Our staff picks are in, with bold predictions and the final score for the New Orleans Saints‘ home game with the New York Jets in Week 16. How do you see this one playing out at the Caesars superdome? Here are our takes.
Saints 29, Jets 10
The New Orleans Saints are coming off two strong performances against division rivals and may have finally found their long-term answer at quarterback. Tyler Shough has continued to elevate the team down the stretch, even while working with a talent-deficient offense. This week against the Jets, Shough will be tested further as the Saints will be without running back Devin Neal and wide receiver DeVaughn Vele. Despite those absences, the matchup still favors New Orleans. The Jets appear to be playing toward securing the No. 1 overall pick, creating an opportunity for the Saints to secure a third straight victory. Expect New Orleans to control the game on both sides of the ball and continue its late-season momentum. Bold prediction: Tyler Shough throws for three touchdowns, the first three-TD game of his career. — Luke Loffredo
Saints 24, Jets 10
New Orleans is a battered unit offensively, which would be a monumental concern if this weren’t the New York Jets. The Jets are an abysmal mess on both sides of the ball who are playing like they’ve just given up given their results over the last two weeks. The Saints will win this game defensively, where they face arguably the least talented offense in the NFL. Breece Hall could be a concern if he gets into space, but New Orleans should be able to overwhelmed New York’s joke of a passing game. Bold prediction: The Saints force four turnovers and score a defensive touchdown. — Bob Rose
Saints 35, Saints 20
In all honestly this matchup could be closer or lower scoring than this prediction, but given the fact that the New York Jets traded away many of their core defenders and will be shaken up by a new starting quarterback, it feels as though the New Orleans Saints have the edge here. Both sides are missing talent either via injury or just general lack thereof, so it could be a pretty slow and monotonous trudge of a matchup, but hopefully not. Bold prediction: What is even constituted as a bold prediction anymore with these teams? An intriguing one would be the two teams combining to accrue 4+ turnovers in this game, which is certainly attainable given how Brady Cook has performed and how lackluster the supporting cast is around Tyler Shough. — Jeremy Trottier
Saints 20, Jets 10
I don’t think the Saints have the firepower to run up the score after losing Devaughn Vele and Devin Neal to injured reserve (and with Alvin Kamara down another week), but I do think New Orleans is the better team. Especially defensively, where they should have a big advantage against the NFLs’ worst passing attack. The Jets just don’t have enough NFL-quality players involved in that phase of the game. New Orleans should win this one, but it shouldn’t be a blowout. Chris Olave might set a single-game record for targets. Bold prediction: Brandon Staley’s defense holds the Jets to under 100 total yards of offense for the second time this season. — John Sigler