Now that we’ve seen what analysts from different media outlets think about the Tennessee Titans’ Week 1 game against the New Orleans Saints, it’s time for our staff to make its picks.
In our experts round up that was published on Friday, 26 of the 41 analysts we gathered chose the Saints over the Titans. We also know that sportsbooks believe New Orleans will win this game.
Buy Titans TicketsAs if we should’ve expected any different.
Making picks for us here at Titans Wire in 2023 will be our lead contributor, Shaun Calderon, and myself, managing editor Mike Moraitis.
Safe to say, both of us are higher on the Titans than the aforementioned experts. Here are our picks and score predictions for Week 1.
Shaun Calderon
I believe this game ends up being a nail-biter throughout, but in the end, I think Tennessee finds a way to squeak one out in a hostile environment.
Look for Jeffery Simmons and Co. to be disruptive on the defensive side of the ball while DeAndre Hopkins has a monster game in his own right as the Titans head back to Nashville with a 1-0 record.
Final score: Titans 23, Saints 17
Mike Moraitis
I’m expecting a slow start for both of these offenses, especially through the air.
It’s going to take some time before Derek Carr is at his best with a new team in a new offense, and the Titans will experience growing pains with a new offense and completely revamped offensive line that will take time to gel.
But the Titans should be able to exploit a Saints run defense that not only finished as a bottom-10 unit in 2022, but also lost some key pieces on the inside this offseason.
New year, same method of victory: Derrick Henry will have a big day, the run defense will make the Saints one-dimensional and the Titans’ pass-rush will handle the rest while forcing a few picks from Carr in his debut.
Final score: Titans 20, Saints 17
