Pick Six: Saints' key offensive starters out, Brock Bowers' milestone watch continues in Week 17

Dec 27, 2024 at 03:09 PM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

1. Saints QB1 situation

Saints quarterback Derek Carr has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

This matchup has been heavily anticipated since the start of the season due to Carr's ties with the organization that selected him in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. However, a left hand injury suffered in Week 14 will sideline him for this Week 17 contest, meaning rookie Spencer Rattler will make his fifth career start.

There've been ebbs and flows with the former South Carolina quarterback. He has a 0-4 record as a starter this season, completing 56 percent of his passes with a 2:3 touchdown to interception ration. However, his mobility makes him a threat against the Raiders defense, averaging 6.4 rushing yards a carry this season.

"I've known Spencer since he was a high schooler," Head Coach Antonio Pierce said Friday. "Watched him in college. Very talented player, arm strength, mobility, chance to ad-lib as well. You can tell they really believe in him, especially after that second half in the Commanders game when he came in and led them down there to a potential game-winning two-point play. He's a very gritty player. Obviously had a rough outing last week but expecting him to be at his best this week."

2. Saints swiss army knife is also out

Five-time Pro Bowler Alvin Kamara has also been ruled out with a groin injury.

The Saints offense has been dependent on Kamara for several years now. He currently leads the team in rushing yards (950), rushing touchdowns (six), receptions (68) and receiving yards (543). He's also been a matchup nightmare for the Raiders, totaling 332 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns in his two career games against them.

The Silver and Black will be shift focus to limiting second-year back Kendre Miller, who's averaging 29 rushing yards a game this season.

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3. Defensive production equating to success

With the amount of injuries to the Saints offense, the Raiders defense could be in store for another good showing.

The Silver and Black have held four of their last five opponents under 350 total yards of offense. Additionally, the Raiders have recorded a takeaway in all eight of Pierce's wins as a head coach (dating back to last season) and finished with a positive turnover margin in seven of those eight wins.

The defense has churned out six turnovers and eight sacks over their last three games, including two fumble recoveries and a sack from K'Lavon Chaisson in the 19-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16.

4. Brock Watch

Brock Bowers is on the verge of breaking more this Sunday in Caesars Superdome.

The rookie tight end needs seven receptions to break the Raiders' single-season receptions record, set by Darren Waller in 2020 (107). Additionally, he needs five receptions to break the NFL record for most receptions by a rookie and 10 receiving yards to break the NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end, the latter record standing since 1961.

Bowers already set the record for most receptions for a rookie tight end in NFL history, and leads all tight ends in receiving yards and receptions in the league.

"I've talked to him after games like, 'Man, I've got to move you around more. We've got to get you the ball more,' and he's like, 'Coach, I just want to win,'" interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner said. "And I'm just like, 'Alright.' He doesn't complain about it. He always just puts it on himself, like how can he be better to get more open."

5. AOC trying to put his 'best foot forward'

Aidan O'Connell is set on finishing his second NFL season strong.

With 15 career starts now under his belt, O'Connell has completed 62.3 percent of his passes, the best mark in Raiders history for a quarterback's first 15 games (min. 300 attempts). In last Sunday's victory, he went 24-of-38 (63.2 percent) for 257 yards and hasn't thrown an interception in three of his last four games.

"You're trying your best each week to put your best foot forward," O'Connell said. "And yeah, I mean, I really just look for myself any opportunity I can to play. I know it's a blessing, and like I've talked about this year, I definitely don't take for granted because I know how easily it can be taken away. Just being grateful to be able to play in the NFL, get to live out a dream, is, just me personally, kind of how I view it."

He'll be facing a stingy Saints passing defense that has the third-most pass deflections (83), fifth-lowest completion percentage allowed (62 percent) and second-fewest passing touchdowns allowed (15).

6. Avenging the shutout

The last time the Raiders were in New Orleans, things didn't go their way. In Week 8 of the 2022 season, they were shutout 24-0 inside Caesars Superdome. Linebacker Divine Deablo's 14 total tackles were the one bright spot of the outing.

The all-time regular season series between these two teams sit at 7-7-1.

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Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.