Matinee football gets kicking on Sunday with the Saints hitting the road for the first time on this young season. They’ll be visiting the Pacific Northwest and Lumen Field with the Seahawks playing host. The Seahawks are riding high after a big Week 2 win and are looking to come home and give the 12th man something to cheer about. We’re breaking down all the action with this Saints-Seahawks preview.
The Saints head into Seattle on Sunday looking for their very first win on the season. The expectations weren’t high going into the season, but that was largely due to the quarterback room, which has been surprisingly adequate. Spencer Rattler has gone for over 200 yards in two straight games and has yet to turn the ball over. They have been solid on defense as well – keeping both games close. You can expect them to do the same in this one as well.
The Seahawks and Sam Darnold will be looking to play from ahead. Their new-look passing game struggled to find its footing in Week 1 and then came alive in a big way last Sunday. Led by Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, they picked up nearly 300 yards through the air against the Steelers en route to a 14-point victory. With no running back having yet picked up 70 yards against the Saints, they’ll likely need to repeat that if they want to win this one.
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New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks Preview and Predictions
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Over 6.5 Receptions (+111)
Smith-Njigba is an absolutely target monster for Sam Darnold and Klint Kubiak. In each of his first two games, he commanded double digit targets and has now racked up 17 receptions. That number is just one off of the league’s co-leaders – Puka Nacua and De’Von Achane each with 18. Mac Jones managed to complete 26 passes against the Saints last week. You have to imagine the targets are going to be there and JSG knows how to reel them in.
New Orleans Saints +7.5 (-110)
For my Saints-Seahwaks prediction, I understand why the Seahawks are the favorites in this one – especially after that win over the Steelers. Their passing offense is clicking on all cylinders and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them have another big day. However, the Saints haven’t looked overmatched by anyone in this short season. They kept both the Cardinals and the 49ers within a score over the first two weeks. With Rattler protecting the ball the way that he is, I think they’ll keep this one close too.
