New Orleans @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 30, 2016 ) Seattle 20, New Orleans 25

The New Orleans Saints face a tough challenge without their future Hall-of-Fame quarterback when they visit the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Drew Brees underwent surgery on this throwing thumb, leaving Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill as the signal-callers at Seattle's raucous home venue.

Saints coach Sean Payton has declined to reveal who will start the game -- Bridgewater has made 29 career starts -- while insisting both quarterbacks will see action. "We'll have the right plan relative to what those guys are doing," Payton told reporters, also hinting that Hill's special-teams role may be reduced. "Look, these guys have been here now two seasons. It's just kind of taking a step back and looking at the things we want to do with those guys in the game and putting that plan in place this week in practice." Seattle middle linebacker Bobby Wagner expressed disappointment that Brees won't be playing, and coach Pete Carroll is mindful that he needs to guard against his team feeling complacent. "It's a game that calls for us to play really solid across the board," Carroll told reporters. "Everybody's got to show up. Everybody's got to do well because these guys can get you a lot of ways. We have a lot of respect for this opponent."

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Seahawks -4. O/U: 44.5

ABOUT THE SAINTS (1-1): Bridgewater completed 17-of-30 passes for 165 yards after replacing Brees in last week's 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and is looking to re-establish himself after a horrific knee injury just prior to the 2016 season cost him his starting job with Minnesota. "It just shows me how faithful God is," Bridgewater told reporters, adding he views the game as his first "meaningful" start since 2015. "And all the times that I may have questioned him and doubted, 'Will I ever get another opportunity?' He showed me how faithful he is to me. For me, it's just all about being myself." Wide receiver Michael Thomas (212 yards) caught 10 passes in each of the first two games and defensive end Trey Hendrickson is off to a stellar start with three sacks.

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (2-0): Russell Wilson (495 yards, five touchdowns) passed for 300 yards and three touchdowns in last Sunday's 28-26 victory over Pittsburgh, but the team's offensive line has allowed him to be sacked eight times in two games. Tyler Lockett (11 receptions, 123 yards, one touchdown) made a career-best 10 catches in Week 2, while DK Metcalf (seven catches, one score) leads the club with 150 receiving yards. Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson has registered two sacks while the unit ranks fourth against the run, allowing just 57.5 yards per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Saints have won three of the last four meetings, including a 25-20 home victory in 2016.

2. Seattle DE Ziggy Ansah (shoulder) is expected to make his franchise debut after recording 48 sacks in six seasons with Detroit.

3. New Orleans RB Alvin Kamara registered only 60 scrimmage yards against the Rams after compiling 169 in a season-opening win over Houston.

PREDICTION: Seahawks 30, Saints 13