Tag: over under

Cowboys open as home favorites vs Los Angeles Rams, but line is shrinking

The Dallas Cowboys’ disappointing season has still yet to reach the Las Vegas sharps. The club sits with a 6-7 record on the season, with just as good a chance of finishing the year under .500 as they do of winning the NFC East. In fact, the two …

The Dallas Cowboys’ disappointing season has still yet to reach the Las Vegas sharps. The club sits with a 6-7 record on the season, with just as good a chance of finishing the year under .500 as they do of winning the NFC East. In fact, the two might not be mutually exclusive. The line setters have had a healthy respect for the Cowboys’ potential all season, having favored them to win 12 of the previous 13 contests thus far.

The only game they weren’t favored in was their Week 12 road contest against the New England Patriots. In every home game, they’ve existed on the right side of the ledger. Somehow, even with the game against the rejuvenated Los Angeles Rams (8-5) on the horizon for Sunday afternoon, the Cowboys are home favorites for the seventh time this season.

But the line is shrinking.

Most outlets had the team starting as four-point favorites when the lines opened for Week 15. Following the Rams strong performance in a 28-12 win over their NFC West Rival Seattle, who entered the game with a 10-2 record, the line has been shrinking. It was down to -3.5 early Monday morning according to Bet MGM online, and in the blink of an eye it’s already down to -2.5.

With an over/under set at 47.5, Bet MGM is expecting a moderately high-scoring affair.

The game will be a rematch of last season’s NFC Divisional round matchup, when Dallas traveled to LA and got their pride handed to them, poured over ice. Head coach Sean McVay used a combination of Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson to rush for over 250 yards on Dallas’ defense, and Rod Marinelli and Kris Richard’s unit really hasn’t recovered since.

[vertical-gallery id=635660][lawrence-newsletter]

Opening line favors Saints by more than a touchdown over Colts

The New Orleans Saints are favored over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football, but it’s clear that they can’t underestimate them.

[jwplayer 5yhg1spH-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints lost in a shootout with the San Francisco 49ers, while the Indianapolis Colts let a win escape them against the mistake-prone Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, those two squads are putting it all behind them and focusing on their next matchup — against each other, on ‘Monday Night Football.’

Per the opening line from BetMGM, the Saints are favored by 7.5 points over the Colts, with an over/under of 45.5. That implies a final score somewhere close to Saints 27, Colts 19. So this one isn’t expected to be close.

It’s going to depend on how well the Colts can throw downfield. Jacoby Brissett hasn’t done that often since taking over for Andrew Luck before the season started, but the 49ers showed that the Saints defense is vulnerable downfield when cornerback Eli Apple and free safety Marcus Williams aren’t on the same page. Depending on whether the Colts can welcome the return of star wideout T.Y. Hilton (who’s been battling a calf injury), they could see Brissett stretch his wings a little wider against New Orleans.

As for the Saints: winnable as this game appears, they’ve learned the hard way that no opponent can be overlooked this year. Just look at their loss to the lowly Atlanta Falcons coming out of the bye week. If the Saints are as undisciplined on defense as they were on Sunday against the 49ers, the Colts are capable of carving them up.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[vertical-gallery id=24148]

Oddsmakers drop Saints to 2.5-point favorites over visiting 49ers

The New Orleans Saints are still favored to beat the San Francisco 49ers, but oddsmakers expect a razor-thin finish in a low-scoring game.

[jwplayer FgrNrsL9-ThvAeFxT]

All eyes from around the NFL world will be focused on the Mercedes-Benz Superdome this Sunday, when the New Orleans Saints host the San Francisco 49ers for a game with tremendous implications for the NFC playoff picture.

With a Saints win, the road to Super Bowl LIV is all but guaranteed to run through New Orleans. But if the 49ers prevail, well, things get interesting in the NFC West. It’s a fair bet that they would compete with the Seattle Seahawks all the way down the stretch for the first seed, with the loser falling to the fifth seed — guaranteeing their playoff journey starts on the road. Incidentally, the 49ers will visit the Seahawks in the regular season finale in Week 17.

Per updated odds from BetMGM, the Saints are still favored to defeat the 49ers, but only by 2.5 points. With an over/under of just 44.5, that implies a final score somewhere in the neighborhood of Saints 24, 49ers 21. If this game were played on a neutral field, it would be even more of a toss-up. In other words: even the oddsmakers don’t know who might win this one.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[vertical-gallery id=23894]

New Orleans Saints narrowly favored over 49ers in Week 14 odds

The New Orleans Saints are narrowly favored over the San Francisco 49ers for their Week 14 game inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

[jwplayer hFZWoanf]

The New Orleans Saints are a week away from hosting the San Francisco 49ers in their Week 14 kickoff from inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and the opening line slightly favors the home team. According to the latest odds from BetMGM, the Saints are 3.5-point favorites to win, with an over/under of 45.5. That suggests a final score in the neighborhood of Saints 25, 49ers 21 — hardly a decisive outcome. New Orleans’ recent streak of victories and home-field advantage could be giving them an edge in the oddsmakers’ eyes.

New Orleans is fresh off the heels of a dominant (if at times sloppy) win over the Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving, in which their defense sacked Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan nine times. Six of those sacks came from starting defensive ends Cameron Jordan (four) and Marcus Davenport (two).

Things aren’t nearly so positive for the 49ers. They took the Baltimore Ravens down to the wire on a muddy field but couldn’t close the deal. Inexperienced quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo conducted the offense well, but the 49ers run defense was kept on their heels by Ravens phenom Lamar Jackson. Expect the Saints to target that same vulnerability with Taysom Hill, who has seen his involvement (and effectiveness) rise as the season has wore on.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Saints favored by almost a touchdown over Falcons on Thanksgiving

The opening Week 13 NFL odds favor the visiting New Orleans Saints over the hosting Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving, but that means little.

[jwplayer jcPYpmHE]

The New Orleans Saints are headlining the NFL’s scheduled games for Thanksgiving with a rematch against the NFC South-rival Atlanta Falcons in prime-time, at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC. That tense matchup follows earlier games hosted by the Detroit Lions (against the Chicago Bears at 11:30 a.m. CT) and Dallas Cowboys (with the Buffalo Bills at 3:30 p.m. CT). And according to the opening line from BetMGM, the Saints-Falcons kickoff is expected to be the day’s barn-burner, with the highest over/under of the day.

The Saints-Falcons game has a projected over/under of 49.5, with New Orleans favored by 6.5 points — nearly a full touchdown. That’s higher than what the Cowboys-Bills game is expected to put up (44.5) as well as what the Lions-Bears tilt (39.5). That over/under also projects a final score of Saints 29, Falcons 21.

Saints fans learned that the projected odds mean little the last time these two teams squared off. The Saints were 11.5-point favorites over the Falcons coming out of their bye week, but Atlanta shocked the Saints by sacking Drew Brees six times and holding the New Orleans offense without a touchdown on the day. The Saints have had time to improve since then, but this will obviously be a big test no matter what each team’s record looks like.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[vertical-gallery id=23127]

Saints climb to 9.5-point favorites for Week 12 vs. Panthers

The New Orleans Saints were already favored to beat the Carolina Panthers, but the updated point spread has risen further in their favor.

[jwplayer WU2Y8Ngc]

The New Orleans Saints have to like their chances against the Carolina Panthers. Carolina is reeling, with Cam Newton lost for the year and his promising backup, Kyle Allen, trying to recover from a four-interception meltdown versus the Atlanta Falcons (a game the Panthers lost 29-3).

According to updated odds from BetMGM, the Saints have risen to 9.5-point favorites over the Panthers, but the over/under has dropped to 46.5. That projects a final score of Saints 28, Panthers 18, which would be their fourth consecutive double-digit victory (a Week 10 loss to those same surging Falcons notwithstanding). When the Saints give opponents their due diligence and execute well, there isn’t a team in the NFL that should scare them.

Trouble comes when New Orleans either underestimates their opponent or makes too many mistakes on game day. The Saints have generally made smart preparations this year (again, that Falcons upset is glaring) but they have been prone to in-game errors, especially holding penalties on offense.

If the Saints start off on the wrong foot and let Carolina hang around in this game, the Panthers have enough talent to give them trouble. Playing divisional opponents — who have the benefit of extended previous experience and familiar knowledge of play-calling tendencies — is almost always a tall order. Here’s hoping that Falcons loss helped galvanize the Saints and gave them ample motivation to push towards the playoffs.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[vertical-gallery id=22891]

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints odds, picks and best bets

Previewing the Panthers at Saints Week 12 NFL matchup, with NFL betting odds, picks and best bets

The Carolina Panthers (5-5) look to keep their playoff hopes alive when they visit the NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints (8-2) at 1 p.m. ET Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Carolina at New Orleans: Week 12 preview, betting trends and notes

Looking to place a bet on this game or others? Sign up at BetMGM!

  • New Orleans is 7-1 straight up and against the spread in its last eight games.
  • In each of the last five games between the Panthers and Saints in New Orleans, the teams have hit the over — combining to score 57, 52, 79, 79 and 51 points in those games.
  • The Panthers have allowed 20 or more points in each of the last six games.
  • The Saints are a different team in the Superdome, where they have won 16 of their last 20 games.
  • Carolina is 1-5 ATS in its last six November games.

Carolina at New Orleans: Key injuries

The Panthers are banged up on defense. CB Ross Cockrell (quad) has yet to practice this week and DT Gerald McCoy (knee), LB Shaq Thompson (ankle) and safety Eric Reid (knee) have all been limited. For the Saints, guard Andrus Peat (forearm) and CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) have yet to practice and tight end Josh Hill (concussion) remains limited and has yet to be cleared for game action.

Carolina at New Orleans: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 8:55 p.m. ET.

Prediction

New Orleans 31, Carolina 17

Moneyline (?)

Only Cleveland has a higher moneyline number than the Saints (-455) this week. The Panthers are getting +340. If you were to make a bet here, the limited return takes the Saints out of the equation. A very small bet on the upset pick could bring a nice return if Carolina wins, but that doesn’t seem very likely.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Panthers to win would return a profit of $34.

Against the Spread (?)

The Saints are a prohibitive favorite a 9.5 points (-110 on both sides) and that has been enough to get action on the Panthers. This one may not hit that number until late, but the Panthers defense has been allowing veteran quarterbacks to carve them up. Drew Brees will likely be surgical on them. LAY THE POINTS.

Over/Under (?)

The number is a healthy 46.5 and is taking into account that the Saints have surrendered fewer than 20 points a game about every other game since the end of September. However, that can still be enough for the over in the type of game we’re expecting — a couple of first-half touchdown drives by the Saints that puts Carolina in an early hole and forces the Panthers to become pass-heavy, which leads to chunk yards and stops the clock on incompletions. TAKE THE OVER (-106), especially given the history of this rivalry at the Superdome.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1367]

Saints favored by 8.5 points over Panthers for Week 12 opening lines

The opening betting line heavily favored the New Orleans Saints over the Carolina Panthers for their Week 12 NFC South rivalry game.

[jwplayer cfZzcYxP]

The New Orleans Saints rebounded in a big way this week, but the Carolina Panthers look like they’ve regressed hard. This always-tough NFC South rivalry series is set to pick up again in Week 12, and the Saints are clearly favored to win.

Per the opening line from BetMGM, the Saints are 8.5-point home favorites over the Panthers. With an over/under set at 47.5, that implies a final score in the neighborhood of Saints 28, Panthers 19. Not too shabby.

With Cam Newton sidelined for the rest of the year, Carolina has had to rely on Kyle Allen, which has produced mixed results. Allen’s initial success trailed off over the last month, and the Panthers’ record has fallen with it. Allen threw seven touchdown passes against zero interceptions in his first four starts, giving Carolina a four-game unbeaten stretch.

Since then, Allen has completed just three touchdown passes against nine interceptions. And the Panthers have lost three of their last four games to put their season on life support at 5-5, with a difficult road trip against the Saints next on their schedule.

If the Saints defense can be as proactive and disruptive against Carolina as they were versus Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — a game in which they stole four interceptions and sacked Winston twice, hitting him a dozen other times — then they can take advantage of Allen, who’s been prone to making mistakes with the game on his shoulders.

Still, both of these teams received their most recent losses to the bottom-feeding Atlanta Falcons. Both squads know they can’t take anything for granted in the NFL, meaning an intense week of practice and preparation is ahead of them.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[vertical-gallery id=22622]

Saints open up as 5.5-point road favorites over Buccaneers

The New Orleans Saints are poised for a get-right road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a game in which they’re favored by 5.5 points.

[jwplayer sXmBDaQ3]

The New Orleans Saints are looking ahead to their rematch with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this time with Drew Brees in at quarterback. His understudy, Teddy Bridgewater, turned in the best game of his year when the Buccaneers visited last time; now Brees will get his turn on the road.

Per the latest odds from BetMGM, the Saints are favored by 5.5 points at Raymond James Stadium. With an over/under set at 51.5, that implies a final score in the neighborhood of Saints 29, Buccaneers 23. That’s hardly a blowout, suggesting more of a competitive atmosphere — which is what the Saints are used to in Tampa Bay, having trailed most of the game in last year’s visit. They lost the 2017 regular season finale a year earlier on a last-second Chris Godwin touchdown catch.

It’ll be fascinating to see how the Saints respond to getting punched in the mouth by the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, the first game in a four-week series against NFC South division rivals. While the Buccaneers have been nearly as sorry as Atlanta (their 3-6 record speaks for itself), they’ve had the opportunity to regroup during their bye week and play better football. They took the Seattle Seahawks to overtime and beat the Arizona Cardinals in a frantic fourth quarter on Sunday.

Still, this should be a get-right game for New Orleans. Their defensive line has quieted down in recent weeks after a hot start to the season. Starting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and edge rusher Marcus Davenport have combined played a combined 287 snaps over their last four games, but that’s turned into just eight total tackles (two solo), no tackles for loss, no sacks, and one quarterback hit.

They’ll be playing essentially the same offensive line they bullied in their last meeting, a game where Rankins logged his first sack since last year’s Achilles injury and where Davenport put up the best day of his season (two sacks, three hits, and a forced fumble). The Saints defense will go as far as the monsters up front can take it (especially with top cornerback Marshon Lattimore on the mend), but all of those former first-round picks have lost their mojo in recent weeks.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[vertical-gallery id=22101]