The San Francisco 49ers (10-2) visit the New Orleans Saints (10-2) Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in a marquee NFC matchup between teams battling for a playoff bye. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. ET. We analyze the 49ers-Saints odds and sports betting lines, while providing sports betting tips and advice on this matchup.
49ers at Saints: Week 14 preview, betting trends and notes
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- The Saints are coming off a 26-18 road win over the Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving. The 49ers took their second loss of the season on the road, losing 20-17 at the Baltimore Ravens.
- This is the first meeting between the two teams since Kyle Shanahan was hired as 49ers head coach to begin the 2017 season.
- The 49ers have had three different leading rushers and four different leading receivers this season. The Saints have had two different rushing leaders and three receiving leaders.
- The 49ers are 4-19 when allowing 250 or more passing yards in a game since the start of 2016. Saints QB Drew Brees is averaging 255.8 passing yards per game this year. The Niners are allowing a league-low 134.3 yards per game through the air.
- The Saints are tied for second in the league with a turnover differential of plus-11. The Niners are eighth at plus-6.
49ers at Saints: Key injuries
49ers RB Matt Breida (ankle) is expected to return this week.
49ers at Saints: Odds, betting lines and prediction
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.
Prediction
49ers 23, Saints 18
Moneyline (?)
The 49ers (+120) have the defense to slow Brees and RB Alvin Kamara. They’re in a tight battle with the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West title, while the Saints have cruised all season atop the NFC South.
The Niners have more offensive weapons as head coaches Shanahan and Sean Payton meet in a play-calling battle.
Against the Spread (?)
The NINERS (+2.5, -106) are also a good play on the spread where they’ll need to stay within two points in a loss or win outright. The Saints are 8-4 against the spread overall while the 49ers are 7-4-1, but San Francisco covers by an average of 10.1 points per game with New Orleans covering by an average of just 0.7 PPG.
Over/Under (?)
Take the UNDER 44.5 (-106) as the Niners try to slow this one down. Both teams play more than a point below the projected point totals on average with the Saints 6-6 against the Over/Under and the 49ers 5-7. Games at the Superdome have gone 3-3 against the O/U.
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