NFL Preseason Odds: Saints at Patriots
Thursday, August 12, 2010
by Bodog Sportsbook
The Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints take the field for their first competitive game since upsetting the Colts in Miami last February tonight at New England in what certainly could be a Super Bowl XLV preview – not that you will be seeing the starters much tonight. That Pats are 1.5-point favorites on Bodog’s NFL odds with a total at 35.
Probably the biggest storyline tonight is whether New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker will play just seven months after blowing out his knee (and 191 days since surgery) in the 2009 regular-season finale. Original estimates had Welker missing at least the first six games of this season but he has made a remarkable recovery and is practicing fully.
“I don’t know,’’ coach Bill Belichick said of Welker playing. “I’m not saying he will. I’m not saying he won’t. We’ll evaluate it and see.’’
Typical Belichick.
In addition, it remains to be seen how much Pats star QB Tom Brady plays. Obviously it doesn’t make much sense for the team to put his health in danger – plus Brady is playing without a contract extension. Expect no more than a series. Probably the biggest question mark on the Pats is at left guard with Logan Mankins still holding out and Nick Kaczur hurt. This will also be the first time that Belichick and his coaching staff participate in a game without any coordinators calling plays (the Pats don’t have any).
As for the Saints, QB Drew Brees is expected to only play the first quarter. New Orleans still has to decide who its backup quarterback is, so Patrick Ramsey and former Missouri star Chase Daniel will get the majority of snaps. First-round draft pick Patrick Robinson, a cornerback, is expected to play.
These two teams have been scrimmaging each other for a few days so there might not be a lot of scoring since they should know each other well; of course I guess you could say the opposite also would be true. New Orleans beat New England 38-17 last season to improve to 11-0 but that has little bearing on this one.
Get your Saints and Patriots odds and props at Bodog Sportsbook
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drew brees - new england patriots - new orleans saints - super bowl xlv - tom brady - wes welker
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