covers.com/pageLoader/pageLoader.aspx?page=/data/nfl/matchups/g1_summary_16.html STARTER REPORT Raiders: Oakland coach Hue Jackson wouldn’t say how long he’ll play his starters on Sunday against the Saints, but, judging by the general rule of thumb, bettors should count on the Raiders’ first-string offense playing the entire first half and maybe a drive or two in the third quarter. Newly signed rookie quarterback Terrelle Pryor is not expected to play against New Orleans but Jackson did say he’d give Pryor a few snaps in the Raiders’ exhibition finale. That means Oakland will stick to its regular QB rotation, with Jason Campbell leading the first team offense and Trent Edwards and Kyle Boller backing up the former Redskin. Campbell had to leave last week’s 17-3 loss to the Niners after getting knocked in the head, but he was back in practice on Tuesday and has been playing with Oakland’s starters all week.
Saints: New Orleans head coach Sean Payton told reporters his primary starters would play the first half “and then we’ll see where we are at
halftime to see what we’re going to do in the third quarter.”
INJURY REPORT The Saints will be without starters Lance Moore (WR), Roman Harper (S) and Sedrick Ellis (DT). The Raiders, meanwhile, won’t have newly signed CB Lito Sheppard or starting LB Rolando McClain suiting up Sunday. Running back Darren McFadden has been the star of the Raiders' camp but it’s unclear whether the Pro Bowler will see any preseason action because of how important he is to the offense. He broke his orbital bone at the start of August and only recently returned to full practices.
PRESEASON PERFORMANCE Silver and Black backers hope the club’s play in the preseason isn’t a sign of things to come. The Raiders have been uneven on offense and defense, losing to the Niners and Cardinals so far. Oakland’s biggest weakness so far is its run defense. The unit gave up 239 yards on the ground last week to San Fran and allowed over four yards per carry against Arizona, too. The Saints looked great in Week 1 but not as sharp last weekend against the Texans. Houston gained over 400 yards, most of which came against New Orleans’ first-string defense.
THING TO REMEMBER New Orleans is 4-0 SU and ATS in its last four Week 3 preseason games. The third week of the preseason is generally when starters play the most and coaches actually do a bit of game planning. The Raiders, on the other hand, are 0-3 SU and ATS in their last three Week 3 preseason games and were outscored 97-31 in the process, including a 45-7 beatdown at the hands of the Saints two years ago.