Monday Night Football returns Week 2 with a matchup in the newly built stadium, dubbed the “Death Star,” for the Las Vegas Raiders versus the New Orleans Saints. The normal hoopla which usually comes with stadium openings will be very muted without fans. The Raiders will be in for a challenge against a Saints team which is 9-5 in the last decade on Monday Nights. The New Orleans Saints Monday Night Football game brings many interesting storylines as the Saints look to continue their prime-time dominance.
New Orleans Saints Monday Night Football Domination
The New Orleans Saints are undefeated in the past two seasons on Monday Night Football. These Monday Night games have been memorable for Drew Brees and the Saints organization. Brees broke the yardage record against the Washington (then Redskins) Football Team in 2018, supplanting Peyton Manning for most all-time. More records would fall for Brees in Week 15, 2019. Brees had maybe his most complete game in his career on Monday Night Football against the Indianapolis Colts. Brees broke the all-time touchdown record in this game but also set the mark for single-game completion percentage. He finished the game 29-30 for 307 yards, a completion percentage of 96.7%, and four touchdowns.
Outside of records falling, the Saints have been dominant in the past two seasons on Monday Nights. The offense has averaged 30 points per game in this span. Meanwhile, the defense has allowed a minuscule 14 points on average. The Saints defense showed up in a big way in Week 1 against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The unit intercepted Brady twice and held the running game under four yards a carry. The offense looked slightly rusty and still managed to score over 30 points. The Raiders will have to contend with a complete team that plays incredibly well in prime time.
Saints versus Raiders Storylines
The biggest storyline in this Monday’s game has to be the injuries to both team’s top receivers. Michael Thomas has a high-ankle injury and was reported to be missing several weeks. Henry Ruggs suffered a knee injury in Week 1 and has yet to practice this week. Both teams will have to find other weapons to use on offense should the receivers not be able to play Monday. Darren Waller and Nelson Agholor will have to fill the void should Ruggs sit. For New Orleans, look for Jared Cook and Emmanuel Sanders to step up in the giant void left by Michael Thomas.
This matchup will also feature two of the best running backs in the league. Alvin Kamara will also fill in for the targets left by the Thomas injury while also getting rushes. Kamara had a tough game against the Buccaneers front, averaging under two yards a carry. Kamara made up for a tough rushing game by catching five balls and scoring two total touchdowns. Josh Jacobs is coming off of a huge game against the Carolina Panthers. Jacobs had over 100 all-purpose yards in Week 1, scoring three touchdowns on the ground. Meanwhile, Jacobs also showed up in the passing game totaling four receptions.
Gameday Summary
This matchup between the Saints and Raiders should be entertaining on all fronts. Two highly regarded coaches, Sean Payton and Jon Gruden, matchup in prime time looking to build on Week 1 success. The Raiders will look to show they belong in the talks for contenders in the AFC. The Saints will want to build on their prime time dominance and show they can win without one of their best players. The New Orleans Saints Monday Night Football matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders will be entertaining on all fronts and show the world if these teams are poised for a successful 2020.
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