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Las Vegas is now the backdrop for the home open for the Raiders and the New Orleans Saints will be the first team welcomed inside the team’s new $2.2 billion Allegiant Stadium Monday, Sept. 21.
Both teams sport 1-0 records as Vegas opened the year with a road win at Carolina while New Orleans defended home turf against Tampa Bay.
Raider quarterback Derek Carr completed 73 percent of his passes, spreading the ball around to nine different players against the Panthers last Sunday.
This week he will be going up against a Saints defense that forced three turnovers against the Buccaneers, including intercepting future hall-of-famer Tom Brady twice.
One of the interceptions of the pick-six.
In addition, New Orleans sacked Brady three times and hit him seven. Carr wasn’t sacked at all against Carolina.
Vegas’ offense was spearheaded by second-year running back Josh Jacobs, who rushed for 93 yards and three touchdowns.
With tackles Trent Brown and Sam Young listed as doubtful for Monday’s game, we’ll see if head coach Jon Gruden and company opt to hand the ball off 31 times as they did the previous week.
First round draft pick Henry Ruggs had two of those carries in addition to three receptions for 55 yards.
He made a highlight reel play in his first career game when he reeled in a 45 yard pass from Carr to set up a one-yard touchdown for Jacobs.
Ruggs is also listed as doubtful for this game.
Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther watched his Vegas defense sack the quarterback and hit him three times led by second-year safety Johnathan Abram with a game-high 13 tackles.
The Raiders also committed only three penalties after being the third-most penalized team in 2019.
He hopes to get a similar performance in week two as Saints quarterback Drew Brees, playing in his 20th season, went 18-for-30, passing for 160 yards and two touchdowns.
Brees will be without pro bowl receiver Michael Thomas.
Vegas is one of three undefeated AFC West teams, the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers are the others.
New Orleans is the only undefeated team in the NFC South division.
The Raiders are looking for their first 2-0 start since 2017.
All-Time Notes
The Raiders are 6-6-1 all-time versus New Orleans, winning their last contest Sept. 11, 2016, 35-34.
Carr 24/38, 63% comp. pct., 319 yards, touchdown (1-0 record)
Brees 219/325, 67% comp. pct., 2,486 yards, 23 touchdowns, 4 interceptions (8-1 record)
Jalen Richard 3 carries, 84 yards, touchdown, 2 receptions, 11 yards in one game played against the Saints
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