Saints at Raiders Betting Preview: Saints (-230), Raiders (+195)
New Orleans Saints Week 2
The Saints answered the bell in their 34-23 season-opening victory over Tom Brady and the new-look Buccaneers on Sunday, however they are now left with questions heading into their Week 2 tilt. Michael Thomas reportedly is expected to miss several weeks with an ankle injury, however coach Sean Payton said Thursday that he ruled out the Pro Bowl wide receiver versus Las Vegas.
Drew Brees (160 yards, two TDs) will need to rely on Alvin Kamara even more in both the running and passing game for a Saints team that mustered just 271 total yards against Tampa Bay. Kamara had a rushing and receiving score versus the Buccaneers while former Raiders running back Latavius Murray and versatile Taysom Hill will keep defenses honest with a punishing ground attack.
With Thomas likely a spectator, offseason acquisition Emmanuel Sanders will need to assume the No. 1 wideout role for New Orleans. Sanders found the end zone in his Saints debut and former Raiders tight end Jared Cook had a team-leading 80 yards receiving.
Las Vegas Raiders for Week 2
Josh Jacobs aims to christen his team’s new $1.9 billion, state-of-art domed stadium after rushing for three touchdowns in Las Vegas’ 34-30 win over Carolina in the season opener. Jacobs became the first Raider to accomplish the feat since Murray in 2016.
Jacobs added 46 receiving yards from Derek Carr, who completed 73.3 percent of his passes (22 of 30) for an economical 239 yards and a score versus the Panthers. Tight end Darren Waller had a team-high six catches last Sunday while first-round rookie wideout Henry Ruggs III had 55 receiving yards in his debut.
Kicker Daniel Carlson received his second AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor of his career after successfully making all six of his attempts (two field goals, four extra points), including a 54-yard field goal. The Raiders did not have a takeaway last week and forced an NFL second-worst 15 turnovers last season.
Saints at Raiders Betting Pick for Week 2
While the Saints’ prolific offense reportedly will be missing a key cog, their better-than-advertised defense likely will grab its share of the spotlight after keeping Brady in check in the season opener.
Cornerback Janoris Jenkins had nine tackles and a 36-yard pick-six in the season opener, boosting his total to eight scores in his career. The opportunistic Saints will keep Carr in park while the Raiders go broke in Vegas on Monday night.
Saints at Raiders Betting Pick:
Saints 26, Raiders 20
Saints at Raiders Best Bet for Week 2
A key injury to monitor is the health of Las Vegas linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski, who likely will be responsible for keeping tabs on Kamara out of the backfield. Kwiatkoski sustained an ailing pectoral muscle in the season opener, an injury that ended his day on Sunday but one that he has reportedly played through previously.
Kamara likely will be asked to do more — and the Saints paid him handsomely to do so — but the numbers may not add up Monday.
Saints at Raiders Best Bet: UNDER 49.5 total points (-110)
