MNF: Saints vs Raiders odds, picks & predictions

The Las Vegas Raiders will look to christen Allegiant Stadium with a victory on Monday night when they host the New Orleans Saints in a battle of teams who both won their season openers. The Raiders are currently favored by five and a half points in what looks to be an entertaining matchup.

Let’s break down this week’s Monday Night Football game, give you a score prediction, and provide you with a free pick to bet on this week.

Raiders look to defend new home

The shiny new Allegiant Stadium will debut to the nation on Monday night, but it will be missing spectators due to COVID-19 restrictions. Fans or no fans, Las Vegas’ new football team hopes to build on a solid performance put forth on the road against the Carolina Panthers last weekend. The Raiders led 17-15 at halftime, before a strong third quarter put them ahead 27-15 and allowed them to hold on for a 35-31 victory.

Derek Carr put in a solid performance, throwing for 239 yards and not turning the ball over as he completed more than 70% of his pass attempts. It was a tough day for Josh Jacobs, who averaged only 3.7 yards per carry as he toted the rock 25 times on the day, but he did find the end zone three times to help his team to the win. Carr spread the ball around as well, completing passes to nine different players.

The Raiders do need to improve on defense after the first game, as evidenced by the Panthers gaining nearly 400 yards of offense in the opener. Robby Anderson caught six passes for 114 yards, which is cause for concern given Michael Thomas will be lining up for the Saints.

Is Drew Brees regressing?

Speaking of the Saints, last week was a concerning one as far as quarterback Drew Brees is concerned. In what was hyped to be an uber-offensive showdown with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, the offense simply did not perform to the level we are accustomed to. Of their 34 points scored, the defense posted a pick-six, and two other turnovers set them up with very favorable field position.

Aside from those drives, the offense gained only 271 yards, with Brees accounting for just 160 yards with his arm. At 41 years of age, many believe we are starting to see the regression of the future Hall of Famer. If that is the case, he will need to rely on his defense to help carry the load, something they did last week. He will also need to become a bit more of a game manager, and less of a gunslinger, meaning New Orleans may not be able to take as many risks or allow themselves to fall behind in games the way they have in the past.

How to bet on MNF: Saints vs. Raiders

Last week showed that the Saints’ defense can help carry them when Brees isn’t at his best, and it extended to 44 games their streak of not allowing an opposing player to top the 100 yard rushing mark. If Jacobs can't get going, it will put the onus on Carr to carry the Raiders to victory. Meanwhile, Brees will be happy to face a pass rush that recorded just four pressures on the quarterback last week, but the question remains what Brees can do with the time he’s given.

I expect Jacobs to be able to do enough on the ground to find the end zone a time or two, which should open up the play-action game for Carr. Meanwhile, the defense should be fired up playing in their new stadium for the first time, and they will take advantage of the struggling Saints offense.

Look for the Raiders to not only cover, which they have done in five of their last six Monday night games, but to take home the victory.

Score Prediction: Las Vegas 27, New Orleans 24

NFL pick: Las Vegas moneyline