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5 things to know about Washington-Saints heading into Week 5

Bryan Manning
·4 min read

The Washington Football Team returns to FedEx Field in Week 5 to host the New Orleans Saints.

This is the first time head coach Ron Rivera will meet his longtime rivals as the head coach of Washington. Both teams enter Sunday’s meeting with identical 2-2 records. However, Washington desperately needs a win as it begins a critical stretch in Week 6 with games against the Chiefs, Packers, Broncos and Buccaneers.

Here are five things you should know about Sunday’s Week 5 game between Washington and the New Orleans Saints:

Ron Rivera vs. Sean Payton

Oct 30, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton with Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera after the game. The Saints defeated the Panthers 28-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

When Rivera was with the Carolina Panthers, he saw plenty of the New Orleans Saints and head coach Sean Payton. Payton has the edge over Rivera in head-to-head action, with a 12-7 mark. However, this is the first time these coaches will meet without Drew Brees or Cam Newton under center.

Washington is better on offense, Saints better on defense

Oct 3, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) prepares to hand the ball off against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Through four games, Washington is averaging 343 total yards per game and scoring 25.3 points per game. Meanwhile, the Saints, long known for being one of the best offensive teams in the NFL, are averaging 276.8 yards and 23.5 points per game.

On defense, where Washington was expected to be one of the best in the NFL, and instead is one of the worst. The Saints allow 349 yards per game and 17.3 points per contest. Washington’s struggling defense allows an average of 417.5 yards per game and is one of three NFL teams to allow 30 points or more per game.

Saints will play two quarterbacks

Sep 26, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) throws a pass against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

It’s rare you see an NFL team play two quarterbacks each week. The Saints are the rarity, as Jameis Winston is the starter and Taysom Hill is the backup/gimmick quarterback. Hill receives snaps every week, and in last week’s game against the Giants, he scored two rushing touchdowns.

Winston’s efficiency has improved working under Payton, but he has yet to throw for more than 226 yards. Could that change on Sunday?

Injuries could play a major factor in this game

Sep 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas (82) catches a touchdown pass over Los Angeles Chargers safety Nasir Adderley (24) in the third quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Washington will be without starting tight end Logan Thomas, who was placed on injured reserve earlier this week. Washington was without three of its six wide receivers in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, to make matters worse. Right guard Brandon Scherff is out 2-3 weeks.

Several other players, such as defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and running back Antonio Gibson, were limited in practice the first two days.

This week, the Saints could also be without two of its top offensive linemen in tackle Terron Armstead and center Erik McCoy.

The Saints have won the past 2 meetings

Nov 19, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) is pressured by New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won, 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Washington leads the all-time series, 17-10, but the Saints have won the two previous meetings. The last meeting, in 2018, saw New Orleans blow out Washington, 43-18.

When the two teams met in 2017, it was one of the more fun games of that season as Washington had control of the game, leading 31-16 midway through the fourth quarter but lost in overtime.

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