Houston (1-1) at New Orleans (2-0)
When: Sunday, August 27th, 2023
Where: Caesars Superdome,
New Orleans, LA
Time: 8:00 ET | TV: FOX
Opening Odds: New Orleans -3.5/37.5
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The 2023 NFL preseason schedule concludes this Sunday night when the New Orleans Saints host the Houston Texans on FOX. New Orleans opened up as 3.5-point home favorites with a total of 37.5. The Over/Under has inched up to 38, while the spread is now down to 2.5.
Texans’ head coach DeMeco Ryans has yet to name a starter for Week 1, so we will see a battle on Sunday night between C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills. Stroud, the second-overall pick in the draft, will get the start in New Orleans, but expect to see both quarterbacks for the majority of the game.
The Saints are set with Derek Carr as their Week 1 starter, so there’s no need for him to play on Sunday. Instead, New Orleans will go with capable backup Jameis Winston against the Texans. The Saints are coming off a 22-17 win at the L.A. Chargers last week to improve to 2-0 in the preseason, while Houston was crushed by the Miami Dolphins 28-3.
Stroud looked more comfortable last week in his second game, going 7-of-12 for 60 yards. Ryans was encouraged with what he saw on some of the plays. Mills didn’t put up great numbers with his time against the Miami defense. Mills went 10-of-22 for 94 yards. Third overall pick Will Anderson recorded a sack and forced fumble on the same play, while fellow rookie Tank Dell (wide receiver) sat out with an injury and may not go Sunday.
Winston and Jake Haener helped move the ball well last week against the Chargers, only to come up short several times. Rookie Blake Grupe started the night by connecting on two field goals, followed by Will Lutz knocking three down. Running back Kendre Miller scored the only touchdown on a run. Winston ended the night by completing 13-of-21 passes for 169 yards.
New Orleans’ offense has looked good so far this preseason under Winston and I think that continues on Sunday. Stroud and Mills really struggled last week and might make more mistakes this week in their attempts to win the starting job.
Pick: Saints -2.5
