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Las Vegas Raiders 2020 Opponent Review: New Orleans Saints

By Khaled Abdallah

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 11: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints congratulates Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders after the Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 11, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 11: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints congratulates Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders after the Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 11, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Michael Crabtree (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Michael Crabtree (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

How the Raiders Will Win

This prime time matchup with the Saints is just the beginning of the toughest stretch of the Raiders 2020 schedule and aside is the biggest game of the first quarter of the season.  Conference games are worth more in terms of playoff seeding but if the Raiders are able to successfully manage their first big test of the season it could do wonders for the team’s confidence moving forward.

So how do the Raiders pull off the upset against one of the powerhouse teams in the NFL? There are two ways to defeat this Saints team as we saw in 2019, disrupt their passing game with an incredible pass rush the way the Falcons did with seven sacks in Week 10, or beat them in a shootout like the 49ers did in Week 14.

The Raiders offense was above average in 2019 but it will take some time for the new faces to mesh with QB Derek Carr especially in this abbreviated offseason so the hopes of the Raiders will be on the shoulders of the run game and the improved defense.

Next. Toughest stretch of the Raiders 2020 schedule. dark

The Raiders will need to control the clock with Josh Jacobs and the massive offensive line and the defense will need to harness the energy of Allegiant Stadium to disrupt the precise Saints offense. This is of course assuming fans will be allowed to attend this massive game but if they are permitted, expect a rowdy crowd of Raider fans there to open their new home.  In 2016 the Raiders set the tone for the season with a dramatic victory over the Saints and with the help of their fans will look to do the same in 2020.

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