The Saints are back home in the Superdome on Saturday where they play some great football. The stadium is also one of the bigger home field edges in the sport. While wins and losses aren’t the biggest motivating force in the preseason, they’ll still try to use that edge to score their first win of the preseason.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Saints are at home which should be enough to keep them as the favorites moving into the weekend. Besides, the Saints have beaten the spread in two of the three games these two teams have played over the last decade.
Of course, the last time they met in the preseason was back in 2012 with a very uncharacteristic 7-6 final.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Tom Brady saw a few snaps for the Patriots in Week 1, but Jimmy Garoppolo got the bulk of the work and should see significant playing time once again in Week 1.
Against the Packers, Garoppolo completed 20 of 30 passes for 59 yards, but did throw an interception. On the ground, he ran twice for eight yards.
On the other side, the Saints didn’t have Drew Brees on the field for their opener against the Ravens, instead, they saw Ryan Griffin, Garrett Grayson and Luke McCown get a bulk of the play under center.
Brees should get a few snaps early in Week 2, but most of the work will go to some combination of the three that saw time in Week 1.
Against the Ravens, McCown played the best going 7-for-10 with a touchdown and 75 yards while Griffin also provided a touchdown going 10-for-17.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
Bill Belichick and Sean Payton are both established enough head coaches to not worry about their respective preseason records.
While the motivation isn’t as present as it is for rookie coaches, one good thing about having a couple vets is we can look back at their past records.
Belichick, for instance, came into the year 38-34-1 ATS in preseason play while typically going over the total. Payton, on the other hand, has been far more balanced from an Over/Under perspective, but is 19-12-2 ATS.
QUOTE TO NOTE
The Patriots have been dealing with injury concerns with cornerback Tarell Brown who projects to be an important part of the secondary. He was out for the opener and was asked about his health and why he left Saturday’s practice, saying:
“They took me in to check a few things. It was something we were dealing with earlier in the week; it was trainers being cautious.”
It sounds like the cornerback will be back in action on Saturday.
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
The passing game has always been the Saints bread and butter with Brees under center and with the veteran quarterback getting some snaps here in Week 2, it’ll be interesting to see which receivers he hooks up with.
Behind Brandin Cooks and Marques Colston, the wide receiver field is wide open in New Orleans and the Saints figure to use a number of receivers throughout the year. Nick Toon should get a chance to finally have his breakout while veteran Josh Morgan should get looks, too.
In addition, the team also has a couple talented youngsters in Brandon Coleman and Seantavius Jones, both of whom should get a chance.
INJURIES
C.J. Spiller’s knee surgery will keep him out for the preseason’s entirety, so the Saints’ running game will be modified.
In addition, the Saints are also dealing with a shoulder injury to Davis Tull and the Patriots are nursing Dont’a Hightower’s shoulder after sustaining an injury in Week 1.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Brady may see a series or two, but with Garoppolo playing the first few weeks of the regular season thanks to Brady’s suspension, he’ll need as many reps as possible and I look for Belichick to give him as many snaps as he can.
The Pats offense has long been built around Brady who has a way of getting more out of his receivers than many expect. For Garoppolo, it’s more about just getting familiar with the playbook, receivers and offensive line. He was sacked seven times against the Packers and that’s a bit concerning.
Look for the Saints to sneak by the Pats as Garoppolo continues to get adjusted to playing with the first string.
New Orleans 24, New England 21
BookMaker opened the spread for this Sunday game at -1 in favor of the Saints. The NFL odds total surfaced at 43. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints will take place Saturday, August 22, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
