Week 3 is upon us and the Saints make their home debut against the Las Vegas Raiders. This matchup against the Raiders should be an interesting one as both teams are trying to prove they are capable of being more than just being competitive and plucky this season. Saints fans should recognize Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak from his time with the team in 2024. He has the Raiders off to a good start with a 2-0 record with wins against the Dolphins and Chargers respectively. Meanwhile the Saints are coming into this game with a 1-1 record after a thrilling, comeback win against the Baltimore Ravens last weekend. Here is what we should expect to see in this game.

The Raiders are expecting the return of tight end Brock Bowers for this game if everything checks out in pre game warmups and his presence will make defending the Raiders even more challenging. Brock Bowers is one of the best at his position and is capable of making a big play on any down. Brandon Staley will have his hands full this week trying to slow him down. Brock Bowers’ presence alone will help boost the Raiders offense who likes to be balanced in running the ball and utilizing play action to take shots down the field. The Raiders have talented running back Ashton Jeanty who is looking to have a bounce back campaign after not having the rookie season he was expecting. If the Saints are able to slow down Bowers and Jeanty they will give themselves a good chance to win on defense. 

On offense the Saints will look to continue their success passing the ball but improve their production running the ball against the Raiders. The Saints currently rank near the top of most team passing metrics and rank among the worst in most team rushing metrics. The Saints have to start running the ball better given all the investments made to be able to do so on the team. The Raiders however are showing a much improved defensive unit so far this season after the additions they made in free agency and the draft. But the main player the Saints will need to keep in check is Max Crosby. Crosby can absolutely be a game wrecker if not planned accordingly. With the injury to Kelvin Banks the Saints will have to tread lightly in how they account for Crosby. 

Before the season started when looking at the schedule I highlighted this game as a favorable stretch of games for the Saints based on how the previous season went for some of these teams. But early in the season you quickly get a sense of who is legit and who is not and we are starting to approach that point in the coming weeks. So far the Saints have been about what I expected after two tough games against the Lions and Ravens. If they want to continue the momentum they have been building these last two games, putting pressure on the opposing team by putting the ball in the endzone in the first half would be a good place to start. Preferably by being productive running the ball. Comeback victories are thrilling and enjoyable but you cannot play winning football by needing a comeback in every game you play. Let’s see if the Saints can get off to a better start and make those improvements this weekend against the Raiders. 

Raiders Injury Report

Brock Bowers (TE) - Questionable

Aidan O’Connell (QB) - Questionable

Treydan Stukes - (DB) - Out

Kwity Paye (Edge) - Questionable

Saints Injury Report

Barion Brown (WR&RS) - Out

Martin Emerson (CB) - Questionable

Christen Miller (DT) - Out