NFL Week 1 Predictions: Oakland Raiders vs. New Orleans Saints 9/11/16

Raiders vs. Saints Prediction

Will this Sunday's matchup between the Raiders and Saints be high-scoring for bettors at 1:00PM ET?

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Saints are 1.5-point home favorites versus the Raiders on Sunday, while the over/under currently sits at 52 points. Both the side and the total have moved off the original numbers posted by oddsmakers, as New Orleans has gone from -1 to -1.5, and the over/under has moved from 50 up to 52.

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With young talent on both sides of the ball, the Raiders are considered to be a playoff sleeper by many national observers. Derek Carr is heading into his third season as a pro and could be ready for a breakout campaign in 2016. He's surrounded by solid talent in receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, as well as tight end Clive Walford and running back Latavius Murray. The front office also went out and got the best guard on the market in Kelechi Osemele, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens.

Armed with a new contract extrension, quarterback Drew Brees returns to lead what should once again be an explosive New Orleans offense. He has two new weapons to throw to in tight end Coby Fleener (Colts) and rookie receiver Michael Thomas. Wideouts Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead, as well as running backs Mark Ingram and C.J. Spiller both return as well.

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OUR PREDICTION: The Saints should be improved defensively (they can't be any worse, can they?), but those improvements might take time to manifest. The Raiders also have a bunch of good young talent on defense as well, led by  pass-rusher Khalil Mack. But Sunday's game at the Superdome should be high-scoring. The over is 4-0 in the Raiders' last four September games and is 5-0-1 in the Saints' last six home games.

 

NFL WEEK 1 PREDICTION: RAIDERS/SAINTS OVER 52