The Tennessee Titans will make their long-awaited 2023 season debut on Sunday when they travel to the Caesars Superdome to take on the New Orleans Saints, with kickoff set for noon CT.
The Titans and Saints are coming off a disappointing 7-10 season that saw them miss the playoffs in 2022.
Buy Titans TicketsSince then, each team has made some significant changes in the hopes of improving upon their 2022 results, and as a result both squads are certainly contenders for a division crown.
Considering the Titans are on the road, it comes as no surprise that Tennessee is the underdog, with the Saints being three-point favorites ahead of Sunday, per BetMGM.
NFL.com
Ali Bhanpuri: Saints
Tom Blair: Saints
Brooke Cersosimo: Saints
Gennaro Filice: Saints
Dan Parr: Titans
CBS Sports
Pete Prisco: Saints 23, Titans 17 – “The Titans will come in with their physical style and try to steal a road game to start the season. They have a new-look offense under new coordinator Tim Kelly. This will be Derek Carr’s first start as the Saints quarterback, and I think he will get off to a good one. It won’t be easy, but the Saints and Carr will find a way late to win it.”
Will Brinson: Titans
Jared Dubin: Titans
Ryan Wilson: Saints
John Breech: Titans
Tyler Sullivan: Saints
Dave Richard: Saints
Jamey Eisenberg: Saints
Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report’s Week 1 picks
Gary Davenport: Titans
Brad Gagnon: Saints
Ian Hanford: Saints
Kristopher Knox: Saints
Maurice Moton: Saints
Wes O’Donnell: Titans
Brent Sobleski: Titans
ESPN
Matt Bowen: Saints
Mike Clay: Saints
Jeremy Fowler: Saints
Dan Graziano: Saints
Kimberly A. Martin: Saints
Eric Moody: Saints
Jason Reid: Titans
Lindsey Thiry: Titans
Sam Wickersham: Titans
MMQB
Albert Breer: Saints
Mitch Goldich: Titans
Claire Kuwana: Titans
Gilberto Manzano: Saints
Conor Orr: Titans
John Pluym: Saints
Matt Verderame: Saints
Pro Football Talk
Pro Football Talk’s Week 1 picks
Chris Simms: Titans 20, Saints 17
Simms: Titans 20, Saints 17
Sporting News
Vinnie Iyer: Saints 23, Titans 13 – “Derek Carr gets a change of scenery in New Orleans and will get to open up the passing game with Chris Olave and others with Alvin Kamara suspended early. The Titans are tough against the run, but will struggle vs. Carr’s diverse targets. On the flip side, New Orleans still has enough in its front seven and secondary to contain Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill.”
Bill Bender: Saints 30, Titans 27 – “The Saints are at home for Derek Carr’s debut, and that should make a difference for an offense that averaged 19.4 points per game last season. New Orleans also made some key additions on defense through a draft that added depth with Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey. That helps against the Titans and Derrick Henry. Carr earns high marks for a solid debut.”
The 33rd Team
Ryan Reynolds: Saints 27, Titans 24 – “This contest has two interesting matchups that will ultimately determine how this game plays out. Derek Carr’s passing attack could conceivably light up the Tennessee Titans’ very beatable secondary. If the New Orleans Saints exceed expectations on offense, it’s likely through the air. Last season, the Saints allowed the ninth-most rushing yards per game to running backs. Derrick Henry isn’t just a successful runner, he’s a unique experience given his size and speed. Against New Orleans, the Big Dog has a good matchup against an uncommon opponent. On top of that, Tennessee is more of a threat to throw after signing DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. If the Saints load the box, Ryan Tannehill can hurt them, especially off play action.”
Overall expert tally
Number of experts picking Saints: 26
Number of experts picking Titans: 15
