The Oakland Raiders play host to the New Orleans Saints tonight, Sunday August 28th, as the Raiders seek their first preseason win in week 3 of the 2011 NFL preseason. The Saints won their last meeting against the Raiders back in 2008. NFL oddsmakers have the Saints as -4 point road favorites over the Raiders with the over/under set at 38.5 points. Start your 2011 NFL preseason off right by getting your bet on the latest Saints vs Raiders spread avaliable now.
New Orleans (1-1) beat San Francisco 24-3 at home in their preseason opener, but lost in Houston 14-27 in week 2. QB Drew Brees has plenty left in the tank and many good years still ahead of him. Last season was uncharacteristic of Brees, who threw a career high 22 interceptions, but that had everything to do with a lack of any real rush offense. New Orleans became one dimensional and opposing defenses knew their best chance to beat the Saints was to stop Drew Brees in the air. Defenses sat back and feasted on the aerial display. Despite this he still threw for over 4,000 yards, and completed 68% of his passes. Now with a rejuvenated run game Brees should cut his interception total in half without much problem. No running back has ever averaged more than 175 carries inside Sean Payton’s offense since he took over. The only exception was Deuce McAllister, who carried the ball 277 times for 1,057 yards in 2006. There is no reason to think this season will be any different, but what we do know is Payton will utilize each running back in situations that emphasize their talent. (Thomas with the screen, Ingram in goal line, Sproles on third downs.)
Oakland (0-2) lost at home to Arizona 18-24 in week 1 and lost 3-17 in San Francisco. The third preseason contest is generally when you get your first prolonged look at the starters. No doubt Hue Jackson will be anxious to see his offense closer to full strength as Darren McFadden makes his preseason debut. New Orleans is a great measuring stick for Oakland. The high-powered passing attack will provide the best test to date for the young secondary and the Saints boast a bevy of versatile running backs that will surely test the run defense.
New Orleans Saints vs Oakland Raiders
When: Sunday August 28th@8:00 PM ET
Pick: Saints -4
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The Bottom Line: The Saints will field more starters, which means dominance. Start your 2011 NFL preseason off right by getting your New Orleans Saints vs Oakland Raiders predictions in now.
