Titans vs. Saints Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Derek Carr Elevate the Saints in Week 1?
The Titans take on the Saints in NFL Week 1. Can Derek Carr elevate the Saints? Jason Radowitz breaks down his Titans vs. Saints prediction, pick, and the odds ahead of the game.
Jason Radowitz - September 7, 2023, 9:47 AM EDT
5 minTitans vs. Saints Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Derek Carr Elevate the Saints in Week 1?
The New Orleans Saints finally brought in a new quarter to be the face of the franchise. Ever since Drew Brees retired, the Saints haven't been able to find a sustainable quarterback.
They might have one now.
Derek Carr added over 3,500 yards while completing nearly 61% of passes with the Raiders last season. Las Vegas didn't have the best seasons, and Carr took on much of the blame. But he wasn't the only one to blame for the Raiders' woes.
Carr would love to begin his New Orleans tenure with a win. But he'll have to go up against a usually underrated Titans team in Week 1. The Titans have drafted a "franchise" quarterback in back-to-back seasons in the NFL Draft. But Ryan Tannehill is still the guy under center for the Titans.
Can Tannehill prove he still belongs as the starter?
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Sunday's game between the Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints.
Titans vs. Saints Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: September 10, 2023
- Game Time: 1:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
Titans vs. Saints Odds
- Spread: Titans +3 (-110), Saints -3 (-110)
- Total Odds: O/U 41 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Titans (+150), Saints (-170)
Titans vs. Saints Injury Report
Titans
Questionable: TE Chigozeim Okonkwo (Leg), WR Treylon Burks (Knee)
Out: CB Caleb Farley (Back), RB Hassan Haskins (Undisclosed), OL Nicholas Petit-Frere (Suspension), WR Kyle Phillps (Knee)
Saints
Questionable: TE Jimmy Graham (Illness), RB Kendre Miller (Hamstring), WR Rashid Shaheed (Groin)
Out: RB Eno Benjamin (Achilles), RB Alvin Kamara (Suspension), WR Tre'quan Smith (Groin), G Trai Turner (Quadricep)
Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints Prediction
The Saints will begin Week 1 a bit depleted.
Derek Carr will start at quarterback. However, running back Alvin Kamara is suspended for the first four games. Meanwhile, rookie running back Kendre Miller is still questionable for this game with an injury.
Therefore, we might see a lot of Jamaal Williams as a running back. He had a career year last season with the Lions. However, it's hard to imagine he replicates a season like that again.
The Saints' offensive line was terrible in the run block. Williams is a bruiser. He's not incredibly shifty. He just finds holes and runs. The running game won't be good if the Saints' offensive line is as bad as last season.
Still, the Saints were better in the passing game. Carr has Chris Olave and Michael Thomas at wide receiver. But we don't know what to expect from Michael Thomas, who hasn't played an entire season in what seems like forever.
Meanwhile, Juwan Johnson will be the tight end. Reports said he believes he'll become a higher-tier tight end this season. Looking at the receivers, it's likely that he'll get plenty of targets from Carr, who continuously threw the ball to Darren Waller and Foster Moreau in Las Vegas.
The passing game should be solid for the Saints. Although the Titans were solid in the secondary last season, the run defense for Tennessee was even better. Therefore, the Saints won't have much success rushing the football in this game.
On the other hand, the Titans got little protection in the passing game last year, too. Tennessee has Derrick Henry and will run the football down New Orleans' throats. That's a given, especially with Treylon Burks being unavailable in this game.
Last year, the Saints struggled to convert tackles. Derrick Henry is one of the hardest running backs to get on the ground.
So, while Tennesssee will run the ball, the Saints will have a more challenging time moving the ball and will likely be caught up in third and long situations.
With that said, I'll back the Under 41 in this game. I'm not ready to get excited about the New Orleans offense yet.
Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints Pick
- Under 41 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
NFL Odds
