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If you were looking for a high-stakes shootout when the New Orleans Saints hosted the Las Vegas Raiders in late 2024, you probably walked away a bit confused. Or maybe just frustrated. Honestly, by Week 17, both these teams were basically playing for pride and draft positioning. It wasn’t exactly the "Game of the Century." But for those of us watching the saints vs raiders 2024 matchup on December 29, there was plenty of weirdness to unpack.
New Orleans was coming off a rough stretch, and the Raiders weren't exactly world-beaters either. Both teams entered the building with identical 4-11 or 5-11-ish vibes. In the end, Las Vegas walked out with a 25-10 victory. It wasn't just the score, though. It was how it happened. Total yards? 388 for Vegas. Only 269 for the Saints. That tells a lot of the story right there.
The Spencer Rattler Experience and That One Trick Play
Derek Carr didn't start this game. That was the first big headline. Instead, we got the Spencer Rattler show. He finished 20-of-36 for 218 yards, which sounds... fine? But the two interceptions really hurt. You've got to feel for a rookie trying to find his rhythm in a collapsing season.
However, the highlight of the entire day—maybe of the Saints' late season—was a bizarre throwback trick play. Rattler found tight end Foster Moreau for a 30-yard touchdown in the second quarter. It was creative. It was unexpected. It gave the Superdome crowd a reason to wake up. For a second, it felt like New Orleans might actually snatch this one away.
But then the reality of 2024 set back in.
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How the Raiders Ground it Out
Las Vegas didn't need a miracle play. They just needed Ameer Abdullah and Aidan O'Connell to be efficient. Abdullah was a workhorse, racking up 115 yards on 20 carries. He basically lived in the Saints' secondary all afternoon. O'Connell wasn't flashy, but 242 yards and two touchdowns with zero picks? That wins games in the NFL.
Key Stats from the Matchup
- Time of Possession: Raiders held the ball for nearly 38 minutes. The Saints? Barely 22.
- Third Down Efficiency: Vegas was moving the chains; New Orleans was stalling.
- Penalties: The Saints shot themselves in the foot with 10 penalties for 85 yards. You can't win like that.
Brock Bowers continued his ridiculous rookie campaign too. He caught 7 passes for 77 yards. In this specific game, he actually broke the single-season receiving yardage record for rookie tight ends. Watching him play is like watching a veteran who has been in the league ten years. He's just always open.
The Defensive Stand That Wasn't
Cam Jordan had a vintage moment, recording a sack during a goal-line stand that momentarily kept the Saints in it. But the New Orleans defense was gassed. When you're on the field for almost 40 minutes, your legs go. Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker both found the end zone for the Raiders, effectively icing the game while the Saints' offense went cold in the second half.
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New Orleans didn't score a single point in the third or fourth quarters. Not one.
The injury bug didn't help. Kendre Miller, the young Saints back everyone wanted to see more of, left early with a concussion. It felt like every time the Saints got a little momentum, something—a penalty, an injury, or a turnover—snatched it back.
Saints vs Raiders 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of people looked at the saints vs raiders 2024 box score and assumed it was just two bad teams playing bad football. That's a bit of a lazy take. While the records weren't great, the Raiders under Antonio Pierce showed a physical identity that actually gave fans a glimpse of their future. They played "bully ball."
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On the flip side, for New Orleans, this game was the final confirmation that the Darren Rizzi era—as an interim—had hit a ceiling. The roster was aging, the quarterback situation was a massive question mark, and the lack of discipline was glaring.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the Trenches: If you go back and watch the film, the Raiders' offensive line completely controlled the line of scrimmage. That's why Abdullah had such a big day.
- The Bowers Factor: If you're a fantasy manager or just a fan of the game, Brock Bowers is the real deal. His usage in this game shows he's already the focal point of that offense.
- Draft Priority: For Saints fans, this game screamed "Offensive Line and Playmaker." Relying on trick plays for your only touchdown isn't a sustainable business model.
The 25-10 final score was a fair reflection of where these two franchises were at the end of December. One was finding a tough, physical identity; the other was searching for a new direction entirely. It wasn't the prettiest game in Superdome history, but it was a loud reminder of how quickly things change in the NFL.
If you're tracking the fallout of this season, keep a close eye on the Saints' coaching search and the Raiders' attempt to solidify their QB room. This game was the exclamation point on a season of "what ifs" for both squads.