NEW ORLEANS — Jayden Daniels threw two first-half touchdown passes to Terry McLaurin and the Washington Commanders narrowly held off Spencer Rattler and the Saints rallied to win 20-19 on Sunday, but New Orleans failed on a 2-point conversion the rest of the way.
Daniels, who returned to play at LSU a year after winning the Heisman Trophy with LSU, completed 25 of 31 passes for 226 yards. He also ran for 66 yards, highlighted by a first-down scramble on third-and-14 that recently signed Greg Joseph scored on a third-quarter field goal to give the Commanders (9-5) a win. 17-0 lead.
But Rattler took over for starting quarterback Jake Haener and nearly led the Saints to victory (5-9). With 1:55 left in the game, Joseph missed a 54-yard field goal attempt, and Rattler led a 56-yard field goal attempt and threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Foster Morrow as time expired. Moreau).
Interim coach Darren Rizzi pushed for the win, but Rattler couldn’t complete a pass to tight end Juwan Johnson — and the Saints held off four points They lost 0-4 without linebacker Derek Carr, who suffered a concussion and an injury to his left non-throwing hand. a week ago.
Washington kept New Orleans in the game with a combination of penalties (nine for 84 yards) and missed opportunities.
McLaurin had seven catches for 73 yards but was overthrown when he was wide open midway through the fourth quarter. Later he received a long pass from the sideline but could not control it.
Rattler took over for second-year pro Haener, who was making his first career start, and passed for 135 yards and a touchdown. Harner completed just 4 of 10 passes for 49 yards and an interception.
Rattler led New Orleans on four scoring drives, the first of which was a 21-yard touchdown pass from receiver Cedric Wilson Jr. to running back Alvin Kamara to make it 17-7. . Blake Grupe had hits of 41 and 51 yards to cut Washington’s lead to 20-13.
Daniels was sacked eight times, including several when he ran out of bounds without any gain.
Washington opened the scoring in a sandlot football-like manner when Daniels rolled to his left to avoid defensive tackle Kallen Sanders, nearly fell while dodging defensive tackle Brian Bracey, and then passed the linebacker. Pete Werner’s outstretched arm. McLaurin caught the ball as he ran through the end zone and struggled with three players (teammate Brian Robinson Jr., linebackers Alontae Taylor and Cool Ed McKinstry) Hold on when it hits.
GUARDIANS: TE Zach Ertz left with concussion symptoms after a one-handed catch at midfield in the second quarter, setting up Washington’s first score of the fourth quarter and setting up McLaurin’s second touchdown. The formation of the ball laid the foundation. … C Tyler Biadasz was placed on the injury report Saturday with an illness and was ruled out shortly before kickoff. … S Jeremy Chinn was injured while assisting at tackle in the fourth quarter.
Saints: RB Alvin Kamara was checked out for a groin injury in the fourth quarter and did not return. … McKinstry was treated for an unspecified injury in the fourth quarter.
Commander: Host Philadelphia next Sunday.
Saints: Visit Green Bay on Monday, Dec. 23.
