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Tonight: NFL football! We’ve got a great game on tap: a divisional battle between the 2-3 49ers and 3-2 Seahawks at 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime. To prep, you can find our full preview here.
The Athletic’s Power Rankings inspired today’s check-in, but let’s start with the big Saints news:
What Dianna’s Hearing: It’s Rattler in New Orleans
With Derek Carr expected to miss multiple weeks with an oblique tear, the New Orleans Saints are turning to third-string rookie Spencer Rattler.
They made the decision to go with Rattler instead of Jake Haener because of Rattler’s standout performance during the preseason. Over three games, he finished 20-for-38 passing for 202 yards and a touchdown.
New Orleans has two games over the next eight days (the Bucs on Sunday and the Broncos next Thursday night), and head coach Dennis Allen is confident that Rattler will play loose and stay composed as the Saints search for a spark after losing three straight.
Back to you, Jacob.
Spencer Rattler: Day-two talent, fifth-round pick
Two things you should know before Rattler’s debut:
History is not on his side. Of the 32 quarterbacks to be drafted in the fifth round since 2004, none became long-term starters. Sam Howell’s recent one-year-stint in Washington might be the ceiling.
But this isn’t your typical fifth-round pick. Rattler has talent — he has been working with a private quarterbacks coach since age 10 — and initially started ahead of Caleb Williams at Oklahoma, where Rattler was the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy in 2021. In this year’s edition of “The Beast” by Dane Brugler, Rattler had a third-round grade.
None of that matters on Sunday, as the 24-year-old’s first NFL start comes against a Tampa Bay defense that plays zone coverage at the league’s second-highest clip (78.3 percent). Worth knowing, because Rattler is better against man-to-man. I’m hopeful, but not optimistic.
Changing Fates: While some contenders struggle …
Early this morning, I checked the 2025 Super Bowl odds on BetMGM, expecting to see some change to reflect recent losses by the 2-3 49ers, 3-2 Bills and 2-2 Eagles. A quick review of their opening odds — from February — told me that the regular season has so far meant little for these perennial favorites, who are a combined .500:
- 49ers: Opened +500 (second). Currently +750 (tied for second).
- Bills: Opened +1200 (tied for fourth). Currently +1100 (tied for fifth).
- Eagles: Opened +1600 (tied for seventh). Currently +1500 (eighth).
Faith in the 1-4 Bengals (dropped from sixth to 13th) and 2-3 Dolphins (from ninth to tied for 22nd), however, is nearly gone. Rightfully so.
With the negative is out of the way, some contrast:
Four teams are on 3-0 win streaks …
5-0 Chiefs: It’s all about Chris Jones, Steve Spagnuolo and their defense. They’re smothering opponents on the ground, allowing just 88.4 rushing yards per game, along with the fifth-fewest points. Encouragingly, despite losing Rashee Rice for four months, their offense is trending up after their best performance of the season in Week 5 against a strong Saints defense.
- Opened +750 (first).
- Currently +500 (first).
5-0 Vikings: Again, it starts with the defense. Brian Flores’ unit ranks first in DVOA despite facing a gauntlet of Brock Purdy, C.J. Stroud, Jordan Love and Aaron Rodgers. That’s masked Sam Darnold’s up-and-down season, which Alec Lewis explains is also “helped immensely by an efficient running game, solid pass protection, receivers who can separate and a play caller who can adapt on the fly.”
- Opened +4000 (tied for 15th).
- Currently: +1200 (seventh).
4-1 Commanders: The vibes are high in Washington, where Jayden Daniels leads the first rookie-quarterbacked team since 1970 to top 150 points through its opening five games. Meanwhile, Dan Quinn continues to quietly improve their defense. If they beat Baltimore this week, expect these odds to jump again:
- Opened: +15000 (tied for 27th).
- Currently: +3500 (tied for 13th).
3-2 Broncos: Yet again, it’s defense. Patrick Surtain II is making a strong case for DPOY. They are tied for second in points allowed (14.6) and third in defensive success rate (64.6 percent) and sack percentage (10.8). The current win streak is fueled by that defense and a return to form for Javonte Williams, plus limiting turnovers — Bo Nix hasn’t thrown an interception since their Week 2 loss.
- Opened: +10000 (26th).
- Currently: +10000 (tied for 22nd).
The Hot Seat: Which coach is next?
After the Jets stunned the NFL by firing Robert Saleh, The Athletic’s Mike Jones dove deep into six coaches on the hot seat, while Mike Sando showed into why it’s all about the owners.
Three coaches in the always-entertaining NFC East are mentioned in both:
Nick Sirianni: The Eagles are a miserable 3-8 since their 10-1 start last season. Despite new coordinators on both sides of the ball, both of whom are realistic interim candidates, Sirianni is not getting results. Jones: “If GM Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie fired Doug Pederson just three seasons after his Super Bowl victory, how much leeway is there for Sirianni?”
Brian Daboll: In year one, the Giants coach went 9-7-1 and made the playoffs — before a 6-11, injury-plagued collapse last season. While those struggles have carried over into this season, as Sando writes, “Jones’ improved play of late and solid contributions from the Giants’ rookie draft class helped the team win two of its past three, which maybe wasn’t the best thing for Saleh.”
Mike McCarthy: Despite Dallas’ 3-2 record, the contract-year coach should last until 2025 — Jerry Jones won’t fire a coach mid-season — but, as Mike Jones writes, “if Dallas can’t survive a tough upcoming stretch against Detroit, San Francisco, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Houston and Washington, the temperature of McCarthy’s seat certainly will rise.”
For the full list of coaches on the hot seat, click here.
Surprising stat: Interception leaders
Levis, Richardson and … Mahomes?
That’s the list of quarterbacks with a league-leading six interceptions. Though Mahomes has played an extra game, it’s still shocking to see him leading the same category as Levis (who sports a 27.3 QBR, second-worst among starters) and Richardson (who is completing a league-low 50.6 percent of his passes).
2024 Interception Leaders
For more on the struggles from this year’s quarterbacks, particularly Deshaun Watson, read The Athletic’s Week 6 QB Stock Report.
Around the NFL
Colts WR Micheal Pittman could miss multiple weeks with a back injury. He’s a candidate for the IR.
Raiders WR (and trade candidate) Davante Adams is expected to miss their Week 6 game against Pittsburgh, a game when Aidan O’Connell will start.
Giants pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux will be out for the “foreseeable future” after undergoing wrist surgery. A typical timeline for his injury is four to six weeks.
Yesterday’s most-clicked: Throwback! Dianna and Zack Rosenblatt’s January bombshell on why “It’s just such a f—ing mess” in New York.
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(Photo: Justin Edmonds / Getty Images)
