The Las Vegas Raiders aren’t going to the playoffs. Neither are the New Orleans Saints.
When the two teams meet Sunday in New Orleans, it will be largely an audition for future employment for coaches and players on both teams.
Las Vegas (3-12) hired Antonio Pierce as head coach after the team had an encouraging 5-4 record during his stint as interim head coach last season. Still, the disappointing 2024 season leaves Pierce’s future in question.
New Orleans is 3-3 under interim head coach Darren Rizzi, who was promoted when Dennis Allen was fired after a seven-game losing streak this season.
The Raiders are expected to start second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who has shared that role with Gardner Minshew and Desmond Ridder. None has shown that he should be considered a centerpiece of the rebuild going forward.
Rizzi earned victories in his first two games in charge and three of the first four, but the team had by far its worst performance under him in a 34-0 road loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.
Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who is in his second season in New Orleans, is trying to return from an injury to his left (non-throwing) hand. Rookie fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler, who is 0-4 as a starter and played poorly against the Packers, is more likely to start Sunday.
Las Vegas ended a 10-game losing streak by beating the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars 19-14 last week.
“Guys are never going to quit,” Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers said. “We hear about (draft picks) and all that, but we’re professionals. We do our best to win every play every day, and wherever the ball falls, it falls.”
The Raiders’ losing streak included games decided by five, seven, two and six points.
“It is so hard to win in this league,” Las Vegas running back Alexander Mattison said. “When you’re this close so many times … you just want to finish the season strong.”
Raiders tight end Brock Bowers needs 10 receiving yards to break Mike Ditka’s NFL rookie record for tight ends (1,076 yards in 1961).
New Orleans (5-10), meanwhile, is trying to avoid another poor start. The Saints allowed touchdowns on Green Bay’s first three possessions to fall behind 21-0 and never recovered.
“It was the first game where the score wasn’t very competitive,” said Rizzi, whose first two losses as interim head coach came by seven points and one point. “I saw a lot of great effort from guys. We just didn’t execute well. There was nothing that stuck out on film more than just the lack of execution and the lack of playmaking.”
Rattler, who relieved Jake Haener after a scoreless first half in a loss to the Washington Commanders on Dec. 15, had an interception and lost a fumble against the Packers.
“We’ve got to get rid of those negative plays — for any quarterback,” Rizzi said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re starting your fourth game or your 400th game.”
Both teams were off Wednesday so the players’ statuses were an estimate of what their level of participation would have been for a full practice. Guard Jordan Meredith was the lone Raider listed as a non-participant, while Carr was one of four Saints starters listed that way.
Rizzi said left guard Lucas Patrick (knee) would miss the last two games. Running back Alvin Kamara (groin) and center Erik McCoy (elbow) will be evaluated throughout the week. Wide receiver Chris Olave (head) missed the past six games, but he was listed as a full participant on Wednesday.
