Can Aidan O'Connell Lead Las Vegas? Will Rookie Spencer Rattler Spark the Saints?
Las Vegas Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints
The Las Vegas Raiders (3-12) will travel to the Caesars Superdome to face the New Orleans Saints (5-10) in an intriguing Week 17 matchup. With both teams officially eliminated from playoff contention, this game offers a closer look at the development of young players and the future of each franchise. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM EST on FOX.
Both teams are dealing with significant injuries, and while this game lacks postseason stakes, it’s an important opportunity for both sides to build momentum for next season. Let’s break down the key matchups, injuries, and betting angles ahead of this game.
Las Vegas Raiders: Can They Find More Success with Aidan O’Connell?
After a dismal 10-game losing streak, the Las Vegas Raiders finally managed to snap their skid, securing a 19-14 victory over Jacksonville last Sunday. While the win was a positive step, it came with its own set of implications. The Raiders’ victory, though uplifting for their morale, pushed them down the draft order from a potential top-2 pick to No. 6, which could impact their ability to secure one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft—a key position of need for the team.
In their win over Jacksonville, the Raiders were statistically neck-and-neck with the Jaguars, outgaining them 314 to 308 in total yards and holding a 21-15 advantage in first downs. Aidan O’Connell once again led the charge, throwing for 257 yards with no turnovers, which could give the Raiders hope for the future despite their struggles.
Offensively, the Raiders have been among the worst in the league, ranking in the bottom five for points per game, yards per game, and yards per play. They are also dead last in rushing yards, which significantly limits their offensive balance. However, they have shown some resilience defensively, ranking in the top 10 in yards per play and yards allowed despite giving up 26 points per game (27th in the NFL).
With starting quarterback Gardner Minshew on injured reserve, Aidan O’Connell is expected to start once again. O’Connell has completed 63.2% of his passes for 1,156 yards, with 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions this season.
New Orleans Saints: Can Rookie Spencer Rattler Spark an Offense in Shambles?
The New Orleans Saints have been in freefall after a promising 2-0 start to the season. The firing of head coach Dennis Allen during their seven-game losing streak was a desperate attempt to salvage their season. While they have gone 3-3 since his departure, they’re coming off a disastrous 34-0 loss to Green Bay on Monday Night Football. This humbling defeat highlighted the severe issues plaguing both the Saints’ offense and defense.
The Saints’ offense has been inconsistent all season, ranking 22nd in the league, averaging just 20.6 points per game. They also rank 17th in yards per play (5.5). A major blow comes with the absence of quarterback Derek Carr, who is out with an injury. The Saints will start rookie Spencer Rattler, who struggled in his debut against the Packers, completing 15 of 30 passes for 153 yards with 1 interception. Rattler also led the Saints in rushing with just 28 yards.
In addition to Carr’s absence, the Saints’ rushing attack has been decimated by the loss of star running back Alvin Kamara, who will miss this game. They will also be without tight end/running back Taysom Hill for the rest of the season, further depleting their offensive arsenal.
Defensively, the Saints have been somewhat middle-of-the-road, ranking 16th in points allowed (23.1 PPG). However, they’ve been vulnerable in certain areas, especially against the run, ranking 29th in yards per rush attempt allowed. They’ll need to tighten up these deficiencies if they hope to contain the Raiders’ offensive attack, even one as inconsistent as Las Vegas’s.
Conclusion
While both teams have struggled this season, the Las Vegas Raiders have a slight edge in terms of consistency, particularly in their win over Jacksonville. With Aidan O’Connell under center, they have a young quarterback who might start showing flashes of potential, even though the offense has been far from explosive.
On the other hand, the New Orleans Saints are dealing with a full-blown crisis on offense, and without Derek Carr or Alvin Kamara, they’re a shell of the team they were at the start of the season. Spencer Rattler is untested and will need to prove himself in a tough situation. Moreover, the absence of Taysom Hill further limits their playmaking options.
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