New Orleans Saints at Las Vegas Raiders: Game preview and prediction

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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Raiders Josh Jacobs
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Saints at Las Vegas Raiders: Game preview and prediction

Prediction

With everything that was said about the Saints, it is probably the general thought that the Saints will blow the Raiders out. The Saints are better at just about every position, as is the case with the Saints against most teams, they likely have the coaching advantage, and they are the more experienced team.

So, how will the Raiders be able to make this a competitive game?

One big piece in the game will be the absence of Michael Thomas from the Saints. The team will have to look other places to make big plays, which will likely mean seeing a lot of Jared Cook, Emmanuel Sanders, and Alvin Kamara.

Another thing that may drive the Raiders to victory is the hype of playing in their new stadium, as players like Derek Carr and Rodney Hudson have been playing their home games on a dirt baseball field for years. Although this may not seem like a good reason for victory, Coach Gruden will have this team fired up to win for Vegas, as this day is something that a lot of these players have been waiting for for a long time.

4 Saints the Las Vegas Raiders should worry about in Week 2. dark. Next

Overall, I believe Las Vegas will be able to compete early on, as Coach Gruden is one of the best coaches in the league when it comes to the first half. Eventually, the Saints will make the adjustments needed to take control of the game, as I expect a big game from Kamara on offense, and the run defense of the Saints to be the biggest differences in the game.

Prediction- Saints 31, Raiders 17