New Orleans Saints Opponent Preview: Week 1

We begin a series of articles previewing the Saints regular season opponents, starting in Week 1.

Week 1: vs the Oakland Raiders

Our friends over at Silver and Black Pride contributed this piece, listing all of the biggest additions/subtractions from the Raiders this offseason:

Notable free agent additions:

OG Kelechi Osemele, LB Bruce Irvin, CB Sean Smith, S Reggie Nelson

Notable free agent departures:

S Charles Woodson (retirement), DE Justin Tuck (retirement), OL J'Marcus Webb

Trades:

None

Draft picks expected to contribute as rookies:

S Karl Joseph (D-1), DL Jihad Ward (D-2), LB Shilique Calhoun (D-3), RB DeAndre Washington (D-5)

Biggest offseason addition:

OG Kelechi Osemele - He fills a glaring need the team had at the guard position. They now have one of the best interior offensive lines in the NFL with him, Rodney Hudson, and Gabe Jackson. Osemele can also be the backup left tackle as he was in Baltimore in case 33-year-old Donald Penn wears down as it seemed he was late last season.

Biggest storyline heading into training camp:

Derek Carr has the same coaching staff for the first time as a pro along with the same receivers. I mean everyone is back -- his top four wide receivers as well as his top three tight ends, and even starting running back. That continuity should allow him to take another step forward in his development.

Under-the-radar storyline heading into training camp:

The rebuilt secondary with the addition of Sean Smith and Reggie Nelson along with rookie Karl Joseph. Smith and David Amerson make up a very stout starting cornerback duo, with TJ Carrie and DJ Hayden battling for the nickel job. Nelson is reunited with Jack Del Rio who drafted him in Jacksonville. He led the league in interceptions last year and takes over for Charles Woodson. Nate Allen returned on a one-year deal after heading to IR twice last season, but he isn't expected to start. Quite a different story for the secondary than last year's weak group.

Notable injuries heading into training camp:

Those who weren't seen in offseason practices were Denico Autry, Roy Helu Jr, and Reggie Nelson. Their statuses are uncertain. All others are expected back for camp.

The Carr-Cooper connection has the potential to grow into one of the top QB-WR duos in the entire NFL. Former Seattle Seahawk Bruce Irvin could have a 10+ sack season, and threatens to be a menace to Saints QB Drew Brees all game long.

So what says you, you unbiased Saints fans? Do the Saints win this game, the season opener at home in the Dome, or do the Raiders pull off the upset, leaving the Saints stumbling out of the gate?