to do."

Meanwhile, the Saints are coming off a shutout by the Green Bay Packers, 34-0, on Monday Night Football. Notably, the team's offense was without its top playmakers as Derek Carr (left hand/concussion), Alvin Kamara (groin), Chris Olave (head) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness) were sidelined with injuries. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler made his fourth start of the season – and first since Week 8 – in place of Carr and went 15-of-30 for 153 yards and one interception.

The Raiders could see the familiar face of Carr under center as, per the team's website, the quarterback is seeing some improvement and pushing to get back on the field after injuring his left hand and suffering a concussion in Week 14. This would be the first time the 11-year vet would face his former team. If Carr is again unable to go, Saints Interim Head Coach Darren Rizzi said Rattler will start again.

Matchup history

The all-time regular season series between the Raiders and Saints is tied at 7-7-1.
Last time: The Saints defeated the Raiders, 24-0, in New Orleans on October 30, 2022.

A look at the stats

Following Week 16, the Raiders offense ranks 28th in the league in total offense (300.1 yards per game), 14th in passing (222.7 ypg), 32nd in rushing (77.5 ypg) and 29th in points (17.6 ppg). Defensively, the Raiders rank 12th in total defense (328.1 ypg), ninth in passing (210.1 ypg), 13th in rushing (117.9 ypg) and 27th in points allowed (26.0 ppg).

The Saints offense ranks 18th in the league in total offense (325.4 yards per game), 23rd in passing (204.8 ypg), 13th in rushing (120.6 ypg) and 22nd in points (20.6 ppg). Defensively, the Saints rank 30th in total defense (378.4 ypg), 28th in passing (240.5 ypg), 30th in rushing (137.9 ypg) and tied for 16th in points allowed (23.1 ppg).

Milestones to watch

TE Brock Bowers needs seven receptions to break the Raiders' single-season receptions record, set by Darren Waller in 2020 (107).
Bowers need five receptions to break the NFL record for most receptions by a rookie, set by Puka Nacua in 2023 (105).
Bowers needs 10 receiving yards to break the NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end (Mike Ditka, 1,076 in 1961).

Team connections

Raiders guard/tackle Andrus Peat was drafted by the Saints in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft and spent nine seasons with New Orleans.
Raiders senior defensive assistant Rob Ryan served as defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints from 2013-15.
Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins was drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft and spent four seasons with the team.
Saints quarterback Derek Carr was drafted by the Raiders in second round of the 2014 NFL Draft and spent nine seasons with the team, finishing as the franchise passing yards leader.
Saints tight end Foster Moreau was drafted by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and played four seasons with the Silver and Black.
Saints defensive coordinator Joe Woods served as the Raiders defensive backs coach in 2014.
Saints secondary coach Marcus Robertson spent two seasons as the Raiders defensive backs coach (2015-16).

1 / 26

Las Vegas Raiders tight end John Samuel Shenker's (86) cleats in the locker room prior to the Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium.