Do you want to watch one of the most exciting games of Week 1 of the NFL regular season? Tune in for expected fireworks between the Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints. The game is a pick-’em and has the highest-placed over-under total among all opening weekend matchups, meaning is could be high scoring and very competitive.
The Raiders are hoping to show their revamped squad is good enough to contend for the playoffs, and a road win here would be a nice first step.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 1 game is set for Sunday, September 11, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at the Superdome.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Odds Analysis
This game is a pick-’em and the spread looks to be set perfectly as there is an even split on gamblers choosing New Orleans and Oakland.
Even though the scoring total is the aforementioned highest in the league, bettors are still hitting the “over” at a rate of 71 percent. The Saints and Raiders both have high-powered offenses and New Orleans has a very suspect defense, leading to the expected shootout.
Injury Report
Mario Edwards -- The Raiders’ second-year defensive end hurt his hip in the first preseason game and is expected to miss several weeks. He was an early second-round draft pick but won’t be able to get after Drew Brees in this one.
Terron Armstead -- The Saints’ left tackle has been sidelined for stretches this preseason with an undisclosed injury but professes to be ready for this opener. That’s important, as the team has question marks at several spots on its offensive line and must adequately protect Brees.
Matchup to Watch
Saints offense vs. Raiders defense -- Oakland re-tooled its defense this offseason after allowing 24.9 points per game, which was in the lower third of the NFL. Bruce Irvin was added at outside linebacker, Sean Smith at cornerback and Reggie Nelson at safety in free agency, while Karl Joseph was a high draft pick and is expected to start at safety.
The revamped secondary will get an immediate test against Brees, who led the NFL in passing yards a season ago. New Orleans returns Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead as his main weapons and signed tight end Coby Fleener in free agency while drafting Michael Thomas to add another pass-catcher.
While the Saints’ defense is porous, the team can stay in the game if the offense can move up and down the field at will. The Raiders hope that won’t be the case, and the best way to slow down Brees is to pressure him with star outside linebacker Khalil Mack and Irvin.
Free ATS Pick
If the Raiders have truly taken a step forward like most people believe, this is a game they should win. Derek Carr made nice strides in his second year in the league and has a dynamic outside weapon in Amari Cooper.
Oakland was upgraded this offseason and could make a big statement with a victory. The Saints, meanwhile, are trying to stay relevant as they have dropped from the perennial contender of the past.
The roster isn’t great, but having a standout quarterback like Brees still helps matters. He is getting older but is still putting up big numbers and has the ability to keep his team in games. However, the defense is so bad it will be an uphill battle to make the playoffs this year.
The Raiders are the pick to escape with a road win. The “over” is the best wager in this matchup, as there is little reason why both offenses can’t get off to fast starts in their season openers.
NFL Odds: Raiders 30, Saints 24
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