Las Vegas comes in 2-0 and ahead of schedule, but Sean Green’s point on the NFL Picks Week 3 episode was that the Raiders have basically played two home games so far. This is the first hostile room they’ve seen: the Saints’ home opener in New Orleans, LA, on Sunday, September 27 at 4:25 PM ET. The Saints are 3-point favorites and the total is 43.5.
Raiders vs Saints Odds
New Orleans is laying 3 at home (NO -3). The over/under is 43.5.
Our Picks
- Ryan Kramer (@KramerCentric): Raiders +3
- Sean Green (@SeanTGreen): Saints -3
Ryan opened by calling these two teams close to identical, which to him makes 3 the right number. He did flag the schedule, since the Raiders have the Chiefs up next. Sean answered that the Saints have their own distraction, a rivalry game with the Falcons, but he thinks the letdown is far more likely from a Raiders team that has already beaten expectations. He also brought up a long losing ATS record for the Raiders after wins, and mentioned that the Saints are missing a tackle for the next couple of weeks.
Sean has been high on New Orleans all along, and two weeks haven’t changed his mind. He expects the Saints to move the ball, he trusts their defense to make a few big plays, and he’s happy to fade Kirk Cousins as a small road underdog. He noted Cousins already has three interceptions and predicted more on Sunday. Ryan, who has a bet on Cousins leading the league in interceptions, had no objection to that part.
Ryan’s case rests on the coaching and the scoreboard. He likes the plans Kubiak has brought into each game, and he pointed out that a receiving room people wrote off has played well without Brock Bowers. He also conceded the Saints faced tougher opponents in the first two weeks. But he called New Orleans a Jekyll and Hyde team, and he doesn’t want to count on the good half showing up against an opponent that has played well with a lead. He expects a lower-scoring game and took the points while openly admitting it’s a poor spot for Las Vegas. Sean’s reply was that the feud with the Saints continues.
Hear the full breakdown on the NFL Picks Week 3 episode, or listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Watch every game on YouTube, and download the SGPN app at sg.pn/links. See all our NFL Picks.
