NFL Playoffs Betting |
The Detroit Lions are back in the playoffs for the first time since 1999 and this Saturday night they face the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome as prohibitive underdogs in this Wildcard Round matchup. The game is set to kick-off at 8 p.m. (ET) and it will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
Detroit ended the regular season on the wrong end of a 45-41 shootout with Green Bay as a 6.5-point road favorite to finish at 10-6 straight-up on the year and 7-7-2 against the spread. The total went ‘over’ the 41.5-point line against the Packers and has now gone ‘over’ in 10 of its 16 games this season.
If the Lions are going to avoid a one-and-done in this year’s playoffs they will need another strong effort on offense to keep up with the Saints. Behind a healthy Matthew Stafford at quarterback, Detroit was ranked fifth in the league in total yards and fourth in scoring with an average of 29.6 points a game.
New Orleans rolled to a 45-17 victory over Carolina as a seven-point home favorite in its season finale to extend its current winning streak to eight games. It finished the season 13-3 SU and was a profitable 12-4 ATS including covering the spread in its last eight games. The total went 9-7 on the year.
There is little doubt that Drew Brees and the Saints’ offense will be able to put some points on the board especially on a fast track at the Superdome.
This season, Brees set a NFL single-season passing record with 5,476 yards and threw for 46 touchdowns. New Orleans was ranked second in the NFL in scoring with 34.2 points a game.
The Lions are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six games and 0-3-1 ATS in their last four games on the road. The total has gone ‘over’ in 19 of their last 20 games overall.
The Saints are a perfect 7-0 ATS in their last seven games against the NFC and 11-1 ATS in their last 12 games at home. The total has gone ‘over’ in six of their last eight postseason games.
Head-to-head, New Orleans is 3-0 both SU and ATS including a 31-17 romp in Week 13 as a nine-point home favorite. The total stayed ‘under’ the 55-point line. Give the Lions credit for this season’s turnaround, but right now they are not in the same class as the Saints especially on the road. Stick with New Orleans to march on to the Divisional Round in a romp.
The Pick: New Orleans 34 Detroit 20
