Saints vs Seahawks NFL Playoffs Betting?
Saints Head to Seattle to Avenge December 2nd Blowout
Things just weren’t the same for the New Orleans Saints after they visited the Pacific Northwest in December – the team lost three of their final five games and lost grips on the NFC South and a first round bye in the process.
2014 NFC Divisional Playoffs
New Orleans (11-5) at Seattle (13-3)
When: 4:35 PM ET, Saturday, January 11, 2014
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
Broadcast: FOX
Saints vs. Seahawks Betting Lines
New Orleans Saints +7 1/2 -110 Ov 48 -110
Seattle Seahawks -7 1/2 -110 Un 48 -110
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New Orleans returns to the scene of a 34-7 beat down at the hands of the Seahawks looking to advance to the NFC Championship game – but it won’t be easy.
There is definitely a chance that Sean Peyton just threw out the tape of the first meeting between the two teams December 2. The team scored their lowest point total in six years, they gained a total of just 188 yards and Rob Ryan’s defense was totally overwhelmed by Russell Wilson who had arguably his best game as a pro passing for 310 yards and 3 TDs while rushing for another 47 yards on the night.
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But the Saints got the monkey off their back and won their first ever game on the road in the playoffs. Drew Brees and the league`s second ranked passing game went for 250 yards last week and 2 TDs – far below their average but enough to get it done on the road, in a cold weather game.
Shayne Graham kicked three field goals and the running game was stellar last week – something that likely won`t happen this week. The Hawks are the Number 1 defense in the game and they held New Orleans to just 44 rushing yards in the first meeting.
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A nice surprise for the Saints last week and all season long has been the play of their defense – 19th against the run and 2nd against the pass. This unit held Shady McCoy – the NFL rushing champ to 77 yards last week and they limited DeSean Jackson to 3 catches for 53 yards. The New Orleans defense tamed a hot offense last week and will get a similar challenge against this week.
The Seattle Seahawks were all at home watching the Eagles and the Saints beat up on each other last week – getting healthy and studying the team that is in their way for a Super Bowl appearance. As if things couldn`t get any better for the Hawks, Percy Harvin has evidentially looked terrific in practice this week and should play this, giving the Seahawks another immense weapon that they didn`t have in the first meeting between the teams.
As mentioned Russell Wilson had a terrific game December 2. He could explode again or just hand the ball off to Marshawn Lynch who could do some damage against the Saints` 19th ranked run defense. The Seahawks offense have been masterful all season long at taking exactly what the opposing defense gives them – you can`t shut everything down – you have to pick your poison and hope it doesn`t kill you!
Seattle`s top ranked NFL defense had its way with New Orleans in the first meeting – 188 yards allowed and a defensive TD by Michael Bennett. Aided by the 12th man in Seattle, there is no reason to think that this unit doesn`t show up again and become an enormous factor in the outcome just like it was December 2.
NFC Divisional Football Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• Under is 7-1 in NO last 8 games overall.
• Under is 7-1 in NO last 8 vs. NFC.
• Over is 8-2-1 in NO last 11 playoff games.
• SEA are 12-3 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
• SEA are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 vs. NFC.
• SEA are 37-17-1 ATS in their last 55 home games.
You have to love the way that New Orleans came out and played last week on the road. But Philadelphia is no Seattle. If you think the Seahawks crowd was amped December 2 imagine what a state they will be in Saturday. Seattle already owns a win over the Saints in the playoffs at CenturyLink – I can`t imagine any scenario that has them losing Saturday. Seattle sucked the will out of Drew Brees and company in the first meeting – the same rings true Saturday.
Pick: Seattle Seahawks and the ever-moving line -7 1/2
