MNF PREVIEW: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

BY ADAM GREENE

As Monday Night Football match ups go, this one isn’t so bad. The Las Vegas Raiders open up their new Allegiant Stadium digs in Sin City, welcoming the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees, ready to bounce back from a poor performance in their season opener.

Of course, it was a poor performance that came with a win so they can’t feel too bad about it.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (+5.5, O/U: 48.5)

Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.

Kickoff: Sept. 21, 8:15 p.m.

Broadcast: ESPN

THE HISTORY

Considering the Saints have existed since 1967 and the Raiders since 1960, it’s surprising that these two teams have only met up 13 times in that span. They’re dead even in wins, with a 6-6-1 record between them. The tie actually came in their first match up on Nov. 7, 1971, a 21-21 final score.

They last met in 2016 in New Orleans, with the Raiders holding on to a 35-34 shootout win. Jack Del Rio was in command of the then Oakland team that year and they finished 12-4, their last winning season. And if you’re keeping track of your time frames, that means that quarterback Derek Carr has never lost to Drew Brees. We’re going to call that a factoid and see if it holds up.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0)

You can never feel too bad about a victory and, according to the scoreboard, New Orleans dominated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday to the tune of 34-23. But how much of that had to do with the Saints execution and how much with the Bucs floundering around so bad people are already questioning not only Tom Brady’s decision to sign there, but Tampa’s decision to sign him, is anyone’s guess. The games for both teams this weekend will help us figure it out.

Brees was a pedestrian 13 of 30 for 160 yards and two touchdowns, with no picks. More surprising was New Orleans’ nearly non-existent running game. They gained 82 yards and scored a touchdown on the ground as a team. Alvin Kamara rushed 12 times for just 16 yards, though he did catch five passes for 51 yards and combined to score two TDs.

Sean Payton, as he does, decided to “make a point” instead of just win the game, as if that hasn’t literally cost him a trip to the Super Bowl in the past. In doing so, he got wide receiver Michael Thomas hurt blocking on a run play late in the fourth quarter. So he’ll probably be out.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-0)

For their part, the Raiders’ offense played a solid game in their season debut on the road at Carolina. They won a 34-30 shootout, which does not bode well for their defense, as they were facing a depleted Panthers unit which only boasts running back Christian McCaffrey as any star-powered threat.

Derek Carr had a good day, going 22 of 30 for 239 yards and a touchdown. Josh Jacobs likely won many a fantasy football contest thanks to 93 yards and three touchdowns.

THE PICK

While the chess game between Sean Payton and Jon Gruden looks like a mismatch, Chuckey at least will show up to the board with all his pieces. Payton’s hubris in playcalling and running up the score cost him a key weapon and I think that’ll be a problem. I like Vegas in the upset. Raiders 27, Saints 23

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