We are just a couple months away from the kick-off of the NFL season. 

Saints fans are eager to see how Derek Carr acclimates to the Bayou with the Titans coming to town to start the ‘23 season. But the best thing we can do until then is to lock in some early bets for week one!

Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans 

We are heading to the Big Easy to kick off the season as the Titans will roll into Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

The Saints and the Titans had disappointing seasons in 2022 and will attempt to rebound this year. New Orleans has the best chance to do so as they enter the campaign as the favorite to win the NFC South. 

Some of the hype comes from the South being a weak division. Another part has to do with the addition of quarterback Derek Carr. Carr has performed at a high level in the NFL and ranks second amongst active quarterbacks in fourth-quarter comebacks.

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Jun 13, 2023; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during minicamp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

He has proven he can lead an offense, but things went south for him in the second half of the season with the Raiders, and the organization decided it was time to move on. 

Carr will have a fresh start in New Orleans and get the opportunity to play with talented skill-position players in Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave.

Saints Key-Off Season Transactions 

Titans Key Off-Season Transactions 

According to the Sportsbooks, the Titans enter the year as a team that won’t make the playoffs. Tennessee struggled to stay healthy last season and had one of the worst offenses. 

Starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill was injured late in the season, which forced former second-round pick Malik Willis into action. Willis struggled in his role as a starter and was released in the offseason. 

The Titans did little to get better in the off-season, and it will be interesting to see how their offense adjusts this year. Mike Vrabel has been one of the most successful coaches in football over the past five years and will attempt to lead this Titans team back to the postseason. 

Game Pick: New Orleans Saints -3 (-115, DraftKings) 

The Saints are a team that I am high on entering the new season. 

The issue for New Orleans a season ago was their offense, which could not produce at a high level. However, Carr’s addition makes this Saints team a playoff contender in my eyes. 

Carr is one of the most disrespected quarterbacks in football, as the numbers do not lie.

Not only has Carr put up great stats, but you could make the case that he is the most-clutch signal caller, as he leads the league in fourth-quarter comebacks since entering the league. Carr will get a chance to play with a top-notch defense which should lead to success. 

Saints defense

Jan 8, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Chase Hansen (42) and defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon (90) and cornerback Bradley Roby (21) celebrate an interception by safety Daniel Sorensen (25) against Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The atmosphere will be electric in the Dome, and the Saints will dominate this game on both sides of the ball against a weak Tennessee squad. The Titans took a step back in the off-season, and I do not see any world where they will be able to put up points this season consistently. 

On the other hand, I fully expect New Orleans to be a top-ten offense in football as the weapons are in place, and this will elevate the play of Carr. The Titans have not been a good Week 1 team, as they have lost their last two season openers and will suffer their third in a row this year. 

You can tail the Saints on DraftKings Sportsbook, where you can also get up to $1,000 in DK Dollars when you sign up below!

Saints vs Titans