Spencer Rattler Looks To Save Saints’ Season Against Bucs

The New Orleans Saints were one of the pleasant surprises during the first two weeks of the 2024 NFL season. But they’ve fallen on hard times over the past three contests, and their issues have been exacerbated by the loss of starting quarterback Derek Carr. And for their game on Sunday against the division rival Buccaneers, it will be rookie Spencer Rattler who will look to turn things around.

Rattler, Saints Will Take On Buccaneers On Sunday

It has been an interesting road to the league for Rattler. He came into college as one of the top recruits in the nation, with offers from 14 D-1 schools, including Alabama and Miami. He eventually committed to Oklahoma, but fell out of favor when Caleb Williams emerged as the better option for the Sooners. Rattler transferred in 2021 and started the 2022 season as the quarterback for South Carolina.

His numbers in two seasons with the Gamecocks were solid, but not up to the level that many projected Rattler would see in his collegiate career. Instead of being a top NFL prospect, he was instead a 5th round pick during the 2024 Draft. He was the 7th quarterback selected.

Ready or not, he’ll be thrust into action on Sunday for New Orleans. His start comes as something of a surprise, as it was Jake Haener, last year’s late-round pick, who was listed as the #2 QB on the Saints’ depth chart through the first five weeks. Haener has thrown 8 passes in relief so far this year, completing two of them for 17 yards.

New Orleans Listed As 3.5-Point Underdogs

Instead, it will be Rattler who gets the call. It will be an important game for the Saints, who are a game back of both the Buccaneers and Falcons entering the Week 6 action. A loss would mean falling behind Tampa Bay by two full games, which turns into three when you consider the tiebreaker.

The Buccaneers themselves started the season with two wins, but have dropped two of their last three, including a tough divisional loss against Atlanta in Week 5. Tampa has a tough upcoming slate with the Ravens, Falcons, Chiefs, and 49ers on their schedule over the next month, and could use a win over Rattler and the Saints to set themselves up for the taxing run.

As of late Saturday evening, the Buccaneers were listed as 3.5-point favorites for the contest.