Saints 2023 Week 1 Preview
New Orleans Saints take on the Tennessee Titans
With the 2023 preseason wrapped up, Week 1 of the NFL regular season is slated to open Thursday with a matchup between the Detroit Lions and defending Super Bowl champions, Kansas City Chiefs. For those Saints fans excited about the new year, they’ll have to wait until the weekend to see the new and improved roster take the field.
The Matchup:
New Orleans will begin their campaign with a home opener against Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans. The game will be broadcast nationally from the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at noon CST on CBS. Both of these squads disappointed in 2022, each finishing with a 7-10 record and missing out on the playoffs. Week 1 will serve as a springboard to the victor in this matchup for a successful rest of the season.
Series History:
The first matchup between the two teams dates back to 1971 when the then-Houston Oilers and Saints finished in a 13-all tie. Tennessee currently leads the all-time play with a 9-6-1 record. Adding to the win column is impactful for these teams this week. Tennessee won the previous meeting 23-21 in a game held on November 14th, 2021, at Nissan Stadium.
Team Rankings Comparison:
| Rank (2022) | Saints | Titans |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 7-10 (3rd NFC South) | 7-10 (2nd AFC South) |
| Scoring Avg. | 19.4 (22) | 17.5 (28) |
| Opp. Scoring Avg. | 20.3 (9) | 21.1 (15) |
| Total Off. | 333.8 (19) | 296.8 (30) |
| Rushing Off. | 116.6 (19) | 125.4 (13) |
| Passing Off. | 217.2 (16) | 171.4 (30) |
| Total Def. | 314.8 (5) | 351.6 (23) |
| Rushing Def. | 130.5 (24) | 76.9 (1) |
| Passing Def. | 184.4 (2) | 274.8 (32) |
| Turnover Margin | -11 (31) | -3 (22) |
| Penalties | 99 (21) | 111 (29) |
| Penalty Yards | 841 (22) | 956 (31) |
Current Injury Report:
Saints-
Tre’Quan Smith, WR, Questionable, Groin
Kendre Miller, RB, Questionable, Hamstring
J.T. Gray, S, Questionable, Shoulder
Marshon Lattimore, CB, Questionable, Knee
Jake Haener, QB, Suspended
Alvin Kamara, RB, Suspended
Titans-
Tre Avery, CB, Questionable, Hamstring
Harold Landry III, LB, Questionable, Abdomen
Dillon Radunz, OT, Questionable, Knee
Final Thoughts/Prediction:
Derek Carr will make his black and gold debut, with fans eager to see what the former Raiders QB can bring to the field. There are several offensive weapons the Saints will utilize to catch the Titans’ defense to a standstill. We should look for a heavy passing attack from the Saints in this one as a depleted backfield competes with a banged-up Kendre Miller and will be without a suspended Alvin Kamara. Derrick Henry should show why he is “King” against a Saints front seven that struggled last year to stop the run. He may not run up and down the field all game, but a younger defensive line should play in a “bend, don’t break” mentality. Given the high-running emotions, elevated adrenaline levels, and a raucous home crowd in the Big Easy, I’ll take the Saints in Week 1 by a score of 27-21.
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