Sunday Night Football sees Saints draw early betting action over Steelers
Sunday night's NFL affair opened as a pick 'em before bettors began buying up Saints tickets to push New Orleans as a slight favorite at home versus Pittsburgh.
The New Orleans Saints are among the worst wagers in the NFL, but they’ll catch an under-the-radar break when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Superdome in the Sunday nighter (8:20 PM ET, NBC).
Since their win over Minnesota in the season opener, New Orleans (4-3 SU, 2-5 ATS) has gone 1-5 against the number (3-3 SU) in its last six games, including a shocking 30-17 loss at home to Cleveland (+12) last week.
Only the Cowboys have done worse on the NFL betting odds board than the Saints, who are listed as 1-point favorites at most outlets for their matchup against the Steelers (5-1 SU, 4-2 ATS).
Oddsmakers opened the game as a pick ‘em, but early action on New Orleans moved the line. The contest was still listed as a pick at some shops of press time, and one venue had the Saints giving as much as 1½ points to the Steelers.
There are a ton of key injuries that could affect Sunday’s outcome, but none is bigger than the one to Pittsburgh defensive end Aaron Smith, who could be out for the season with a torn triceps he suffered in the Steelers’ 23-22 win at Miami (+3) last week.
Troy Polamalu is the motor of Pittsburgh’s defense, but Smith is almost as important. With Smith out of the lineup, and with the game being played at the Superdome, it’s easy to like New Orleans in a bounce-back spot on Sunday.
Smith has missed 15 games over the last four seasons for the Steelers, and in those games, Pittsburgh allowed 22.5 points per game in going 7-8 SU.
When Smith is on the field, the Steelers are 23-7 SU over the same span, and have given up only 71.4 rushing yards per game. In the games Smith has missed, Pittsburgh surrendered just over 114 yards on the ground per contest.
Ziggy Hood replaces Smith on the defensive line, which could also be without Brett Keisel (hamstring) and LaMarr Woodley (hamstring). Both players are considered questionable.
The Saints should be motivated. Drew Brees had one of his worst games in a New Orleans uniform last week against Cleveland, going 37 of 56 for two touchdowns with four interceptions. Two of Brees’ picks were returned for scores.
So expect the Saints to come out firing. The loss to the Browns has to be a wakeup call, and New Orleans’ offense matches up well with Pittsburgh’s short-staffed defense.
The Steelers rank fourth in total defense (299.3 YPG), and are first against the run (63.7 YPG) and in scoring defense (13.7 PPG), but they’re well below average against the pass. Pittsburgh is only 24th in the NFL in pass defense (235.7 YPG), and that doesn’t bode well against a New Orleans air attack that’s fifth in the league (279.3 YPG).
The Saints have been hit hard by injuries to their secondary, but they can’t blame the unit for their struggles. Cornerback Randall Gay (concussion) is out for the season, while fellow CBs Tracey Porter (left knee) and Jabari Greer (shoulder) are considered questionable for Sunday’s affair.
Still, New Orleans’ defense has improved since last season’s trip to the Super Bowl. The Saints actually rank ahead of the Steelers in total defense (288.4 YPG), putting them third in the league overall.
New Orleans is third against the pass (179.7 YPG), putting pressure on Ben Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh’s offensive line to hold the fort. Roethlisberger was sacked three times last week in front of a line that could be without Trai Essex (ankle), Chris Scott (foot), and Flozell Adams (ankle) on Sunday.
The Saints love to blitz and that should help them cover on Sunday. New Orleans is fifth in the NFL in total blitzes, and have held opposing quarterbacks to a 64.5 passer rating when they rush five or more players.
The total for the game opened at 44 and has been bet up to 44½ at some sportsbooks.
Sunday night's NFL affair opened as a pick 'em before bettors began buying up Saints tickets to push New Orleans as a slight favorite at home versus Pittsburgh.
The New Orleans Saints are among the worst wagers in the NFL, but they’ll catch an under-the-radar break when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Superdome in the Sunday nighter (8:20 PM ET, NBC).
Since their win over Minnesota in the season opener, New Orleans (4-3 SU, 2-5 ATS) has gone 1-5 against the number (3-3 SU) in its last six games, including a shocking 30-17 loss at home to Cleveland (+12) last week.
Only the Cowboys have done worse on the NFL betting odds board than the Saints, who are listed as 1-point favorites at most outlets for their matchup against the Steelers (5-1 SU, 4-2 ATS).
Oddsmakers opened the game as a pick ‘em, but early action on New Orleans moved the line. The contest was still listed as a pick at some shops of press time, and one venue had the Saints giving as much as 1½ points to the Steelers.
There are a ton of key injuries that could affect Sunday’s outcome, but none is bigger than the one to Pittsburgh defensive end Aaron Smith, who could be out for the season with a torn triceps he suffered in the Steelers’ 23-22 win at Miami (+3) last week.
Troy Polamalu is the motor of Pittsburgh’s defense, but Smith is almost as important. With Smith out of the lineup, and with the game being played at the Superdome, it’s easy to like New Orleans in a bounce-back spot on Sunday.
Smith has missed 15 games over the last four seasons for the Steelers, and in those games, Pittsburgh allowed 22.5 points per game in going 7-8 SU.
When Smith is on the field, the Steelers are 23-7 SU over the same span, and have given up only 71.4 rushing yards per game. In the games Smith has missed, Pittsburgh surrendered just over 114 yards on the ground per contest.
Ziggy Hood replaces Smith on the defensive line, which could also be without Brett Keisel (hamstring) and LaMarr Woodley (hamstring). Both players are considered questionable.
The Saints should be motivated. Drew Brees had one of his worst games in a New Orleans uniform last week against Cleveland, going 37 of 56 for two touchdowns with four interceptions. Two of Brees’ picks were returned for scores.
So expect the Saints to come out firing. The loss to the Browns has to be a wakeup call, and New Orleans’ offense matches up well with Pittsburgh’s short-staffed defense.
The Steelers rank fourth in total defense (299.3 YPG), and are first against the run (63.7 YPG) and in scoring defense (13.7 PPG), but they’re well below average against the pass. Pittsburgh is only 24th in the NFL in pass defense (235.7 YPG), and that doesn’t bode well against a New Orleans air attack that’s fifth in the league (279.3 YPG).
The Saints have been hit hard by injuries to their secondary, but they can’t blame the unit for their struggles. Cornerback Randall Gay (concussion) is out for the season, while fellow CBs Tracey Porter (left knee) and Jabari Greer (shoulder) are considered questionable for Sunday’s affair.
Still, New Orleans’ defense has improved since last season’s trip to the Super Bowl. The Saints actually rank ahead of the Steelers in total defense (288.4 YPG), putting them third in the league overall.
New Orleans is third against the pass (179.7 YPG), putting pressure on Ben Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh’s offensive line to hold the fort. Roethlisberger was sacked three times last week in front of a line that could be without Trai Essex (ankle), Chris Scott (foot), and Flozell Adams (ankle) on Sunday.
The Saints love to blitz and that should help them cover on Sunday. New Orleans is fifth in the NFL in total blitzes, and have held opposing quarterbacks to a 64.5 passer rating when they rush five or more players.
The total for the game opened at 44 and has been bet up to 44½ at some sportsbooks.