Eagles Saints Odds
Posted by Jimmy Boyd - Google+
The New Orleans Saints (2-5) host the Philadelphia Eagles (3-4) on Monday Night Football. Oddsmakers have listed the Saints as a three-point favorite and have set the total at 51.5.
Why New Orleans Covers
The Eagles have lost their last three games by an average of 6.0 points. They have given backers headaches all season as they are just 1-5-1 against the spread.
The Saints have won two of three since a 0-4 start and have covered the spread in three of their last four. Looking back, New Orleans has covered the number in 12 of its last 17 games. It is also on a 13-3 against the spread run at home.
The Saints have had the upper hand in the series lately as they have won three of the last four. They won 48-22 in Philadelphia Sept. 20, 2009 in the most recent meeting.
So often games are decided by which quarterback performs better down the stretch. Most would rather have Drew Brees running a two-minute drill if they had a choice between him and Michael Vick.
Brees has completed 59.7 percent of his passes for an NFC-high 2,310 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has a passer rating of 93.0.
Vick has completed 59.0 percent of his attempts for 1,823 yards with nine touchdowns and eight picked off. He has a quarterback rating of 78.6.
The Saints are the superior offensive team. They rank fifth in total offense with 388.6 yards per game and sixth in scoring with 27.1 points per game.
The Eagles rank 13th in total offense with 363.4 yards per game and 28th in scoring with 17.1 points per game.
Why Philadelphia Covers
The Eagles have lost three in a row, but two of those came by three points or less and the other came against the Atlanta Falcons – the only remaining unbeaten team in the NFL.
Five of Philadelphia’s games have been decided by three points or fewer so there’s a good chance this one could be close as well. With that strong possibility, taking the points could be a good option.
The Eagles have responded well following double-digit defeats at home. In fact, they have covered the spread in 14 of their last 20 games following such losses.
The Eagles have also routinely showed up on Monday Night Football. They are 4-1 against the spread in their last five Monday night games and 13-4 against the number in their last 17 Monday night road contests.
Philadelphia has won seven of the last 10 in this series both straight up and against the spread. It won 38-23 Dec. 23, 2007 the last time these two met in New Orleans. The Eagles are 4-1 against the spread in their last five meetings in New Orleans. Also, the underdog is 5-2 against the spread in the last 7 meetings.
The Eagles are far superior on defense. New Orleans ranks last in the NFL in total defense with 474.7 yards allowed per game and 30th in scoring defense with 30.9 points allowed per contest. Philadelphia ranks 12th in total defense with 339.6 yards allowed per game and 16th in scoring defense with 22.1 points allowed per game.
Philadelphia’s 10th-ranked rushing attack, which averages 117.7 yards per game, could spell trouble for a New Orleans’ defense that ranks 31st against the run with 170.1 yards allowed per game.
Leave a Reply