​The period of speculation, summer installation, and roster experimentation is officially over. On Monday morning at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center, head coach Kellen Moore met with the media to formally launch Week 1 game prep.The New Orleans Saints will board their charter flight to Michigan and catch air later this week to open the 2026 regular season against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, September 13. After two weeks of rapid-fire roster construction, highlighted by two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson securing the special teams job, running back Zamir White and defensive disrupter Colby Wooden arriving via trade and waivers, and corner Decamerion Richardson fortifying the secondary, the Saints enter game week with a set 53-man active ledger. As Moore and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley finalize their game plans, here are three critical questions facing the Black and Gold as they prepare for Sunday’s opener.1. How Does the Offense Dictate Pace Without Alvin Kamara?I look at the running back situation as tw-fold type of situation. With franchise running back Alvin Kamara sidelined on Thursday as he recovers from an August MCL sprain, the Saints’ Week 1 backfield blueprint belongs squarely to marquee free-agent addition Travis Etienne Jr. and second-year power runner Audric Estime.Detroit’s defensive front, led by Aidan Hutchinson, thrives on pinning its ears back against predictable drop-back passing looks. In Kellen Moore’s motion-heavy offense, Etienne’s 4.45 speed and natural pass-catching versatility out of the backfield serve as the ultimate equalizer. Etienne won’t just take handoffs; he will function as sophomore quarterback Tyler Shough’s primary relief valve against Detroit’s aggressive blitz packages.Pairing Etienne’s perimeter agility with Estime’s 227-pound frame between the tackles gives New Orleans a physical, control-the-clock ground attack capable of keeping Jared Goff and the high-powered Lions offense off the field.2. Can the Retooled Interior Line Stifle Detroit’s Run Game?Defensively, Brandon Staley faces a immediate litmus test against Detroit’s dominant interior offensive line.While veteran edge anchor Cameron Jordan and linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner lead the core front seven, the Saints’ depth along the interior line received a significant late-August overhaul. Second-round rookie nose tackle Christen Miller showcased a stout point-of-attack anchor during the preseason, and waiver wire claim Colby Wooden (17 career NFL starts) provides much-needed rotational experience. I think if Miller and Wooden can hold their ground against double-teams, Davis and Werner will have clear lanes to flow downhill and neutralize Detroit’s run-game momentum on early downs.3. Which Young Pass-Catcher Steps Up Behind Chris Olave?With top-10 overall pick Jordyn Tyson starting the season on Injured Reserve/Designated to Return with a hamstring strain, target distribution behind star wideout Ch