NFL Playoff Predictions NFC: Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints
Written by Matthew Regaw
Wed, 4 Jan 2012
Category sportsbook
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If you're a fan of high scoring games in the NFL, the game between the Detroit Lions and the New Orleans Saints to kick off the weekend is a perfect way to start the playoffs.
When the NFL playoff odds were released the New Orleans Saints opened up as nine point favorites and that number ballooned to 11 points as the early betting public money came flowing in on the home-team.
NFC Playoffs
While this is not surprising with the way the Saints have played to end the year, double-digits seem a bit extreme with the Lions offense.
Matthew Stafford is off a career day against the Green Bay Packers and is arguably playing the best football of his career. Stafford looks solid in the pocket and is very accurate. He is eliminating mistakes and with Calvin Johnson as his main target, it's easy to throw it up and let the big wide out make great plays. Kevin Smith is healthy in the backfield and the Lions should put up a big fight in the dome.
The Saints are one of the best teams in football. Drew Brees is putting up MVP numbers (again), and he has an equally talented cast of weapons on offense. Darren Sproles may be the best free agent pickup of the season and he adds an explosive addition out of the backfield. Jimmy Graham is one of the top targets at tight end and the Detroit defense will have their hands full.
These teams met once already in New Orleans and the Saints drilled the Lions 31-17. The Saints jumped out to a big lead and never looked back. To make matters more interesting the Saints were on a short week and the Lions had plenty of rest and time to devise a game plan and could not keep the game close.
The Saints are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 home games and 8-0 ATS in their last eight games overall. The Lions are 0-5-1 ATS against a team with a winning record and struggle on the road. The Lions will keep this close at first but the Saints will then pull away easily for a big double-digit win to advance and cover the number.
NFL Playoff Predictions: New Orleans Saints -10.5