NFL Odds – New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

The 2010 season isn’t getting any easier for the Super Bowl Champions as they come into this road game as a favorite – against a tough matchup for their style of play.

Let’s check the NFL odds to see where bettors can grab an edge on Sunday as Week 9 kicks off in Carolina.

Sunday, November 7 @ 1pm

Football Odds:

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New Orleans Saints (-6.5) at Carolina Panthers (+6.5)
Total: 41

The 5-3 SU New Orleans Saints (3-5 ATS) have been a tough team to handicap this season. They have beaten some of the best (Week 8 against Pittsburgh) and lost to some of the worst (SU defeats to Arizona and Cleveland).

You could call it a Super Bowl hangover, or you could call it a one-dimensional team getting exposed. Regardless, this leaves us with Week 9’s biggest spread for a home dog. Carolina has only covered twice this season (and won once), but there are some elements that put this matchup in their favor.

Carolina is 4th against the pass this year – and that will put even more pressure on Drew Brees and the Saints passing attack. Injuries have kept out RBs Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush for extended periods, leaving the Saints to live or die on Brees’ arm. Now, when the season started, that sounded fine – but with a few multiple interception games, this could be another rough week for the defending champs.

Carolina has usually been strong on the ground, with the two-headed tandem of Williams and Stewart. However, Williams has been limited with injuries and Jonathan Stewart has disappointed fantasy owners and Panthers fans all season long.

The Panthers have allowed 21.4 points/game this season, and only put up 12.1. The Saints have scored an average of 20.9 point/game and will be coming up against a tougher-than-expected defense.

The UNDER has hit in 7 of the last 8 New Orleans games against the NFC South – as these divisional rivals hone in on each other and prepare for these bi-seasonal matchups.

Free NFL Pick: UNDER 41 total points.

Neither of these teams are playing lights out football. And when you take Carolina’s greatest strength (pass defense) vs. New Orleans’s greatest strength (the passing game) we could have a low-scoring affair.

Look for a game that comes in around 21-10 New Orleans, as both teams struggle to consistently score – and work the battle of field position. Carolina is 8-2 in their last 10 games against teams with winning records – because they are usually heavy dogs. They will be fired up for this game, and that will translate mainly to the defensive side of the ball.