This is probably not a good matchup for new head coach Tom Cable in his Raiders’ debut.  The Raiders will come out running the football against a Saints’ defense that stuffed Adrian Peterson and the Vikings last week.  Still, the Raiders will likely rotate Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush to keep all of them fresh.  The Raiders are averaging 155.0 yards rushing per game and 4.8 ypc so they should have some success as the Saints allow 107.0 yards rushing per game and 4.5 ypc.  QB JaMarcus Russell definately has the arm to get the ball deep and the Saints will be without rookie CB Tracy Porter who is out for the season due to surgery to repair a dislocated wrist.  TE Zach Miller is Russell’s favorite target in the passing game but Javon Walker or Ronald Curry could have a good game here to jumpstart their season.

The Saints will try to throw the ball downfield to get the lead early to take the Raiders out of there running game.  Devery Henderson (31.7 avg) and Robert Meachem (33.6 avg) have been getting down the field and the Saints will no doubt be attempting to stretch a Raiders’ defense that is allowing 212.8 yards passing per game.  WR Lance Moore and TE Billy Miller will handle the tough stuff over the middle of the field for Drew Brees (97.7 QB Rating) who is having a outstanding season.  The Raiders’ defense better be ready to deal with Reggie Bush who has 533 combined yards rushing and receiving already this season.

PREDICTION:  NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 30, OAKLAND RAIDERS 20

This game really hurt the Saints who outplayed the Vikings for the most part but still lost the game.  Drew Brees completed 26 of 46 passes for 330 yards and he had a TD pass, but, he also lost a fumble and threw two pickoffs.  Reggie Bush only rushed for 29 yards on 12 carries (2.4 ypc) and he caught 7 passes for 64 yards (9.1 avg).  But, Bush also returned 5 punts for 176 yards (35.2 avg) including a 71-yard TD return (3rd quarter) and a 64-yard TD return in the 4th quarter.  WR Devery Henderson also had a great game catching 4 passes for 104 yards (26.0 avg) with a TD.  The Saints finished up with 55 yards rushing on 22 carries (2.5 ypc) and they also completed 26 of 46 passes for 320 yards.

Linebacker Jonathan Vilma led a inspired defensive effort by the Saints with 10 tackles.  The Vikings finished with only 44 yards rushing on 26 carries (1.7 ypc) and they also completed 20 of 37 passes for 226 yards.  The special teams helped and hurt the Saints in this game as Bush’s TDs kept the team in the game.  But, Martin Gramatica missed a game tying field goal attempt late in the game and he also had a field goal blocked and returned 59 yards for a TD by the Vikings’ Antoine Winfield.  The Saints are now 2-3 on the season.

This should be a interesting game of contrasting styles especially on offense.  The Saints will try to throw the ball to get the lead and then grind it out on the ground.  The Vikings allow 207.5 yards passing per game so Drew Brees should have a decent game.  Brees will throw the short stuff to WR Lance Moore, TE Billy Miller and Reggie Bush out of the backfield.  But, he will take some shots deep to Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem who are both averaging over 35.5 yards per reception.  The Saints will still run the football some to keep the Vikings’ D honest with Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister and Pierre Thomas.  The Vikings only allow 71.8 yards rushing per game and 2.9 ypc.

The Saints have a very soft defense and the Vikings will be attacking it with the running game.  Look for Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor to get a lot of work agains a Saints’ D that is allowing 122.8 yards rushing per game and 5.2 yards per carry.  After the run game is established look for Gus Frerotte to take some shots down the field to Bernard Berrian and Bobby Wade against a Saints’ D that is allowing 249.3 yards passing per game.

PREDICTION:  MINNESOTA VIKINGS 31,  NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 27

The Saints have re-signed veteran QB Joey Harrington to serve as the #3 QB.  Harrington won’t see the football field unless both Drew Brees and Mark Brunell go down to injury.  But, it’s nice to have three veteran QBs on the roster because you never know in the NFL as all of them could be needed.

The Saints have lost rookie DT Sedrick Ellis for the next 2-4 weeks after he underwent surgery on his knee earlier this week.  Ellis has 9 tackles and a sack this season as he was very disruptive in the interior of the defense.  Brian Young will start in Ellis’ place and he has 1 tackle this season.  Losing Ellis will definately hurt the Saints’ defense against the run.