MNF: Titans vs. Saints

Finally, the Saints will play their home opener tonight on Monday Night Football against the Tennessee Titans. After two tough loses on the road, the Saints look to get back on track in the Superdome. Last year, an emotional return to the city sparked a run to the NFC Championship game. Could tonight's game provide that same spark?

ESPN is promoting the game as Reggie Bush vs. Vince Young, but Saints fans know that the offense goes through Drew Brees and Deuce McAllister. The more of Deuce we see, the better the offense is playing. Reggie Bush is lagniappe at this point and so far he has disappointed. Deuce is the sparkplug and he needs to be fed the ball. Brees is the unquestioned leader in the huddle and needs to get over his frustrations and start throwing the ball downfield.

The Saints defense will have its hands full with Vince Young, Lendale White and Chris Brown. This rushing attack will give the Saints run defense fits, but the secondary should have a better day than the two previous games. The Titans rarely throw downfield, so if the Saints are giving up big plays in the passing game to them, this really could be a long year.

On special teams, kicker Olindo Mare will get to face the fans for the first time this season. He needs to start producing soon or the Saints will bring in another kicker. In a city that has seen some of football's best and most accurate kickers (Tom Dempsy, Morten Andersen, Doug Brien and John Carney) fans won't stick up for a kicker who keeps missing.

Prediction:
Titans 23
Saints 27