The New Orleans Saints have won their first two preseason games and will likely have their full arsenal of offensive weapons on hand to maintain their perfect record. Meanwhile, the winless Indianapolis Colts will also welcome their top receivers to play alongside star quarterback Andrew Luck.
Luck and Saints QB Drew Brees figure to be two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this upcoming 2014-2015 season, and they’ll get their final tuneups before the real action begins. Read on for more on this intriguing preseason showdown between the Saints and Colts.
[sc:Football ]New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
When: Saturday, August 23, 8:00 PM ET
Line: New Orleans Saints at Indianapolis Colts – see all NFL lines
Why This Game Matters
[sc:NFL240banner ]For the Saints, their key starters, including quarterback Drew Brees, make their first – and probably only – preseason appearance. This will give them the chance to shake off the rust after coming off their recent injuries.
And as for the Colts, Andrew Luck will get his first taste of playing with a full complement of receivers now that Reggie Wayne is likely to make his return from an ACL injury.
Betting on the New Orleans Saints
After sitting out the first two weeks of preseason due to an oblique injury, Saints quarterback Drew Brees is finally ready to take some snaps against the Colts. But while Brees was sidelined, an interesting battle has been brewing for his backup spot.
Second-year quarterback Ryan Griffin has put up some excellent numbers, with over 170 yards passing and almost 70% passing completion in both games thus far. Veteran Luke McCown hasn’t been too shabby himself, as he bounced back with 117 yards and two TDs against the Titans. This backup QB battle is set to continue onto this next preseason game against Indy.
Brees, as well as the two prospective backups, should have their full complement of receivers to throw to against the Colts. Top wide receivers, Marques Colston and Kenny Stills, who’ve sat out the first two games, are expected to play.
They will join star tight end Jimmy Graham and rookie receiver Brandin Cooks, both of whom have already impressed in preseason. Cooks had five catches for 55 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 vs. the St. Louis Rams, while Graham had five catches for 48 yards and two TDs (and two ill-advised goalpost dunks) against the Tennessee Titans.
Other starters, such as guard Jahri Evans and safety Jairus Byrd, have returned to practice after injury concerns, and are expected to feature against the Colts.
Betting on the Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck has been an ever present so far for the Colts in the preseason, racking up 142 yards and close to 70% completion with a touchdown in two games against the Jets and Giants.
Luck’s slowly but surely building up a rapport with his new receiving weapon, Hakeem Nicks, who’s also featured in both preseason games thus far. Nicks had a particularly impressive showing against his old team, the Giants, as he caught all five of his targets for 53 yards.
Veteran receiver Reggie Wayne is expected to play against the Saints, his first game since tearing his ACL last season. This should give Luck and head coach Chuck Pagano the opportunity to see how their suddenly stacked stable of receivers – Nicks, Wayne, and last year’s top receiver, T.Y. Hilton – perform at the same time.
However, another veteran in linebacker Robert Mathis, is not expected to feature in this game or possibly even in the rest of preseason. Mathis, who led the NFL last season with 19.5 sacks, will be suspended for the first four games of the season after testing positive for a banned substance.
Bjoern Werner has been starting in place of Mathis in order to prepare for the first month of the season without their lead pass rusher. Werner has shown signs of improvement throughout preseason and should keep his place against the Saints.
Writer’s Prediction
Brees’ backups shine bright after the starter sits as the Saints continue their perfect record in preseason. Create a betting account now and prepare to back the elite NFL quarterbacks all season long.
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