The New Orleans Saints will try to get their first win of the season when they travel to Seattle to play the Seahawks. The Saints are on a six-game losing skid dating to last season. Can they get Kellen Moore his first win? Here are our staff predictions.
Jeff Duncan (Season record: 0-2)
Seahawks 27, Saints 13: Lumen Field is no place to go to try to snap a losing streak, especially when you’re as banged up as the Saints are. Kellen Moore and Spencer Rattler will need to be creative to carve out yards and points against a stingy, aggressive Seahawks defense. The Saints might need a boost from defense and special teams to spring the upset.
Zach Ewing (Season record: 1-1)
Seahawks 19, Saints 13: Because of Kellen Moore’s quick passing scheme and Spencer Rattler’s decisiveness, the Saints haven’t had to deal much with a pass rush through two weeks. That’s about to change, because Seattle seemingly can get pressure in any circumstance. I’m no fan of Sam Darnold, so New Orleans should stay close, but I don’t see the Saints scoring enough here.
Luke Johnson (Season record: 1-1)
Seahawks 26, Saints 16: To me, this game will boil down to the trenches. The Saints are taking a banged-up offensive line into a hostile road environment to face one of the tougher defensive fronts in the NFL. That doesn’t sound like ideal conditions for a breakout offensive performance.
Matthew Paras (Season record: 1-1)
Seahawks 28, Saints 17: Maybe the Seahawks will be in store for a letdown after a big win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. But that’s hard to count on. New Orleans’ offensive line is in store for a tough afternoon, and I’m not completely confident the defense can stop the plays Klint Kubiak wants to run, even after seeing it in practice every day last year.
Rod Walker (Season record: 1-1)
Seahawks 24, Saints 10: To Kellen Moore’s credit, the Saints have been competitive in their first two games. But those games were at home (although Sunday’s game against the 49ers didn’t feel like home). Now they go on the road to face a stiff defense in a hostile environment. The Seahawks haven’t given up more than 17 points this season, and this week won’t be any different.
