(Photo via Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire)
Every Thursday right here you can read Inside the Dome, where we’ll get into a different topic on the Saints/the NFL as a whole, break down the Black and Gold, and talk about where things stand in the shield. In this week’s edition, it’s finally game week! Let’s break down how we think the Saints will perform on Sunday at home against the Titans:
At long last, the NFL season has finally arrived. The first Sunday of NFL football always has a Christmas morning type feel to it. Finally, we get a look at some of the offseason additions, new coaches, and stars we have become accustomed to seeing perform week in and week out over the years.
For New Orleans, they’ll get their season kicked off at home in the noon slot against the Tennessee Titans. After drafting Malik Willis and Will Levis in back to back drafts, Ryan Tannehill still begins the season as the starting quarterback for the Titans. Of course as we all know though, the offense runs through Derrick Henry and the Saints ability to stop him will go a long way in determining whether or not they win the game.
The Titans feel like a team in decline after missing out on the playoffs in 2022. Mike Vrabel will never field a terrible team, but this Tennessee team feels extremely vulnerable with weaknesses on both sides of the ball.
The big story of the offseason for the Saints is new quarterback Derek Carr, and getting a first look at Carr in his new offense is one of the most exciting storylines in all of week one. The Saints ceiling this season really lies on the arm of Carr and how well he can gel with Pete Carmichael and the New Orleans offense.
Something to monitor as well will be the Saints running back situation. Recall the fact that Alvin Kamara is suspended for the first three games of the season. The Saints drafted Kendre Miller from TCU, but Miller is dealing with a hamstring issue and it seems likely that he may be out in week one.
If that is the case, look for new signing Jamaal Williams to take the majority of the workload in the backfield. Williams had a phenomenal 2022 for the Lions, rushing for over 1000 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The Saints are favored by 3 points on Sunday.
In making a prediction for this one, I’m inclined to think the Saints get it done at home in week one. Derek Carr seems comfortable in New Orleans, and the Titans simply are not very good.
Prediction: Saints 24, Titans 13
