Prior to the season, Las Vegas Raiders fans had their matchup with the New Orleans Saints highlighted.
There was no vaunted history between the two teams, or any bad blood that could boil over. Even now, the 3-12 Raiders and 5-10 Saints does not register as a marquee matchup.
However, the Saints do have someone who adds a built-in storyline against the Raiders: quarterback Derek Carr.
This was to be Carr’s first game against his former team since the Raiders released him in 2023. Depending on the result, Carr would be the first team to either earn a victory or defeat against all 32 NFL teams.
However, a fractured hand two weeks ago against the New York Giants cast doubt on Carr’s availability, and the NFL world was left to wonder if they would ever get to see Carr try to get his revenge.
Interested fans, however, received a Christmas miracle when the Saints suggested their starting quarterback would play against the Raiders.
“The way he’s attacked the rehab and the PT and all that has been impressive, and you know, with the want-to and the desire to get back and play … if he’s able to do it then we’ll do it,” Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said on Carr’s availability.
While Carr did not practice on Wednesday, the plan is still to test him physically and see how he holds up after his injury.
The news is certainly welcome for the Saints, as neither second-year quarterback Jake Haener or rookie Spencer Rattler did much against the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers, respectively.
If Carr is unable to go, Rattler will be the starter against the Raiders on Sunday. After being shut out against the Packers, Rattler would enter the matchup against the Raiders with something to prove.
“There were certainly some highs and lows,” Rizzi said of Rattler. “We’ve got to get rid of those negative plays, for any quarterback, it doesn’t matter if you’re starting your fourth game or your 400th game.”
Whether it’s Carr or Rattler drawing the start, the Raiders will be forced to go up against a hungry quarterback. It is something they will have to heavily account for if they wish to win consecutive games for the first time this season.
