The New Orleans Saints return to the Caesars Superdome carrying momentum, growing confidence in Tyler Shough and an opportunity to move above .500.
Standing in their way is a 2-0 Las Vegas Raiders team that has combined opportunistic offense with one of the NFL’s most disruptive pass rushes through the opening two weeks.
The Saints proved they can finish by overcoming an 11-point deficit and defeating Baltimore in Week 2. Sunday’s home opener will test whether New Orleans can begin with the same urgency it showed during that fourth-quarter comeback.
Here are 21 keys to a Saints victory over the Raiders.
Game information
- Matchup: Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints
- Date: Sunday, September 27
- Kickoff: 3:25 p.m. CT
- Location: Caesars Superdome
- Television: CBS
- Saints record: 1-1
- Raiders record: 2-0
Saints offense: Protect Shough and start faster
1. Score before halftime
The Saints have produced only six first-half points through their opening two games. Another slow start could allow Las Vegas to control the pace and take the Superdome crowd out of the game.
New Orleans must create points during its first two or three possessions.
2. Protect Tyler Shough
Shough has completed 62 of 90 passes for 662 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also been sacked eight times.
The Raiders enter Week 3 tied for the NFL lead with eight sacks. New Orleans cannot allow Las Vegas’ defensive front to dictate the afternoon.
3. Give Asim Richards help
With Kelvin Banks Jr. sidelined, Richards is expected to make his first start at left tackle for New Orleans.
The Saints should use tight ends, running backs and protection slides to prevent Maxx Crosby and the Raiders’ other edge rushers from isolating Richards on obvious passing downs.
4. Get the ball out quickly
Quick slants, option routes, running-back screens and receiver screens can neutralize an aggressive pass rush.
Shough does not need to hunt for a deep completion on every play. A steady collection of five- and eight-yard gains can keep the offense on schedule.
5. Avoid third-and-long
The best protection plan is staying out of obvious passing situations.
Productive first-down runs and short completions will give Kellen Moore access to his entire playbook instead of allowing Las Vegas to attack Shough on third-and-eight or longer.
6. Establish the running game
A credible rushing attack will slow the Raiders’ edge pressure and prevent their defensive line from firing directly at the quarterback.
Travis Etienne Jr. practiced fully Friday after being limited earlier in the week. New Orleans should use its available backs to create a balanced workload.
7. Use play action
Once the Saints establish the threat of the run, play-action passes can create windows for Chris Olave, DeVaughn Vele and the tight ends.
Shough has the arm talent to attack downfield, but those shots should come from favorable formations and protection—not desperation.
8. Move the pocket
Rollouts and designed launch-point changes can prevent Las Vegas from repeatedly targeting the same protection weakness.
Shough is athletic enough to threaten the defense outside the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield.
9. Feature Chris Olave early
The Saints should get their top receiver involved before Las Vegas can settle into its defensive plan.
Scripted completions to Olave can establish Shough’s rhythm and force the Raiders to adjust their coverage.
10. Finish in the red zone
Field goals may keep the Saints close, but touchdowns will be required against a Raiders offense averaging approximately 27 points per game.
When New Orleans crosses the 20-yard line, it must remain aggressive and convert opportunities into seven points.
11. Protect the football
Las Vegas has started 2-0 by playing complementary football and taking advantage of opponents’ mistakes.
The Saints cannot erase long drives with interceptions, strip sacks or mishandled exchanges. A clean turnover margin would dramatically improve their chances.
Saints defense: Make Cousins uncomfortable
12. Stop Ashton Jeanty first
The Raiders want to run the football, consume the clock and keep Shough on the sideline.
New Orleans must limit Jeanty on early downs and force Las Vegas into predictable passing situations.
13. Win first down
Allowing five or six yards on first down would keep the Raiders’ complete playbook available.
Holding Las Vegas to short gains—or creating negative plays—would allow the Saints’ pass rush to attack Cousins.
14. Collapse the interior pocket
Cousins has completed approximately 68 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and has been sacked only twice.
The Saints cannot allow him to operate from a clean platform. Interior pressure from the defensive tackles may be even more important than pressure off the edge.
15. Make Cousins move
Cousins is a dangerous rhythm passer, but he is far less comfortable when forced to reset his feet or escape the pocket.
Chase Young and Carl Granderson must rush with discipline, close the escape lanes and make Cousins deliver under pressure.
16. Disrupt the quick passing game
Las Vegas will likely counter the Saints’ rush with quick throws.
New Orleans’ defensive backs must challenge routes at the line, close passing windows and force Cousins to hold the ball for an extra second.
17. Eliminate explosive plays
The Saints can survive a few short completions. They cannot surrender uncontested deep shots or long catch-and-run gains.
Sound communication between the cornerbacks and safeties will be essential, particularly if Martin Emerson Jr. cannot play.
18. Prepare for Brock Bowers
Bowers did not practice Friday and is officially questionable with a knee injury.
If he plays, the Saints must know where he lines up on every snap. If he sits, New Orleans should immediately adjust and devote more resources to Jeanty and the outside receivers.
19. Finish tackles
Jeanty and the Raiders’ receiving weapons can turn short gains into explosive plays when defenders arrive out of control.
The first defender must secure the tackle while the rest of the defense rallies to the football.
20. Win third down and create a takeaway
New Orleans needs to get off the field after producing favorable first- and second-down results.
One interception, forced fumble or strip sack could swing field position and give Shough the short field the offense may need.
Special teams and atmosphere
21. Replace Barion Brown’s production and unleash the Dome
Brown is out with a hamstring injury, leaving the Saints without their primary return threat. His replacement does not need to manufacture a touchdown, but he must secure the football and avoid giving away hidden yardage.
From there, the Saints must give the Superdome crowd a reason to take over.
An early touchdown, sack or takeaway could turn the building into a major advantage. Crowd noise can disrupt Cousins’ communication and help the Saints’ pass rush anticipate the snap.
New Orleans has spent the opening two weeks on the road. This is the moment to reestablish the Superdome as one of the NFL’s most uncomfortable venues.
Final outlook
The Raiders are undefeated, disciplined and dangerous, but this is a winnable game for New Orleans.
The Saints must protect Shough, start faster, slow Jeanty and make Cousins operate under pressure. They also need to compensate for the losses of Banks, Brown and Christen Miller without allowing those absences to change their identity.
New Orleans demonstrated resilience in Baltimore. Week 3 is about demonstrating consistency.
If the Saints can win the line of scrimmage, avoid turnovers and carry their fourth-quarter urgency into the opening quarter, they will have an excellent opportunity to leave the Superdome at 2-1.
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