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The Saints have also started slowly after losing a game against the Vikings, and both sides are hoping to get on track. New England is on the road but has the more talented roster and should be favored to win this matchup. New Orleans is hoping to make a playoff push in 2017 and an 0-2 start would not be the way to harbor confidence early on.
This contest in Week 2 of the regular season will go down Sunday, September 17, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Odds Analysis
The Saints played on Monday night so the spread isn’t yet out, but it should be soon. New Orleans often plays well at home, but this is a tough matchup against the defending champions. Look for New England to be favored by a few points, and the scoring total could be really high considering how high-powered each of these offenses can be.
Injury Report
Donta’ Hightower -- The Patriots’ linebacker suffered a minor knee sprain in the season opener and his availability is in doubt for this contest. Hightower is a key piece in the middle of the defense, as New England struggled when he left the game. Watch this one closely.
Willie Snead -- The Saints receiver is suspended for this game, which is a big loss. New Orleans will already be facing its former No. 1 wideout Brandin Cooks, who was traded to the Patriots in the offseason, and without Snead the team is down a couple of big threats. Michael Thomas will be the go-to guy while Ted Ginn slots in as the No. 2 wideout with Snead watching from the sideline.
Danny Amendola -- The Patriots have already lost Julian Edelman for the season due to a torn ACL, and Edelman suffered a head injury against the Chiefs. New England is short on healthy receivers and punt returners, and if Amendola sits out it could hurt the offense.
Key Stat
1. That’s the number of touchdown passes between Tom Brady and Drew Brees in the season opener. Neither star quarterback excelled, which is a surprise considering their long track record of success in the NFL.
Brady finished 16-of-36 passing for 267 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions against the Chiefs, while Brees was 27-of-37 for 291 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings.
Both of those defenses are solid while the Saints and Patriots have less impressive units. Add the domed stadium to the mix and this one could be a shootout. Brady and Brees are both advancing in age and they will likely fall of from their star form eventually, but the opener was just a blip and not a warning sign.
If one of the signal-callers outplays the other significantly, it will give his team a serious leg up in trying to capture the victory.
Free ATS Pick
The Patriots are smarting from a home loss to open the year and it’s hard to fathom them dropping to 0-2. New England’s defense struggled in that game and facing Brees won’t be an antidote. The Saints are going to score their fair share of points, but can they stop New England?
Expect a big bounceback game from Brady as the Patriots should take this one in a shootout. The scoring total is going to be high but the “over” may still be the right play.
NFL Odds: Patriots 34, Saints 30
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