When you think about the Saints, you think about a high powered aerial attack that plays at an extremely accelerated pace. In the past three years, the Saints have been in the top five teams in the league in plays per game and their 7-9 record was the result. Some teams can play fast, but this recipe hasn't tasted well to the Saints in the last few seasons. Just last year they were at the very top with an average of 69.1 plays per game. If you analyze the team that won the super bowl in the 2009-2010 season, they were in the middle of the pack ending 12th overall averaging 63.7 snaps a game. This year, they are 15th averaging 63.8, which leads many to believe, the success of the team and the current run has to be credited to the balanced attack. Drew Brees's pass yards are down from the past few seasons, but the team's rush yards are up to 142 yards per game. This team is very similar to that of the one who raised the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Miami.
The year New Orleans won the Super Bowl, they scored 510 total points (31.8 ppg); this year they are averaging 29.3 points a game ranking them 4th in the league.
2009-2010 Saints -403.8 yards a game. 131 rush 272 pass
2017-2018 Saints- 409.3 yards a game. 142 rush 267 pass
This team also replicates the team that won Super Bowl XLIV and a few winning years after on the defensive side of the ball. Through 11 games this season, the New Orleans defense has allowed 222 points. That's 20.2 points a game they are surrendering putting them on pace to end at 323.2 for the year. That mark would better that of the Super Bowl-winning squad that allowed 341 points in the regular season (21.3 per game).
The Saints are marching at the moment and look for them to continue the stable attack, keeping defenses off balance and Drew Brees off his back.
That year the Saints beat the Vikings in the NFC Championship game 31-28 in overtime. Could we see the same matchup this year?
Most Bet Teams
Patriots 87%
Packers 85%
Raiders 73%
Steelers 72%
Saints -4 (buy the hook if 4.5)
The Saints had their winning streak finally snapped last week by the Rams 26-20. The difference in this game was the absences of both Ken Crawley and Marshon Lattimore. Both players were limited this week in practice and are questionable with Crawley looking more likely to play. The Panthers needed 14 non-offensive points in the second half vs. the Jets to cover the spread last week. If you didn't watch the game and just saw the score, you would think Carolina handeled business. Things went the opposite way, and the Jets held the lead in the second half after Robbie Anderson's second touchdown of the game. Then came the two fortunate scores with Cam Newton sitting on the sideline for both. Saints are 8-1 straight up the last nine games this year and are 6-3 ATS in those games. The Saints have covered the last 5 in this series and teams favored are 18-6 straight up. When these teams met in Week 3, New Orleans pounded Carolina 34-13. Although I don't think it will be the same margin, look for the Saints to score consistently, and I don't see the Panthers keeping up. One thing to note, the last two meetings in the Superdome have ended in shootouts, 41-38. Play the over.
Seahawks +6
Who have the Eagles beaten? Philadelphia is on a nine-game winning streak and covered their last eight. During this win streak, they have had some soft spots playing the Giants (2-9), at Chargers (5-6), Cardinals (5-6), at Panthers (8-3), Redskins (5-6), 49ers (1-10), Broncos (3-8), at Cowboys (5-6), and Bears (3-8). Their average margin of victory this year has been 32-17. The lines have been inflated the last few weeks, and the Eagles continue to crush the number. So bettors and joe public continue to ride the hot hand. In May, when this line opened, the Seahawks were favored by 7. Now there is a -13 point swing with no quarterbacks being hurt? Is this number being driven by the public after opening at 4? Since Russell Wilson took over his rookie year, the Seahawks have been favored in 41 of 45 home games. The 12th man is 36-9 in those 45 games and have never lost by more than 7. Since Pete Carroll took over as coach in 2010, the Seahawks have been an underdog of three or more points a total of thirteen times, and in those games, they've gone 9-4 straight-up and 11-2 ATS. This number is inflated and being driven by public perception and money. I believe it should be more around the 3-3.5 mark.
Action:
Panthers/Saints over 48
Falcons-3
Packers PK
Browns/Chargers over 43
Teasers
7 Point
Chargers-7/Patriots-2
Chargers-7/Oakland-1.5
10 point
Chargers-4/Saints over38/Seattle+16
Chargers-4/Jaguars PK/Patriots+1
Pass:
Chargers-14
Really wanted to keep fading the Browns but 14 seems like so much. There will be motivation from the Chargers and no letdown as the last win for the Browns came vs. the Chargers.
For any questions or comments reach me at @JerryBoKnowz on twitter.
