Texans at Saints 9/9/19 - NFL Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 09/09/2019 at 11:12 AM ET

The Houston Texans visit Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to play the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football in Week 1 of the NFL regular season. The Texans were 11-5 in 2018 and won the AFC South. Deshaun Watson returns under center for the Texans while top running back Lamar Miller was hurt during preseason and will not play. DeAndre Hopkins is the top returning wide receiver. J.J. Watt leads a stout Texans defense, but Jadeveon Clowney remains a holdout and will not play.

The New Orleans Saints won the NFC South last season with a 13-3 mark, but lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship. Drew Brees and the Saints top skill position players Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas return. New Orleans added tight end Jared Cook to their arsenal of targets for Brees. Latavius Murray was signed to back up Kamara at running back. The Saints defense improved over the offseason with the additions of Malcom Brown and Mario Edwards Jr. 

Last season Deshaun Watson threw for 4,165 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while also rushing for 551 yards and five touchdowns. Leading rusher Lamar Miller was lost to a knee injury and Duke Johnson is likely the replacement the Texans will use to start the season. DeAndre Hopkins leads all returning receivers with 115 receptions for 1,572 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Drew Brees threw for 3,992 yards, 32 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2018. Alvin Kamara led all rushers with 883 yards and 14 touchdowns, while also catching 81 passes for 709 yards and four touchdowns. The leading receiver returning from last season is Michael Thomas who caught 125 passes for 1,405 yards and nine touchdowns.

New Orleans started last season off poorly with a loss in Week 1 but went on to win nine straight. The Saints have nearly the same nucleus on offense from last season expect for Mark Ingram who left to play with Baltimore. Houston has the dual-threat of Deshaun Watson under center. Watson will keep this matchup close with his scrambling and pinpoint passes to DeAndre Hopkins. Take the points and the road dogs. Final Score Prediction, New Orleans Saints win but fall short ATS 27-21.

Download the Picks and Parlays Mobile App

Get A free VIP Pick Daily!