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The Saints vs. Titans spread had visiting New Orleans a -3.5 favorite versus a Titans team that is very much capable of making the Playoffs still. The Tennessee Titans odds of winning the 2012 Super Bowl were currently 50/1 for a $5000 payout on a $500 bet at Sportsbook.com.
Opening Line & Total: Saints -3.5 & 48
The Saints try to win a fifth straight game as they take their air show to Nashville to square off with Tennessee.
The emergence of Chris Johnson has made the Titans contenders again. He’ll need to be in top form to help control the clock and keep Drew Brees and the high-powered New Orleans offense standing on the sidelines. Although Brees has dominated at home (20 TD, 3 INT), his road numbers have been average (10 TD, 8 INT). There’s nothing average about the way Johnson has carried the football in the past four weeks (486 rush yds, 5.7 YPC). The Titans should also be able to throw the ball on New Orleans’ generous pass defense that’s allowed 1,114 passing yards (371 YPG) in the past three contests. The Saints are just 2-4 ATS on the road as their defense has allowed 26.5 PPG outside of the Superdome.
Brees has certainly been hot lately, throwing for 1,027 yards (342 YPG), 9 TD and 0 INT in the past three games. New Orleans continues to be inconsistent rushing the football though, gaining 70, 236, 56, 195, 41, 205 and 100 last week. So there’s really no telling what kind of ground game will show up Sunday. Tennessee has been slightly below average in run defense, allowing 122 rushing YPG.
Chris Johnson has finally exploded over the past four weeks, notching three games of 130+ rushing yards in this four-game span. The Saints have limited three of their past four opponents to less than 90 rushing yards, but none of these opposing ball carriers have the speed and agility that Johnson possesses. If Tennessee is forced to try to attack through the air, QB Matt Hasselbeck needs to pick up his play. In the past four weeks, he has thrown just two touchdowns with four interceptions. The Titans franchise has not lost to the Saints since 1993 when they were the Houston Oilers, winning the past four meetings between the teams.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
