NFL Week 1 Picks: Odds, Over/Under Predictions Every Game Before Thursday Night

The Oakland Raiders open the season on the road against the New Orleans Saints, and in past years, this game would have been a blowout for the home team.

We don’t see it that way this time around. That’s because the Raiders are an up-and-coming team with balance on offense and one of the game’s best stars on defense in Khalil Mack. They should have every chance of going into the Superdome and handing the Saints a defeat on their home field.

The Saints are one-point favorites, and the total in the game is a robust 51 points, according to Odds Shark.

The Raiders should win the game outright and therefore cover the spread, but we also like the over, even though the total is tied for the highest on the board along with the Detroit Lions-Indianapolis Colts game.

The Oakland offense boasts Derek Carr at quarterback, Latavius Murray at running back and Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree at wide receiver. The Saints are going to have trouble slowing this group down.

Raiders big back Latavius Murray looks for bigger role https://t.co/s3T9JNK0qJ

— SFGate (@SFGate) September 7, 2016

Last year, New Orleans was miserable on defense, and while the team has brought in Nick Fairley and James Laurinaitis to help solidify that side of the ball, it’s not going to happen quickly. Playing superb defense in the NFL is all about rhythm, timing and knowing exactly how teammates are going to react in specific situations. The Saints are nowhere near that position.

The Raiders are better defensively than the Saints, but they are not going to shut down Drew Brees on his home field. Look for the New Orleans quarterback to lead his team to at least three touchdowns, and that should be enough to put this game over since the Raiders should score 35 points or more.

Take …

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