Better protection supports Saints starting Jake Haener vs. Commanders

On By Littum

The New Orleans Saints decided to go with Jake Haener to start in their Week 15 game over Spencer Rattler, who started three games the last time Derek Carr went down. This pick was one that many didn’t anticipate given the Rattler’s experience with this offense this season, and would have been presumed as the incumbent.

However, Haener had been listed as no. 2 quarterback for the entire season, while Rattler was listed as the emergency No. 3, so logistically this was the option on paper that had to happen. Beyond that, there might be a statistical precedent for starting Haener in this game over Rattler.

As WWL Radio’s Jeff Nowak notedin the three weeks Spencer Rattler started, opposing teams earned a whopping 16 sacks, more than the five a game average. But in the weeks Derek Carr has started, they have allowed just 8 sacks, half of the total in over three times the games. This was one of the biggest problems for the Saints under Rattler because he had tremendous trouble sensing pressure and getting away from it in time, and with the injuries to the Saints’ offensive line earlier, it made things even more difficult.

Jake Haener may give you the alternative that he will get the ball out quicker and get away from the pressure, but of course we don’t know since his playing time is limited to just 61 total snaps and in those he has taken 3 sacks. Either way, another option at quarterback gives the Saints to try this and just see if it works and test Haener to see what he has in mind.