Jameis Winston wowed the NFL in Week 1, throwing five touchdown passes in a 38-3 drubbing of the Green Bay Packers. He followed that up with two picks and just 111 yards through the air in a 26-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Next up for Winston and the New Orleans Saints is a visit to New England, where the Patriots have already posted five takeaways in their first two games. Mac Jones got his first win as an NFL quarterback last week, as the Patriots bounced back from a one-point home loss to Miami in their opener with a 25-6 win in New York over the Jets. The Patriots had six scoring drives in 11 chances even though the team only had 260 yards of offense. It helped that the defense snagged four Zach Wilson passes for interceptions. Which team will win?
Don’t miss our online NFL betting prediction.
NFL Preview: New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots (Sunday, September 26)
When: Sunday, September 26, 2021, 1:00 pm ET
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA
TV: FOX
Radio: WWL 870 AM New Orleans / WBZ 98.5 FM Boston
Live Stream: Hulu
NFL Odds: New England -2.5 / O/U 42
Why should you bet on the Saints?
The Saints have been a solid road team, winning six of their last eight games outside the Big Easy. On the season, Jameis Winston has completed almost 60 percent of his passes — although that includes a game at 70 percent and a game at 50 percent. Deonte Harris and Juwan Johnson have caught three touchdown passes combined, picking up 125 yards. On the ground, Alvin Kamara leads the team with 88 yards on 28 attempts, and he also has seven catches out of the backfield.
On defense, New Orleans permits 14.5 points per game (although that includes three points in the opener and 26 last week). Demario Davis leads the D with 16 tackles. Malcolm Roach has one interception, and Tanoh Kpassagnon leads the team with a sack. Clearly, there is some room for improvement in the area of pressure on the passer, as Carolina’s Sam Darnold was largely untouched last week.
Why should you put your money on the Patriots?
New England is just 4-4 in their last eight games at home. This includes back-to-back losses in Week 17 in 2020 and Week 1 this season. Nelson Agholor is seeing something of a rebirth to his wide receiving career, as he and James White have combined for 187 receiving yards. Jakobi Meyers leads the team with ten catches. On the ground, Damien Harris has already run for 162 yards through two games, with a hard-fought touchdown against the Jets that should compensate for his costly fumble against Miami in the opener.
The Patriots’ defense permits 11.5 points per game, and going from 17 in the opener to six in Week 2 is a better progression, although the Saints come in with more offensive talent than either the Dolphins or the Jets. Ja’Whaun Bentley is the Patriots’ top tackler with 13. Josh Uche already has three sacks, and J.C. Jackson has snagged two picks. If you like the Patriots, you see their scheme taking advantage of Winston’s penchant for throwing poorly under pressure.
Final Score and Betting Prediction
New England has only covered twice in their last eight games as a favorite and just three times in their last 11 games as a favorite at home. New Orleans has covered in nine of their last 13 games overall and in 38 of their last 55 road contests. The Saints are dead last in total offense and passing yards, a testament to Carolina’s smothering defense — but Winston did not hit 200 passing yards in the team’s rout of Green Bay either. I see the Patriots squeezing out a 17-13 home win, but even if the Saints can mount a late rally, I feel even more comfortable about taking the “under” in this game.
NFL Betting Odds
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