The New Orleans Saints are not a great team, but they also aren't as bad as a team like the Cleveland Browns. In other words, Seattle might have a tougher time getting a victory than most expect. Mike Macdonald and his players should win, but let's not expect a blowout.
New Orleans also got a bit of help from a former (and recent) Seahawk this week, too. Offensive lineman Sataoa Laumea, who was a late-round draft pick for Seattle just last season, didn't make the roster this year and was released. The Saints have snapped him up.
There are good parts of this for Seattle, though. New Orleans needs a lineman now because they are struggling with injuries already. Dillon Radunz, for instance, has a toe injury and didn't practice on Wednesday. Laumea isn't the player that Radunz is, so if he plays, Seattle's defensive line has the advantage.
Former Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Sataoa Laumea signs with the New Orleans Saints
Of course, Laumea does know what the Seahawks are trying to do offensively. Sure, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak worked as the OC for the Saints last year, but he likely made some tweaks to his scheme, and Laumea might know those.
Still, it's the play on the field that ultimately matters. New Orleans has a decent defense (on paper), but if Seattle executes, it doesn't matter if New Orleans knows the scheme well or not. They should know that simply from watching game film.
Plus, the Seattle Seahawks are probably going to win a bunch of games this season because of their defensive prowess. Laumea, as hard as he works and has probably exceeded many expectations of his NFL career because he has stuck around in the league for his second season, isn't a good player.
If he is matched up against Jarran Reed, Byron Murphy II, and Leonard Williams, Seattle is going to dominate that aspect. If - and this is a big if - Seattle's offense struggles against the Saints, the Seahawks' defense should be good enough to dominate and limit the Saints.
Seattle should win simply by scoring more than a low-scoring New Orleans team. Sataoa Laumea can't change that.