New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots Matchup Preview (9/26/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)
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New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots Matchup Preview (9/26/21)
The Saints and the Patriots will play in Foxborough this Sunday, and on paper, these two teams look the same.
The Patriots and Saints enter Sunday 11th and 12th in Total DVOA, respectively. They are both 1-1 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS). Plus, they are both 2-0 to the under in the young 2021 season.
Right now, the consensus line is NE -3, except for Fox Bet where it’s -2.5. This essentially means Vegas sees these two as even but is giving the Patriots a field-goal home advantage. Given the two team’s defensive success so far this season, the consensus total is just 41.5, tied for the lowest on the board (Broncos-Jets).
However, New Orleans and New England have taken vastly different routes to get to this point. Let’s dive into this intriguing Week 3 matchup and find the most profitable betting angles.
New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots Betting Odds
Winston is coming off a rough week, and he is now traveling into Foxborough to face a Belichick-led defense. The Patriots have playmakers all over the front seven, and they combine that with one of the more physical secondaries in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Jones has been the best rookie quarterback in the league through two weeks, completing almost 74% of his passes while not turning the ball over once. He’s taken what the defense has given him, and the Patriots should be 2-0 entering this matchup.
Therefore, I think we’re looking at a Patriots win. The Saints’ ground game hasn’t developed yet this season, and Winston won’t be able to bail them out against this team.
Given this game is between two bottom-10 DVOA offenses and elite defenses, the public will be inclined to take the under. However, I think this total is spot on, and that this will be a grind-it-out, 21-17 game.
My predictions: Patriots win 21-17, Patriots cover -3
- Michigan Sports Betting
- Tennessee Sports Betting
- Arizona Sports Betting
- BetMGM Michigan
- FanDuel Michigan
- DraftKings Michigan
- Caesars Arizona
- DraftKings Arizona
- FanDuel Arizona
- Caesars Promo Code
- BetMGM Bonus Code
- DraftKings Promo Code
You can bet on this NFL game legally. Sports betting has been legalized in the US. You must be located in a legalized state in order to bet online.
TV Schedule
Date: Sunday, September 26
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Location: Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, MA
TV Coverage: FOX
New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots Live Stream
Where can you watch Saints vs. Patriots online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Saints vs. Patriots Free Online Now.
Injuries
New Orleans Saints: CJ Garnder-Johnson (Q), Pete Werner (Q), Marshon Lattimore (Q)
New England Patriots: Kyle Van Noy (Q), Ronnie Perkins (Q)
New Orleans Saints Analysis
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team go as high-to-low as the Saints did over the first two weeks.
Jameis Winston went from throwing five touchdowns in a blowout win to throwing two picks in a blowout loss. However, one thing stayed the same: The Saints haven’t been moving the ball that well.
Jameis tossed for just 148 yards in the Week 1 victory and then 111 yards in the Week 2 loss. The Saints’ 115.5 pass yards per game rank dead last in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Saints rank 23rd in Rush Offense DVOA through two weeks, and they managed just 2.8 YPC against Carolina.
The Saints still rank fifth in Total Defense DVOA, including third in Rush Defense DVOA. However, their dominant win against the Packers probably makes this defense slightly overvalued. They looked very shaky against Carolina in Week 2, allowing the Panthers to convert 28 first downs.
New Orleans Saints Depth Chart
QB: Jameis Winston
RB1: Alvin Kamara
RB2: Tony Jones
WR1: Deonte Harris
WR2: Ty Montgomery
WR3: Marquez Calloway
TE1: Adam Trautman
New England Patriots Analysis
The most intriguing thing about the Patriots this season is their offensive game plan. In the first year of the McDaniels-Jones regime, I expected the Patriots to be a run-first, defensive-minded team. While Damien Harris has been incredible through the first two weeks, the offense has dropped back on 57.8% of plays.
Of course, they haven’t let Mac Jones cook yet. Against the Jets, Jones averaged just 6.2 air yards per attempt, and the whole offense averaged just 4.8 yards per pass play.
They ran a dink-and-dunk offense, and they often looked to James White out of the backfield. White was great, catching six balls for 45 yards, including this screen that he brilliantly turned into 28 yards.
James White is such a weapon. So fun to watch. (Via @BenBrownPL) pic.twitter.com/F49cA76shS
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) September 19, 2021
Against the Jets, however, the Patriots didn’t need to spread it out. The defense forced four interceptions and two turnover on downs, plus they stopped the Jets on both their red-zone attempts.
Through two weeks, the Patriots rank third in Defense DVOA, including second in Pass Defense DVOA. It’s been against two average-at-best offenses, but Winston should still be shaking in his boots.
New England Patriots Depth Chart
QB: Mac Jones
RB1: Damien Harris
RB2: James White
WR1: Jakobi Meyers
WR2: Nelson Agholor
WR3: Kendrick Bourne
TE1: Jonnu Smith
New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots Daily Fantasy Picks
Given the context of this game, there are not a lot of good DFS options. However, one name I’d look at is James White.
White should be a big part of the passing game again this week. He’s caught 12 passes through two weeks for almost eight yards per reception. Plus, he got five carries in the Week 2 contest, and might even get another goal-line carry this week.
Plus, through two weeks, the Saints defense ranks 30th in Pass Defense DVOA vs. RBs. They’ve let Christian McCaffery, Aaron Jones, and AJ Dillon combine for nine receptions through two weeks.
White has big pass-catching potential as well as some touchdown upside. If I’m going to target anyone in this matchup, it’ll be Sweet Feet.
James White through two games:
– 12 catches (2nd most among RBs)
– 94 receiving yards (3rd most among RBs)
– 1 rushing touchdown
Outstanding start to the season. 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/wXTFOfAUxi
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) September 20, 2021
- Bills @ Rams
- Saints @ Falcons
- Browns @ Panthers
- 49ers @ Bears
- Steelers @ Bengals
- Eagles @ Lions
- Colts @ Texans
- Patriots @ Dolphins
- Ravens @ Jets
- Jaguars @ Commanders
- Giants @ Titans
- Chiefs @ Cardinals
- Raiders @ Chargers
- Packers @ Vikings
- Buccaneers @ Cowboys
- Broncos @ Seahawks
