Week 3 of the NFL season is here, and there are plenty of terrific matchups on the schedule. The Seattle Seahawks are hosting the New Orleans Saints this weekend, and it should still be a terrific game despite some injury issues. Both of these teams were in the playoffs a season ago, and they are both shooting for that again this season.
Seattle comes into this game with a perfect 2-0 record, but each game has been a challenge. The Seahawks survived an upset scare from the Bengals in Week 1 before knocking off the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.
New Orleans is 1-1 on the season after a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2. The Saints are also dealing with a ton of injuries heading into this game. Seattle is a four-point favorite in this game.
No Brees For Saints
Drew Brees will not be under center for the New Orleans Saints in this game, and that will be a huge loss for the offense. Brees is the all-time leader in passing yards in NFL history, and this team was built around him. Quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill will likely split time at the position, and each brings something different to the table. Bridgewater threw for 165 yards off the bench in Week 2, and Hill is a talented runner with elite athleticism.
A bigger problem for the Saints might be the play of their defense so far this season. New Orleans is allowing 27.5 points per game, although they have taken on two terrific offenses so far this season. The Saints have recorded a whopping nine sacks this season, and getting pressure on Russell Wilson will be a huge key in this game.
Wilson Continues to Carry Seahawks Offense
Wilson continues to defy odds and lead his team to victories despite not getting much help from the rest of his offense. Wilson has completed over 78 percent of his passes so far this season and has thrown five touchdown passes to zero interceptions. The Seahawks have allowed Wilson to be sacked eight times already this season, and that must change as the season goes on. Seattle is also running for more than 115 yards per game, and that could be a huge weapon in this game.
The Seahawks defense has not yet played its best game, but the offense has bailed them out a few times already. Seattle has recorded six sacks of its own, and they could make life difficult for the backup quarterbacks that the Saints will be throwing out there. If the Seahawks defense can put up a low number, Wilson should be able to do the rest.
Seattle Beats Banged-Up New Orleans Team
This would have been one of the best matchups in the NFL this weekend, but the loss of Brees really puts a damper on things. Winning in Seattle is never an easy task, and the Saints will have to try to get it done without a future Hall of Fame quarterback. The Seahawks have not looked great this season, but they are going to get their third straight win of the year. Bet the Seattle Seahawks -4.0 over the New Orleans Saints in this game.
