Las Vegas Raiders vs New Orleans Saints

The Raiders will play their first home game in Las Vegas tonight, coming off a 34-30 win at Carolina in Week 1. QB Derek Carr threw for 239 yards and a touchdown with no picks or sacks, but the big story was Josh Jacobs, who ran for 93 yards and three TDs after finishing 2019 with 1,150 yards and seven scores in 13 games. The Raiders scored on six of their first eight possessions, and the defense made a huge defensive stop with a little more than a minute left in the game. New Orleans defeated Tom Brady and the Buccaneers 34-23, but it came at a cost. All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas suffered a high ankle sprain in the opener and is expected to miss at least one game, possibly more. There are also questions about Saints QB Drew Brees' arm strength. Brees passed for only 160 yards against Tampa Bay, completing just 60-percent of his passes. I'll also note that the Saints were +3 in turnovers last week. Over time, that sort of luck evens out and without the huge advantage, they may still be searching for that first win. The Saints aren't notorious for strong starts, with Sean Payton posting a 13-16 straight-up record in the first two weeks of the season. New Orleans is 1-7 ATS in Week 2 the past eight years, and they are 2-5 ATS their past seven Monday nighters. When coming off a win over a division rival, Payton is just 24-23 on the moneyline for -20.6 units. And the last time these teams met, it was the Raiders pulling out a 35-34 victory. Even without fans, Las Vegas will have the emotional advantage of playing the first game in Allegiant Stadium. Play the Las Vegas Raiders on the money line.

It has been a long time since the Oakland Raiders were even a thought to make the playoffs, but many feel this could be their year to rise to the occasion. Oakland's seven wins a year ago were the third most they have achieved since their last Super Bowl appearance in 2002. The way they finished the season a year ago, I am not so sure. The offense really had things cranking, pushing across 30+ points in four of their first eight games, averaging 26.6 points per game. The last eight were completely different, never scoring more than 24 points and averaging just 18.3 points per game, more than 8 points per game less than the first half of the season. The Saints offense is led by Drew Brees, now 37, and one has to wonder how much is left in the tank. Gone are the offenses than averaged 30+ points a game, but still good at 25 points per game each of the last three years. Could this be the dropoff year? The Saints defense was horrific last year, but Dennis Allen is now in charge, and he has brought in Peter Giunta and Aaron Glenn. The Saints have a deep linebacking core now, which will help, and two of their six draft picks from a year ago missed the season, both defenders. Nick Fairley gives them something they have never had, an inside pass rusher. They also added DT Sheldon Rankins from Louisville with the #12 overall draft pick. Saints offense may not be the star it once was, but the defense will be much better, and the number is too high here. Make the play on the UNDER.