The Commanders entered this game fresh off of a Week 14 bye, while the Saints returned home a bit battered and bruised from their winning road trip vs the NY Giants in which Derek Carr was doubly-injured on a play in which he badly hurt his left (non-throwing) hand and suffered a concussion. Jake Haener started at QB in place of Carr. Also missing from the Saints lineup was their top offensive playmaker, Taysom Hill, who was injured in the game against the Rams and would miss the remainder of the season.
One other significant player who wasn’t in a Saints uniform for this game was cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who was dealt to the Commanders at the trade deadline.