NFL fans and betting players alike have watched Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints set a slew of records this season, but they’ll be out to erase last year’s playoff upset at the hands of Seattle when they host Detroit for the second time in a month.
Lions Saints Odds – Saturday, 8:00 PM ET
The Lions (10-5) reached the playoffs for the first time since 1999, and sportsbook reviews of their season would point towards their incredible duo in the passing game, quarterback Matt Stafford and receiver Calvin Johnson, as the main reason for their success. Detroit isn’t a very good running team, so they lean on their stars in the aerial attack, although you can add in players like Nate Burleson, Titus Young and Brandon Pettigrew. The defense, however, has struggled over the second half of the season and a good price per head player would blame it on penalties (the Lions have the third-most penalties in the league) and a knee injury suffered by safety Louis Delmas, which really hurt their pass defense.
The Saints (13-3) won the NFC South on the back of Brees, who set the record for most passing yards in a season, and he is the leader of an offense that has scored more points than everyone but Green Bay. They also have Darren Sproles, who set the record for most all-purpose yards in a season, a crew of receivers and a better rushing attack than you expect. The defense bends, but doesn’t break and have played very well down the stretch. Players that use betting sports news picks systems will remember the Saints’ loss in Seattle during last season’s wild-card round, which ended their Super Bowl title defense, and you know that the Saints remember it as well. That is why they wanted to get homefield advantage as they’re 8-0 SU and ATS in the Superdome.
That is also why the Saints are 10.5-point favorites at home for this game, and you also have to consider that the Lions fell 31-17 in New Orleans last month. Brees and Stafford both had excellent games, but Brees got the edge for no picks and three touchdowns, while Stafford had more yards, but only one touchdown and he was picked off. The Lions also shot themselves in the foot with 11 penalties, and they can’t afford to give the Saints extra chances, especially when Brees is on the field. The Saints also did a great job on Johnson, who had just six catches for 69 yards and they’ll need a similar performance, especially after Johnson racked up 244 yards against Green Bay in the regular-season finale. However, New Orleans is just too deep, too smart and they’re at home, so they should be able to cover the spread in these NFL betting lines.
