The New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans will square off Thursday in Nashville. This is the final pre-season game for both teams. The Saints come into the game with a 2-2 record in pre-season. The Titans have played three games; winning two of them. New Orleans is the defending NFC South champion, and are again favorite this season, if they can solve some of their early season question marks. Tennessee is not the favorite out of the AFC South, but feel like they can be right there in case the Houston Texans stumble as the huge favorites.

The Tennessee Titans will have a different look in 2012. Behind center will be Jake Locker. Locker was the back-up for Matt Hasselback a season ago. Locker will look to get Chris Johnson off the ground running early this season. Johnson did not have a very good 2011 season. Tennessee is coming off a pre-season win over Arizona. Before that, the Titans beat Tampa Bay on the road, and in the opener they lost to the Seattle Seahawks. Tennessee opens up the regular season on September 9^th against the New England Patriots, in a tough early season challenge.

The New Orleans Saints have a ton of question marks, specifically concerning their new head coach. Their former coach Sean Peyton was suspended for a season for his part in the bounty hits started by former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. New Orleans locked up their quarterback Drew Brees for several more seasons. Brees has been a great quarterback, including throwing for 5,400 yards passing and 46 touchdowns. His top target a season ago was tight end Jimmy Graham. Graham finished the season with 11 passing touchdowns.

Odds and Sports Betting Line

New Orleans Saints +3.5

Tennessee Titans -3.5

Free Prediction

This should be an interesting game. Both teams will not show a ton, as they load up for the start of the regular season. The Saints defense has a ton of question marks, but they will get to face a lot of the Titans second team offense. Overall, New Orleans is a more talented team, which is why we are picking them to come away with the win in this game.

Prediction: New Orleans Saints 24-21

Free Pick

Our final pick in this game is the underdog New Orleans Saints. We just feel that the Saints will be able to put points on the board, and then on the defensive side, have plenty of guys that are still fighting for positions in the defense, where they can come up with some plays. We like the underdog New Orleans Saints +3.5.

Pick: New Orleans Saints +3.5