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Oddsmaker favors Saints in seven games

By Ty Anania

Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton reacts as he holds a red coaches challenge flag against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 48-41. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton reacts as he holds a red coaches challenge flag against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Saints defeated the Cardinals 48-41. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Another 7-9 season for the New Orleans Saints? Not quite.

CG Technology, a mobile sports wagering company, made predictions for every NFL game. The New Orleans Saints are only favored in seven. But they’re not projected to finish 7-9, at least by the spread. They have at least one toss-up, and the oddsmakers didn’t make predictions for Week 17, considering the possibility of rested players. So the prediction is really for 7-7.

First, let’s look over the picks. Then we’ll talk.

Week 1: Saints at Vikings — Vikings -3

Week 2: Patriots at Saints — Patriots -4.5

Week 3: Saints at Panthers — Panthers -3

Week 4: Saints at Dolphins (London) — Dolphins -3

Week 5: BYE

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Week 6: Lions at Saints — Saints -2.5

Week 7: Saints at Packers — Packers -7.5

Week 8: Bears at Saints — Saints -6

Week 9: Buccaneers at Saints — Saints -1.5

Week 10: Saints at Bills — Bills -2

Week 11: Redskins at Saints — Saints -2.5

Week 12: Saints at Rams — Saints -2

Week 13: Panthers at Saints — Saints -2.5

Week 14: Saints at Falcons — Falcons -7

Week 15: Jets at Saints — Saints -6.5

Week 16: Falcons at Saints — Pick

7-7 through Week 15, with two toss-ups to close out the season against the Falcons and the Buccaneers.

I’m not thrilled about this projection. I see it as something of a floor for this season. CG Technology projected the Saints to lose to the Vikings, Patriots, Panthers, Dolphins, Packers, Bills and Falcons.  They start off 0-4, and rally in the middle of the season.

Patriots I get. Packers I get, but at a -7.5 spread? That’s a bit nuts. Falcons -7? We’ll see. They were the only team to blow us out in 2016, but without Kyle Shanahan they won’t likely be the same.

But come on. The Bills? If you’re looking for a game to bet on, there you go. I’d pick the Saints over the Bills any day.

I also like the Saints over the Vikings and the Panthers. The Panthers especially seem to be entering something of a rebuild mode. Dolphins is a toss-up.

On the flip side, the Saints project to win against the Lions, Bears, Bucs, Redskins, Rams, Panthers and Jets. And those all seem like solid bets. The closest game of the bunch will likely be the Lions. But the Saints have improved enough that I like them as the favorite.

If I made the odds, I’d have the Saints at at least 8-6. I’m not sure I’d put their Week 16 matchup with the Falcons as a toss up, but I like them over the Bucs in Week 17. So 9-7. As long as that means playoffs, I’d take that. So I see an opportunity for some winnings here.

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