Saints vs. Raiders Betting Odds & Pick: Should You Trust the Home Dog in Monday Night Football Week 2?

Saints vs. Raiders Betting Odds & Pick: Should You Trust the Home Dog in Monday Night Football Week 2? article feature image
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Getty Images. Pictured: Drew Brees, Josh Jacobs

  • The Las Vegas Raiders will host the New Orleans Saints for a Monday Night Football showdown to close out Week 2 of the NFL season.
  • The Saints, who opened as 4.5-point road favorites, were bet up to -6 earlier in the week before settling back in at -4 in the final hours before kickoff.
  • Senior football betting analyst Stuckey previews this matchup, complete with analysis of key matchups and the odds.

Saints vs. Raiders Odds

Saints Odds
-5.5 [BET NOW]
Raiders Odds
+5.5[BET NOW]
Over/Under
48.5 [BET NOW]
Kickoff
8:15 p.m. ET on Monday
TV
ESPN/ABC

Odds as of Sunday night and via DraftKings. Get up to a $1,000 sign-up bonus at DraftKings today or see more offers and reviews for the best online sportsbooks.


We have NFL action in Las Vegas on Monday Night Football as the Raiders unveil their new stadium. It should be an exciting watch — even without fans. Let's take a closer look at this matchup between two 1-0 teams.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints had an impressive Week 1 win on the surface, but they certainly got some help with Buccaneer turnovers and big special teams plays. New Orleans averaged only 4.1 yards per play against Tampa Bay — the second-fewest of any team in its season opener.

Drew Brees just looked off, finishing with the 24th-highest adjusted completion percentage. That's very un-Brees-like. I'm not sure if it's Father Time or just rust he needs to shake off, but he uncharacteristically missed a number of wide open throws against the Bucs.

Now, Brees will have to make do without Michael Thomas, arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL. That's an enormous loss against any team, but especially against an extremely raw and inexperienced Raiders secondary that would have no way of matching up with Thomas while keeping tabs on the other Saints weapons.

Tre'Quan Smith is obviously a much more manageable assignment for either Trayvon Mullen or Damon Arnette.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders also pulled out a Week 1 victory on the backs of an impressive offensive performance, which is how this team will have to win all season. There's no other way to put it: The defense is just bad — they don't generate pressure and struggle to cover on the outside. That's a nightmare combination in today's NFL.

Well, not getting pressure won't hurt them that much against New Orleans' passing attack. Brees gets rid of the ball so quickly behind his elite offensive line, so this isn't really a concern. The coverage is still a major worry, but again, not having Thomas at least gives Vegas a shot.

On the other side of the ball, the Raiders feature outstanding back Josh Jacobs, a tackle breaking machine who also benefits from running behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. The Saints have such a deep and complete defense but the Raiders should find ways to move the ball.

There are two key injuries to watch on the Raiders side: Rookie wide receiver Henry Ruggs, who had the highest percentage of any team's air yards in Week 1, and tackle Trent Brown both may not play. If neither can go or both are limited, that will certainly hamper this offense.

Saints-Raiders Pick

I make this line right around 4, so I played Raiders +7 (-118) as soon as I saw it earlier in the week, especially with Thomas out. I still see value on the Raiders here, though, especially if you can get 6 — and it's possible the spread will move back there before kickoff, so be sure to consult our NFL odds page to compare real-time lines across sportsbooks and find the best.

If you don't love anything pregame, you could wait to bet the Saints in the second half if the Raiders have the lead at the break. The Saints have a major coaching advantage against a Raiders team that struggled immensely in third quarters all last season, averaging the fewest points and giving up the most.

New Orleans should hold the edge when it comes to halftime adjustments and shouldn't have any issues coming from behind against an awful Vegas defense.

[Bet now at PointsBet and get $150 if the Raiders score a point]

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