Fansided

NFL Week 1: 5 best games of the weekend

By Matt Verderame

Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) passes the ball against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) passes the ball against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 15, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in the first quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in the first quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Oakland Raiders at New Orleans Saints

This could be the most entertaining game on Sunday. New Orleans always knows how to put points on the board, especially in the raucous Superdome. Meanwhile, the Raiders are coming into the season with an incredible amount of hype behind them for the first time in over a decade.

This won’t be an easy game for Oakland. The Saints are still weak defensively but should have a better scheme under former Raiders head coach, Dennis Allen. New Orleans will need to put pressure on quarterback Derek Carr to keep him from exposing a poor secondary, something that won’t be easy with Oakland’ exceptional front.

On the other side, the Saints should be able to put up yardage and points on Oakland. The Raiders invested many millions this offseason on that side of the ball in Sean Smith, Bruce Irvin and Reggie Nelson, but it hasn’t come together yet. Oakland has been burned throughout the preseason and still lacks depth at the corner spot behind Smith.

One of these teams could easily put up 30 points and lose. For the Saints, getting off to a quick start at home is essential after such a miserable 2015. For the Raiders, a loss here against a team not expected to reach the postseason would put a damper on the rampant hype train.

Next: No. 3

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