When we last saw the New Orleans Saints in the 2025 season, it was a dogfight to end the season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Though the Falcons got the win to finish 8-9, one thing was clear: the Saints felt they’d found their quarterback and coach. The 2026 season begins with them picking up where they left off. With a big Monday Night Football matchup against New Orleans in Week Four, what should Atlanta Falcons fans look for in New Orleans’ Week Three home game against the Kirk Cousins-led Raiders?
The New Orleans Saints believe they have solved their two biggest issues: head coach and quarterback. The end of the 2025 season and the beginning of the 2026 season are proving they may be right.
Tyler Shough, the 26-year-old quarterback out of Louisville, was drafted in the second round by the New Orleans Saints. Veteran quarterback Derek Carr‘s retirement gave Shough the chance to compete for the starting job. By the end of the season, he had won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for December and earned the starting quarterback job with the Saints.
The start of 2026 has not proven New Orleans wrong, as Shough was the catalyst in their one-point 30-31 overtime loss to the Lions to open the season, as well as their 24-17 comeback win over the Ravens in Week Two.
Shough and star wide receiver Chris Olave have become the centerpiece of the Saints’ offense. Olave had 182 yards against the Lions in Week One, and 86 yards and a touchdown in their comeback win against the Ravens in Week Two. Olave’s offensive gravity takes pressure away from other receivers, such as Juwan Johnson and Devon Vele. Their connection bodes well for the offense, considering they have a rushing issue, managing only 65 yards against Baltimore.
The Saints defense has always been a cornerstone of the team, and this year it’s showing they’re getting back into that form.
After allowing 31 points against the Lions to open the season, the Saints had a bounce-back day, holding Baltimore to 17 points. Their second half was especially impressive, allowing only three points and giving the Saints a chance to come back for the win. Their secondary isn’t amazing, but their front seven has always been the strength of their defense. This season, led by players like Chase Young.
The Raiders, for their part, are undefeated behind a quarterback Atlanta Falcons fans know quite well. Kirk Cousins seems to have rehabilitated his play in Las Vegas with wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and Dolphins. Cousins may be fully healed from his Achilles injury, or the Dolphins and Chargers may just be bad teams. It could very well be a combination of both. We will get a better idea this afternoon.
The Saints have the edge in this game; having beaten tougher opponents, they’re already battle-tested this season. The Raiders, on the other hand, have beaten two teams with several questions surrounding them, so while they’re 2-0, it doesn’t build confidence in what they could be this season. I’m predicting a 17-24 Saints victory. That would give Shough a birthday win while making the team 3-0 heading into Monday Night Football against the 1-2 Atlanta Falcons.
