Three bold predictions for Saints season opener vs. Titans

We are so close to the start of the New Orleans Saints 2023 season. Here are three bold predictions for the Saints opener.

When the New Orleans Saints take the field to take on the Tennessee Titans, it (at long last) marks the kickoff of probably the most anticipated Saints season in the post-Drew Brees and Sean Payton era. It primarily has to do with the fact that the Saints and their fans have what they hope is finally the answer at quarterback in Derek Carr. 

While week one of the NFL season is always unpredictable, and often pretty nuts, that doesn’t mean we can’t try to get a little bold. Here are our three bold predictions for the Saints season opener against the Titans. 

Bold Prediction #1: The Saints score on their opening possession

When games are played in the Superdome, magic can happen. Some prefer to call it voodoo, but we won’t do that. It’s especially true when the season starts there, as the early atmosphere is nothing short of absolute thunder. 

As such, Carr and the Saints will ride the momentum they showed in the preseason and march right down the field on their opening offensive possession and find pay-dirt. 

How will they get into the end zone? Tough to say, but perhaps this will help…

Bold Prediction #2: Derek Carr throws four touchdowns for the Saints

Piggybacking off of the previous previous bold prediction, we zero in on the Saints QB1. Carr will thrive in his Big Easy debut, and in the absence of Alvin Kamara, more emphasis will be on the passing game, and the wide receivers and tight ends. 

With this being the case, and the fact that the secondary of the Titans should once again much to be desired coupled with the opening week Superdome atmosphere, Carr will throw the same number of touchdowns as the one he wears on his new Saints jersey, whipping the Bayou into a frenzy. 

Now for the other side of the ball…

Bold Prediction #3: The Saints hold Derrick Henry to under 100 yards rushing

On the surface, this may seem like our boldest prediction here, hence the inclusion, but when you pull back and zoom out a bit, a case can also be made it’s the most likely of this trio to occur. 

Derrick Henry is an absolute beast. There’s no way around it. There’s a couple backs every generation (at most) that buck the trend of the position and have long, productive careers. With that being the case, it gives us a nice sample size to support this. 

Henry has only eclipsed the century mark for rush yards once in his career on opening day, and that was back in 2020. He also hasn’t found the end zone week one since 2019, and that was the only time he has. With the Saints revamped defensive front, and the youth movement that came with it, they should be able to keep the one they call the King at bay. 

So there’s are three boldest predictions for the Saints opening contest of the 2023 campaign. We also know what you’re thinking, and the answer is yes. The New Orleans Saints should start the year 1-0.