The New Orleans Saints return to the Caesars Superdome for the first time this season after a 24-17 comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Their home opener brings another test against the undefeated Las Vegas Raiders, who have allowed just 27 combined points in wins over the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers.
Tyler Shough and Chris Olave headline the Saints' passing attack, though protecting the quarterback and slowing down Klint Kubiak's offense will be equally important. Here are 10 matchups that could determine Sunday's game.
1. Chris Olave vs Eric Stokes
Olave has opened the season with 18 catches for 268 yards and a touchdown, giving Shough a reliable focal point. Stokes is the main part of a secondary tasked with slowing that connection. Most of Olave's routes
through two games have come from out wide, which is where Stokes has seen his time, too. Moving Olave around and creating free releases could help New Orleans keep its top receiver involved without forcing throws into coverage.
2. Taliese Fuaga vs. Maxx Crosby
Keeping Crosby from wrecking possessions starts with Fuaga whenever the two line up from across each other. More than 80 percent of Crosby's pass-rush snaps have come from the left side of the defensive line, which would match him up with Fuaga, though Las Vegas can move him around if they can. Falling behind the chains would give Crosby more opportunities to attack Shough.
3. Asim Richards vs. the Raiders’ edge rotation
Kelvin Banks Jr.'s ankle injury puts Richards in a critical position protecting Shough's blind side. Kwity Paye is questionable with an illness, adding uncertainty to the Raiders' rotation. Regardless of who lines up opposite Richards, Las Vegas has reason to test New Orleans' replacement left tackle early.
4. Tyler Shough vs. the Raiders’ safeties
Shough enters Week 3 with 662 passing yards and four touchdown passes. Las Vegas will be without safety Treydan Stukes because of a concussion, leaving Isaiah Pola-Mao next on its depth chart alongside Jeremy Chinn. If Shough can recognize coverage and take advantage of opportunities to challenge the adjusted secondary, the Saints will have a much better chance of scoring 24+ points for a third straight week.
5. Travis Etienne Jr. vs. Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker
Etienne has no game designation after practicing at full capacity on Friday following a hamstring issue. His work as a receiver could give Shough an answer under pressure, forcing Dean and Walker to defend in space. Establishing Etienne on the ground would also help New Orleans avoid becoming predictable.
6. Kaden Elliss and Pete Werner vs Ashton Jeanty
Jeanty's contact balance makes tackling a priority for New Orleans' linebackers. Elliss and Werner need to close running lanes without overrunning the plan, then finish the tackle when they reach him—missed tackles, something Jeanty forces frequently, could turn manageable gains into sustained drives, giving Kubiak more freedom to run play-action.
7. Davon Godchaux vs. Tyler Linderbaum
The middle battle goes hand in hand with the linebacker battle. Both will help determine how much room Jeanty has to operate. Godchaux must resist displacement and keep Las Vegas from opening clean paths to the linebackers. With rookie defensive lineman Christen Miller ruled out because of a toe injury, New Orleans has one less option in its interior rotation.
8. Chase Young vs. Kolton Miller
Despite appearing on the injury report with a calf issue, Young has no game designation and is expected to play at full capacity. His opportunities against Miller could be crucial to disrupting Kirk Cousins before routes develop into explosive plays. New Orleans needs pressure that forces hurried decisions while remaining disciplined against the run and any play-action calls.
9. Justin Reid and the Saints’ coverage unit vs. Brock Bowers
Bowers, who hasn't played through two weeks, is questionable with a knee injury, so his availability remains a major variable. He underwent a meniscus trim just a few days before the start of the regular season. If Bowers plays, where he can line up — outside, in the slot, near the formation — will test New Orleans' communication. Reid and the LBs must limit yards after the catch without losing track of other receivers in the back half.
10. Kool-Aid McKinstry vs. Tre Tucker
Tucker's speed makes preventing explosive plays a priority whenever McKinstry draws the assignment. The Saints can't get too focused on Jeanty and the underneath passing game, or they'll allow receivers behind the coverage. Tucker did that Week 2 vs. the Dolphins, reeling in a 42-yard pass for a touchdown.
The Saints' clearest path is to give Shough enough time to sustain the passing game while forcing Las Vegas into obvious passing situations. That would let New Orleans' edge rushers attack Cousins and ease the pressure on its secondary. If the Saints protect their QB and tackle consistently, they have a chance to hand the Raiders their first loss.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints vs. Raiders: 10 key matchups to watch in Week 3
