New Orleans Saints at Las Vegas Raiders: 3 Things to watch in Week 2

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 11: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after his team defeated the New Orleans 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: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after his team defeated the New Orleans 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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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 13: Maurice Hurst #73 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts after sacking quarterback Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Las Vegas won 34-30. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 13: Maurice Hurst #73 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts after sacking quarterback Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Las Vegas won 34-30. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Saints at Las Vegas Raiders: 3 Things to watch in Week 2

Pressure From the Defensive Line

Week 1 seem to provide Teddy Bridgewater with all the time in the world to pass when he dropped back. Throwing for 270 yards on 22/34 and one touchdown, it seemed as if he was just outside the clutches of the Raiders defensive line, or in most cases, untouched and unbothered.

We did see Mo Hurst and Carl Nassib combine for the only sack the defense obtained, but outside of that, and a questionable no call holding on Maxx Crosby, the Raiders were non existent in the pocket.

Going against a better and more seasoned quarterback in Drew Brees this week, that just simply wont due. With the defensive line being one of the stronger groups on the Raiders defense, they need to be able to create constant pressure on Brees and not let him get in a rhythm. The combination of Mo Hurst and Maliek Collins in the middle, along with Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell on the outside, can and should give the Saints offense a hard time this week.

No one will benefit more from a successful pass rush then the secondary though. As mentioned earlier, they are catching a break with an injury to Michael Thomas. Add in Brees having to get rid of the ball quickly, and not being able to go through his progressions, and you’ve got the recipe for success this defense needs, to try and limit an offense that can be very explosive.