New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson led the team in receptions, targets, and yards in Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Johnson had six catches for 66 yards on 10 targets, establishing new season-highs in each category. His big day could have been a lot bigger had it not been for some miscues. Johnson dropped Spencer Rattler's first pass of the game which would have resulted in a 20-yard gain. Late in the second quarter, Johnson caught a 40-yard pass on the goal line but the play was negated by a holding penalty at the line. Finally, Johnson's own offensive pass interference penalty wiped out a 16-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Injuries have robbed the Saints of several playmakers for much of the season but until today Johnson has had little to show for his constant presence. He should remain a top target in Week 18 assuming New Orleans keeps Chris Olave (concussion) and Alvin Kamara (groin) on the sideline for the season finale.

New Orleans Saints running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire led the team in carries in Sunday's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Edwards-Helaire needed just five rushing attempts to accomplish the feat in a game where New Orleans all but abandoned the ground game, calling just four run plays in the entire second half. He finished with five carries for 20 yards and caught two of his four targets for 10 receiving yards. Cut by the Chiefs on December 16 and claimed by the Saints two days later, New Orleans elevated the four-year veteran from the practice squad on Saturday after listing Alvin Kamara (groin) out the day before. CEH was involved nearly as much as starter Kendre Miller (head) before Miller left the game in the second quarter due to a possible concussion. Up to that point, Edwards-Helaire had seen five snaps to Miller's seven and three touches to Miller's four. If Miller is forced to miss Week 18 and Kamara doesn't return for a meaningless season finale, Edwards-Helaire could draw the start against the Buccaneers.

It was a tale of two halves for New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler in Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Before halftime, Rattler was 11-for-13 with his only incompletions being a drop on his first pass attempt of the game and a throwaway at the end of the second quarter. In the second half, he completed just nine of his 23 pass attempts, threw two interceptions, and was sacked three times. His final result for the day was a 20-for-36 effort for 218 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Rattler also led the Saints in rushing yards with 46 on three carries. Rattler's lone touchdown pass came on a trick play at the start of the second quarter that culminated in a 30-yard bomb to tight end Foster Moreau. He nearly had another long score later in the second quarter, but a holding penalty negated his 40-yard pass to Juwan Johnson. If Derek Carr (hand) is held out of the Saints' season finale then Rattler will likely get the start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks led the team in all receiving metrics in the Week 17 blowout loss against Philadelphia. Cooks was targeted eight times, securing four catches for 52 yards. The veteran led the way with CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) on the shelf, and should remain the top receiving option for Dallas heading into Week 18 against Washington. Cooks now has 192 yards and three touchdowns on the season in just eight games after missing a good chunk of the season due to a knee injury. The veteran's contract is up following this season, so Week 18 could be his final game as a Cowboy.

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He finishes the game with three carries for three yards and one catch for 16 yards on one target. The only two running backs on the depth chart for the rest of this game are Jamaal Williams and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Miller's status is up in the air now for their Week 18 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.