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The Commanders’ Jer’Zhan Newton was the highest-rated player in the win over the Saints

Posted on by Taylor Reeves
The Commanders’ Jer’Zhan Newton was the highest-rated player in the win over the Saints

December 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) fights against Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

December 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) fights against Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The Washington Commanders shouldn’t have had a single problem defeating the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, but they barely managed to eke out a 20-19 victory after failing to score a single point in the fourth quarter.

It was far from their best performance and after a bye many expected more from the Commanders. Jayden Daniels struggled and although he fumbled the ball once, he was fortunate that Jeremy McNichols fell on it to prevent a turnover. But Daniels led the game on the ground with just 66 yards against a Saints team that has the sixth-worst run defense in the NFL.

In fact, the Saints also have the fourth-worst pass defense in the NFL and the Commanders haven’t taken advantage of that.

However, the Commanders’ playoff hopes are still very much alive, so let’s take a look at the best and worst players from this win, as ranked by Pro Football Focus.

Top 5 offenses

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) reacts to a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesWashington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) reacts to a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) reacts to a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Bottom 5 attack

December 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (14) is injured while tackling Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott (82) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesDecember 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (14) is injured while tackling Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott (82) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

December 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (14) is injured while tackling Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott (82) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Top 5 defense

December 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil (0) and defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste (90) celebrate a failed New Orleans Saints attempt at a two-point conversion as time expires at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesDecember 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil (0) and defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste (90) celebrate a failed New Orleans Saints attempt at a two-point conversion as time expires at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

December 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil (0) and defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste (90) celebrate a failed New Orleans Saints attempt at a two-point conversion as time expires at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

  • DT Jer’Zhan Newton (75.1)

  • CB Mike Sainristil (71.4)

  • CB Marshon Lattimore (71.1)

  • LB Bobby Wagner (71.1)

  • DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste (69.8)

Defending the bottom 5

December 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener (3) is hit by Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (4) as he releases the ball during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesDecember 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener (3) is hit by Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (4) as he releases the ball during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

December 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener (3) is hit by Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (4) as he releases the ball during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Other notable notes

December 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) catches a pass and is tackled by New Orleans Saints safety Ugo Amadi (0) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesDecember 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) catches a pass and is tackled by New Orleans Saints safety Ugo Amadi (0) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

December 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) catches a pass and is tackled by New Orleans Saints safety Ugo Amadi (0) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory attribution: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

  • RB Brian Robinson Jr. (61.1)

  • TE Luke McCaffrey (57.9)

  • RB Chris Rodriguez (57.3)

  • DE Jalyn Holmes (68.9)

  • DE Dorance Armstrong (61.9)

  • S Jeremy Chinn (59.0)

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders’ Jer’Zhan Newton is the highest-rated player in the win over the Saints

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