New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots Betting Odds
Carrie Stroup here with your New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots betting odds where the line was Pats -1.5. Claim your FREE BET here when you open an online wagering account with Sportsbook.com (in business since 1997).
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: New England -1.5 & 51.5
Opening Line & Total: -2 & 50
The unbeaten Saints seek a sixth straight win with a visit to New England on Sunday.
New Orleans is once again led by QB Drew Brees (344 pass YPG, 12 TD, 4 INT), but its defense continues to surprise with 14.6 PPG allowed (4th in NFL) and a league-low 25:22 time of possession. The Patriots once again hope to get TE Rob Gronkowski back on the field to help a sputtering offense ranked last in the NFL in goal-to-go efficiency (22%) and second-to-last in red zone efficiency (35%). Top RB Stevan Ridley, who missed last week's game with a thigh injury, is also expected to return. Patriots QB Tom Brady failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in 53 games in Sunday’s 13-6 loss, falling two games short of Brees’ NFL record. These teams have split their six meetings since 1992, but the Saints are 5-1 ATS in these matchups, including 3-1 ATS in Foxboro. Although Sean Payton is 25-14 ATS (64%) when facing a winning team as the Saints head coach, since taking the job in New England, Bill Belichick is 27-14 ATS (66%) versus teams that allow 17 PPG or less on the season.
Saints QB Drew Brees has completely dismantled the Patriots in his career, completing 47-of-65 passes (72%) for 723 yards (11.1 YPA), 8 TD and 0 INT during a perfect 3-0 record against them. He also enters this game coming off two mistake-free weeks, completing 59-of-74 throws (80%) for 701 yards (9.5 YPA), 6 TD and 0 INT. Brees is the biggest reason why his offense ranks second in the NFL in time of possession (34:37), fourth in total yards (405 YPG), and seventh in third-down conversions (44%). His top target continues to be TE Jimmy Graham, who has already gained 593 yards and 6 TD this season. Brees also likes to use his running backs in the passing game, as RBs Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles each have 30 targets that have led to a combined 474 yards and 3 TD through the air. This has helped make up for a horrible ground game that is averaging 3.1 yards per carry (4th-worst in NFL) and 77.8 rushing YPG (tied for 6th-worst in league). The Saints have committed just two turnovers over the past three games, and takeaways are what the Patriots defense thrives on with 10 already this year. Speaking of turnovers, the New Orleans defense has been pretty adept at making plays with multiple takeaways in four of its five games, which has certainly helped the unit post such low numbers in points allowed and time of possession. The Saints' pass rush has also improved greatly this season with 15 sacks, including 11 over the past three games. The injury bug has not been kind to the New Orleans defense this year with seven defenders on IR, and three others questionable for Sunday's game, S Roman Harper (knee) and DTs Tyrunn Walker (knee) and Tom Johnson (hamstring).
Tom Brady had a dreadful afternoon in Cincinnati last week, completing just 18-of-38 passes for 197 yards (5.2 YPA), 0 TD and 1 INT, while being sacked four times. However, Brady was hurt badly by four drops from his receivers, including one in the end zone by WR Julian Edelman in the game's final minute. The probable returns of both TE Rob Gronkowski (29 TD in 27 games since 2011) and RB Stevan Ridley gives Brady more weapons to utilize. Top WR Danny Amendola is still not 100 percent healed from his Week 1 groin injury, but he and Edelman will likely be Brady's top targets again on Sunday. For the Patriots offense to improve its paltry 19.0 PPG (24th in NFL), the rushing attack will likely see plenty of action. Over the past three weeks, New England has rushed for a solid 370 yards on 4.5 YPC, but for the season, the ground game has more lost fumbles (three) than rushing touchdowns (one). The Patriots defense has played exceptionally well this season with 14.0 PPG allowed (2nd in NFL) and 5.1 yards per play allowed (11th in league), but they have not seen a quarterback in the same class as Drew Brees. Falcons QB Matt Ryan is the only opposing signal caller that can be considered above average (EJ Manuel, Geno Smith, Josh Freeman and Andy Dalton being the other four opponents), and Ryan burned the Pats for 421 passing yards and two touchdowns two weeks ago. New England has done a nice job with its pass rush this season though, tallying 13 sacks over the past four games, and will need to get in Drew Brees' face to have any chance of stopping the Saints through the air.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
