8:15 pm
September 21

Saints @ Raiders

Who will WIN this matchup?

New Orleans Saints (1-0)

@ Las Vegas Raiders (1-0)

 

Current odds:

New Orleans Saints: (-200)

Las Vegas Raiders: (+170)

 

• The line for this game is Saints by 4 points.

• The Raiders make their Las Vegas debut when they host the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. They will christen their brand-new, $2 billion stadium at the same time, but there won’t be any spectators on hand for the historic game. It’s also significant because both teams are 1-0.

• Las Vegas was balanced on offense last week as Derek Carr passed for 239 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions or sacks. The Raiders endured the loss of both right tackles during last week’s game as Trent Brown (calf) was sidelined in the first quarter and Sam Young (groin) in the third quarter. Both players missed practice Thursday, as did two other starting linemen – center Rodney Hudson and guard Richie Incognito — who were not injured but the team is trying to keep the veterans healthy for the duration of the season. Las Vegas hopes the extra day of recovery for the Monday night game allows to line to get healthy. The Saints’ defensive line features five-time Pro Bowl end Cameron Jordan in a defense that sacked Tom Brady three times and intercepted him twice last week in spoiling Brady’s debut with Tampa Bay, 34-23.

• The Raiders’ defense likely won’t have to contend with Saints All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas, who missed practice Thursday because of an ankle injury. Coach Sean Payton wouldn’t comment on Thomas’ status, but the receiver reportedly will miss multiple games. Even with Thomas available for virtually the entire game last week, Drew Brees passed for just 160 yards, though he had two touchdowns and no interceptions. The apparent loss of Thomas could create more opportunities for former 49ers receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who had three catches for 15 yards and a touchdown in his New Orleans debut last week. Last season the Saints went 5-0 when Brees was sidelined and 2-0 when top running back Alvin Kamara was sidelined.

• The absence of spectators in Las Vegas won’t be new for the Saints. There were no spectators in the Superdome last week.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
New Orleans Saints
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