New Orleans Saints only NFC South team not favored in Week 1
The New Orleans Saints‘ 2021 season gets underway on Sunday afternoon when they face the Packers. They’ll be the final team in the division to play in Week 1, as the Bucs host the Cowboys on Thursday night, the Panthers host the Jets on Sunday at noon, and the Falcons host the Eagles Sunday at noon.
Not only is the Saints’ Week 1 game the most difficult, but they won’t even be able to play in their home stadium due to Hurricane Ida. As a result, they’re the only team not to be favored for the first week of the regular season.
Here are the odds for all four NFC South teams this weekend, per WynnBet:
- Bucs (-8) vs. Cowboys
- Panthers (-5.5) vs. Jets
- Falcons (-3) vs. Eagles
- Saints vs. Packers (-4.5)
None of these odds are surprising when you think about them.
Obviously, the Bucs are going to be favored, as they’re playing in front of a packed stadium for the first time in a long time and won the Super Bowl seven months ago. They also face a much-less talented Cowboys team.
The Panthers and Falcons games aren’t locks but both are favored due to being at home.
The Saints aren’t favored because they’re on neutral field and we don’t know what to expect out of Jameis Winston just yet.
The Saints are the only NFC South team expected to start 0-1.
Even if the Saints were playing in the Caesars Superdome, they’d still be underdogs, as the Packers are a better team with a better quarterback. When push comes to shove, there just seems like a lot to overcome for New Orleans in their first game of the regular season, even if it is a home game.
Next. Saints Game-By-Game Predictions for 2021. dark
While the other three teams might win their Week 1 matchups, the Saints have plenty of chances to catch up in the division, especially with their favorable schedule.