Through two weeks of the season, both New England and New Orleans have experienced ups and downs.
The Saints put together an offensive rout of Green Bay in Week 1 anchored by a five touchdown and zero interception game from Jameis Winston, who then regressed in Week 2, completing just 50 percent of his passes while throwing no touchdowns and two interceptions.
New Orleans has also struggled to get Alvin Kamara going as the star running back has just 121 total yards of offense through the first two weeks.
In New England, all eyes have been firmly affixed on rookie quarterback Mac Jones, who was named the starter prior the season and has put up solid, but not gaudy numbers, completing just over 73 percent of his passes with one touchdown and 467 yards through the first two weeks.
MORE: NFL odds entering Week 3
The Patriots defense has stepped up to remove some pressure from Jones, wracking up six sacks and five interceptions. That performance has allowed Jones to ease into his role without the need to put up massive numbers and keep pace in a high-scoring affair.
New England opens as just three-point favorites according to FanDuel, with a projected over/under of 42.5 points.
Both teams are 1-1 so far but in very different positions in the standings, with New England's record good enough for second place in the AFC East while New Orleans is squarely in third in the NFC South, with both Carolina and Tampa Bay undefeated.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Week 3 matchup:
MORE: Watch Patriots vs. Saints live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
What channel is Patriots vs. Saints on today?
- TV channel (national): Fox
- TV channel (New England): WFXT
- TV channel (New Orleans): WVUE-DT
- Live stream: Fox Sports App, fuboTV
The matchup between the Patriots and the Saints will air nationally on Fox and local channels. The game can also be streamed on the Fox Sports App and fuboTV.
Adam Amin will handle play-by-play duties with Mark Schlereth as the color analyst. Lindsay Czarniak will serve as the sideline reporter.
Patriots vs. Saints start time
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 26
- Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
The Patriots vs. Saints are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET. The Patriots will host the Saints at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
WEEK 3 NFL PICKS: Straight up | Against the spread
Saints schedule 2021
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff Time (ET) | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 12 | vs. Packers (in Jacksonville) | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| 2 | Sept. 19 | @ Panthers | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 3 | Sept. 26 | @ New England | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 4 | Oct. 3 | vs. Giants | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 5 | Oct. 10 | @ Washington | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 6 | BYE | - | - | - |
| 7 | Oct. 25 | @ Seahawks | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| 8 | Oct. 31 | vs. Buccaneers | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| 9 | Nov. 7 | vs. Falcons | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 10 | Nov. 14 | @ Titans | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 11 | Nov. 21 | @ Eagles | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 12 | Nov. 25 | vs. Bills | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 13 | Dec. 2 | vs. Cowboys | 8:20 p.m. | Fox/NFL Networ/Amazon |
| 14 | Dec. 12 | @ Jets | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 15 | Dec. 19 | @ Buccaneers | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 16 | Dec. 27 | vs. Dolphins | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| 17 | Jan. 2 | vs. Panthers | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 18 | Jan. 9 | @ Falcons | 1 p.m. | Fox |
Patriots schedule 2021
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 12 | Dolphins | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 2 | Sept. 19 | @Jets | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 3 | Sept. 26 | Saints | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 4 | Oct. 3 | Buccaneers | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 5 | Oct. 10 | @Texans | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 6 | Oct. 17 | Cowboys | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 7 | Oct. 24 | Jets | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 8 | Oct. 31 | @Chargers | 4:05 p.m. | CBS |
| 9 | Nov. 7 | @Panthers | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 10 | Nov. 14 | Browns | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 11 | Nov. 18 | @Falcons | 8 p.m. | Fox |
| 12 | Nov. 28 | Titans | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 13 | Dec. 6 | @Bills | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| 14 | -- | BYE | -- | -- |
| 15 | TBD | Colts | TBD | TBD |
| 16 | Dec. 26 | Bills | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 17 | Jan. 2 | Jaguars | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 18 | Jan. 9 | @Dolphins | 1 p.m. | CBS |