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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS VS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS LIVE STREAM - The New England Patriots began the 2017 season with a shocking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, who came into Foxborough and beat the defending champions soundly. The Saints will be looking to follow the same formula with Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara, another talented runner from this year’s rookie class, to get the victory. Watch NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS VS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS Live Stream free online on your PC, laptop, Mac, I-pad, Tab, Ps4/3, I-phone Android or any other online device. 

PATRIOTS VS SAINTS LIVE: http://watchnfl.org/

New England Patriots (0-1) -

Not a lot of things went right for the Pats in their shock 42-27 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. Tom Brady was uncharacteristically off as he went just 16-of-36 for 267 yards. His 44 percent completion percentage is actually dead-last in the NFL through one week. Brady also wasn’t helped by an offensive line which struggled to impose itself.

Meanwhile, the defense looked troublingly inept. Their front couldn’t generate any pressure whatsoever and was repeatedly gashed on the ground. The loss of linebacker Dont’a Hightower to a knee injury was a huge one, and it remains to be seen whether he will be risked this week.

But as bad as things looked on both sides of the ball for the Pats, it’s never a good idea to overreact to a bad Week 1 result, and an even worse idea to doubt Bill Belichick, especially with over a week to prepare. Even with key absentees, he should have his team ready to go for their visit to New Orleans.

After going up against the Chiefs’ very strong defense in Week 1, facing the Saints and their still-porous pass secondary which was torn to shreds by Sam Bradford and the Vikings offense should be a perfect matchup for Brady and the Pats offense to get back on track.

New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, LA

When: Sunday, September 17, 2017, 1:00 PM ET

TV Broadcast: CBS

New Orleans Saints (0-1) -

Adrian Peterson’s return to Minnesota did not go exactly as planned. His new team, the Saints, had some uncharacteristic offensive struggles and more characteristic defensive problems in their 29-19 defeat against the Vikings on Monday Night Football.

Peterson rushed for just 18 yards, which was actually tied for the team lead as the Saints struggled to create anything on the ground. With their patched up O-line struggling to get a decent push, they finished with just 60 yards on 21 carries.

Drew Brees once again did his best to keep the team in it, but even he didn’t seem at his best. Perhaps he was missing last year’s top target, Brandin Cooks, who will make his return to New Orleans with the Pats.

It’s entirely possible that Brees and the offense play better now that they get to go back home and they go from facing the Vikings’ imposing line to the Pats’.

However, it’s much more unlikely that the Saints’ troublesome defense can improve any further. And if this game comes down to which team can pull off enough stops, the Saints will struggle to produce on that end.

Three Things to Watch -

1. Any semblance of a rushing attack for the Saints?

It is a new season, yet it is the same old struggle for the Saints’ offense. Three tailbacks each carried the ball six or seven times against the Vikings for 17 or 18 yards apiece. None scored a touchdown. The paltry total: 60 rushing yards on 21 attempts for the entire offense.

The Chiefs’ rushing attack gashed the Patriots for 185 rushing yards, the most the Patriots have allowed since Week Seven of 2014. But it wasn't just the yardage total — it was the Chiefs' average gain of 6.9 yards per attempt that really hurt the Patriots. Considering that the Patriots allowed 100 or more rushing yards in two consecutive weeks only one time last season, no one should expect such repeated generosity from the Patriots’ defenders.

2. Tom Brady’s response to a sub-par performance -

Brady struggled through the season opener with a 44 percent completion percentage. He had not endured a similar performance since a two-point loss at Miami in the 2005 regular-season finale of 2005, when he completed only 3-of-8 pass attempts for 37 yards along with a touchdown and an interception, although with the AFC East title secured, he did not play the entire game. The following week, in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, he completed 15-of-27 passes attempts for 201 yards and three touchdowns, as the Patriots crushed the Jaguars 28-3.

On three other occasions, Tom Terrific had a lower completion percentage than he did in the 2017 NFL season opener. In 2003, New England managed to defeat the Giants on the road 17-6 in spite of Brady’s eight completions in 21 passing attempts for only 112 yards and no touchdowns. He followed up that meager effort with a win at home versus Miami with 24 completions on 34 attempts for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Later that season, the Patriots shut out the Cowboys, 12-0, despite Brady’s minimal contribution: 15-of-34 passing for 212 yards and no touchdowns. The next week at Houston, he connected on 29-of-47 passing attempts for 368 yards and two touchdowns in a victory. The following season, during a win at Miami, he had only seven completions in 19 attempts with one interception, though he did toss two touchdowns. In the next game, he led New England to a win in Seattle, going 19-of-30 for 231 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

3. Extra preparation time vs. home-field advantage -

The Patriots have nine days in between their previous game and this one. From 2013-16, they are 9–4 with more than six days to prepare for a game.

In contrast, the Saints have only five days to prepare, although what appears to be a glaring disadvantage has not proven to be so over the past four seasons.  The Saints have won 10 of their 12 contests following short weeks since Sean Payton returned from his one-year suspension.

In the four previous seasons, the Patriots’ record away from Foxboro is 22–12.  In that span, they have won all eight games played inside domed stadiums.

After finishing undefeated in the Superdome in 2013, the Saints’ invincibility at home has crumbled. Their record over the past three seasons in home games is 11–13. They have not had a winning record at home in any of those seasons.

Final Analysis -

Despite the bitter season opener, not all is bleak for the Patriots. Brady has shown that he never lets underwhelming passing performance carry over to the next game. Plus, the Patriots have demonstrated an aptitude for winning games on the road, particularly when the venues negate any potential weather issues.

Despite indications to the contrary, the Saints have not solved the problems bedeviling them over the past three seasons. Their defense struggles to pressure the opponent's quarterback. An inexperienced and struggling secondary cannot cover receivers. The Saints fall behind, then abandon their ho-hum rushing attack. Though Drew Brees and his crew can often pile up passing yards and score some points, those typically do not suffice. Additionally, the Superdome’s reputation as a hostile venue has not translated recently into more wins than losses at home.

Prediction: Patriots 34, Saints 20