Saints: 3 keys to prime-time success against Raiders

Tre’Quan Smith and Emmanuel Sanders need to step up.

There is a good chance that superstar wide receiver Michael Thomas will be inactive for the game on Monday night with a high ankle sprain. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Saints decided to put Thomas on the three-week injured reserve to make sure he heals completely before returning.

In Week 1, Thomas saw five targets with three receptions. Those looks are going to have to go somewhere else. That is where Tre’Quan Smith and Emmanuel Sanders are going to need to step up and be a quality receiving duo.

Sanders is a meticulous route runner that finds a way to get open. He should see an increase from the five targets he saw in Week 1. He is just going to have to catch more passes being that he will be the No. 1 receiver.

Smith on the other hand saw one target and one reception on Sunday. He was pretty much a no-show. That will not be the same on Monday night. Smith will finally have the chance to prove why the Saints still want to keep him around.

Jared Cook and Alvin Kamara should also see a bump in targets due to Thomas’s absence.