Before you think the Raiders coming into the Superdome with a new coach means good things for the Saints, remember two things: the Saints tend to play down to their competition and the Raiders will be coming off of a bye week, which will give them extra time to prepare for Brees and company. Granted, new coach Tom Cable probably won’t be able to right the ship, but after seeing the Saints’ performance on Monday night we can’t take anything for granted.
Saints Players to Watch: The Raiders have a good one-two RB punch with Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden. One eye should be focused on offense, specifically Reggie Bush. Oakland has some good linebackers in Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison, and Bush’s problems pass blocking against extra rushers the defense sends was an issue against Tampa Bay in the season opener and could be again here. The Raider secondary has two above-average cornerbacks in Nnamdi Asomugha and DeAngelo Hall, who Saints fans are familiar with from his days in Atlanta. That duo won’t turn potential interceptions into second chances for the Saints—they’ll turn them into touchdowns.
Raiders Players to Watch: Forget the above for a second—everybody wants to see former LSU QB JaMarcus Russell in his first appearance at the Superdome since LSU’s 2006 Sugar Bowl victory over Notre Dame. Russell hasn’t been allowed to throw the ball much the first few weeks of the season, and there’s been no real need for him to due to the success of Fargas and McFadden. Oakland’s offense features average receivers in Ronald Curry and Javon Walker, the former Packer and Bronco who’s still rounding himself into playing shape after a hamstring injury, so the Saints defense could have a good day if the Saints can get ahead and force Russell to pass the ball in order to catch up.
Ex-Saints to Watch: No notables this week.
HA’s Madden ’09 Result: Saints win, 34-10.
HA’s Prediction: The Saints should be in must-win mode, making this one an important game to win before a brutal stretch of road games. Despite Oakland benefiting from the extra week, we’ll go Saints 27, Raiders 16.
