Week 16 Strong Picks: NE, NO and Over - How about this parlay?
Saints +7
Saints/ Det Over 50.5
NE -7.5
Saints play in a dome and remember what they did to GB in a dome? Remember what GB did to Detroit in a dome? Associative relationships may not be an accurate means to evaluate NFL matchups but this may be something to ponder. The biggest motivation for the Saints is to not be the team that loses to the Lions. They have the offensive weapons to not let that happen. Besides, Sean Peyton will let Brees pursue Marino's single season passing record as they have nothing else at stake. Why not let him throw for 500 yards against a creampuff Lions' defense? The Lions will be motivated by what they may view as their best shot at shedding the '0-16' monkey off their backs. The Lions can also put up some decent points against the Saints' weak defense hence the pick for the 'over'. Two teams that have nothing left to play for, save pride, will play loose and make it a scorefest. New Orleans with their superior offensive fire power will not only prevail but cover as well.
Arizona has the 4th seed locked up. They can do no better or worse for their playoff positioning. They don't travel well, especially to the east coast, and the fact they can't run doesn't help their cause either. New England is in a 3 way tie in their divison and playing for their playoff lives. Bellichek is a master strategician. If I were him, the strategy would be to get off to a quick start offensively while being very aggressive defensively. NE will use 'awe and shock' to discourage any faint hopes the cards may harbor of hanging around and having a decent outing to use as, if nothing else, a morale booster going into the post season. Bellicheck will try his best to encourage the cards to lay down early. This party will be over by half time.
Saints/ Det Over 50.5
NE -7.5
Saints play in a dome and remember what they did to GB in a dome? Remember what GB did to Detroit in a dome? Associative relationships may not be an accurate means to evaluate NFL matchups but this may be something to ponder. The biggest motivation for the Saints is to not be the team that loses to the Lions. They have the offensive weapons to not let that happen. Besides, Sean Peyton will let Brees pursue Marino's single season passing record as they have nothing else at stake. Why not let him throw for 500 yards against a creampuff Lions' defense? The Lions will be motivated by what they may view as their best shot at shedding the '0-16' monkey off their backs. The Lions can also put up some decent points against the Saints' weak defense hence the pick for the 'over'. Two teams that have nothing left to play for, save pride, will play loose and make it a scorefest. New Orleans with their superior offensive fire power will not only prevail but cover as well.
Arizona has the 4th seed locked up. They can do no better or worse for their playoff positioning. They don't travel well, especially to the east coast, and the fact they can't run doesn't help their cause either. New England is in a 3 way tie in their divison and playing for their playoff lives. Bellichek is a master strategician. If I were him, the strategy would be to get off to a quick start offensively while being very aggressive defensively. NE will use 'awe and shock' to discourage any faint hopes the cards may harbor of hanging around and having a decent outing to use as, if nothing else, a morale booster going into the post season. Bellicheck will try his best to encourage the cards to lay down early. This party will be over by half time.