NEW ORLEANS — A second-half switch under center nearly sparked a victorious comeback against former LSU Tiger Jayden Daniels and his visiting Washington Commanders (9-5) on Sunday, but a gamble to go for 2-points instead of one didn't pay off for the Saints in a heartbreaking 20-19 loss.
Rookie Spencer Rattler relieved second-year quarterback Jake Haener, who started in place of an injured Derek Carr, and rallied the Saints from a 17-0 deficit in the third quarter to within one point of tying the game with no time remaining.
However, interim head coach Darren Rizzi's decision to opt for a two-point conversion over a traditional extra point kick failed to deny the Saints (5-9) its fourth win in five games.
Here's what media from around the nation is saying:
- Daniels passes for 2 TDs and Commanders outlast Saints 20-19 on New Orleans' failed 2-point try – Brett Martel, Associated Press
- Saints coach Darren Rizzi disagrees with a call that led to a Commanders TD – Rashad Milligan, NOLA.com
- Saints nearly pull off a stunner, but fall short to Commanders after Spencer Rattler replaces Jake Haener – Matthew Paras, NOLA.com
- Jeff Duncan: What we've learned from Saints' heartbreaking loss to Commanders – Jeff Duncan, Times-Picayune
- Commanders survive late rally by Saints to hang on for a 20-19 win – Bill Horgan, HogsHaven.com
- Saints RB Alvin Kamara left the Commanders game with an injury. Here's the latest – Rashad Milligan, NOLA.com
- Alvin Kamara injury update: Saints RB injures groin in game vs. Commanders – Tom Viera, USA Today
- Cedrick Wilson and Alvin Kamara connected on one of the best plays of the Saints' season – Spencer Urquhart, NOLA.com
- Saints bench Jake Haener, go back to Spencer Rattler – Katherine Terrell, ESPN
- How Saints QB Jake Haener fared in his NFL starting debut vs. the Commanders – Rashad Milligan, NOLA.com
- Cam Jordan praises coaching change after 8-sack performance – Jeremy Trottier, Saints Wire
- Jayden Daniels showed why he's a budding NFL star by improbably avoiding Saints sacks – Rashad Milligan, NOLA.com
- Commanders QB Jayden Daniels swapped jerseys with an LSU baseball legend prior to Saints game – Spencer Urquhart, NOLA.com
Washington Commanders Defeat the New Orleans Saints 20-19 and Secure First Winning Season Since 2015
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