Bountygate was costly for the New Orleans Saints. They lost key pieces to suspensions, which included head coach Sean Payton. As a result, they posted their worst season of the four Peyton-Drew Brees years. The Saints were a mediocre 7-9 SU and 8-8 ATS last year, a far cry from the previous three years when they averaged 12 wins per season and made the postseason in each one.
For the second straight year Brees led the league in passing yards (5,177) and touchdowns (43) in the regular season. With Brees once again on target, the Saints were 1st in passing yards per game (312.3) and 3rd in the NFL in points per game (28.8).
With the return of Payton and with a single season passing yards record-holder Brees under center, the Saints are pegged to return to prominence this year. So much so that they are priced at +800 to win the NFC this year—the same line as the Atlanta Falcons and not very far off from the Green Bay Packers (+600) and Seattle Seahawks (+500). The New Orleans Saints’ 2014 Super Bowl odds are priced at +1800.
Key Betting matchups of 2013 NFL Season:
Week 14 and Week 16 vs. Carolina Panthers: Saints-Panthers games in the last four meetings average 65.8 PPG.
New Orleans Saints bettors should pay attention to:
– The Saints’ defense was essentially the worst in the NFL last year. New Orleans ranked 31st in passing yards allowed and 32nd rushing yards allowed last year.
