NFL Betting Online: Even though Drew Brees is getting older, he hasn’t showed many signs of slowing down. While the Saints quarterback is still a star, the defense didn’t help him out at all last season and isn’t expected to carry its weight in 2016. Despite a strong offense, the defensive issues could very well keep the team out of the playoffs. The Saints are listed as +250 underdogs to make the postseason and are -325 favorites to make the playoffs in 2016 in NFL betting.
The Saints finished the 2015 season with a record of 7-9. The offense averaged 25.5 points per game, which was eighth in the NFL. Brees threw for 4,870 yards with 32 touchdowns against only 11 interceptions a year ago. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks was his favorite target, catching 84 passes for 1,138 yards and nine touchdowns. Ben Watson had a solid season as the main tight end following the departure of Jimmy Graham, but the Saints could upgrade there some more with the offseason free agent addition of Coby Fleener. Michael Thomas was drafted in order to add another target at wideout, while Mark Ingram returns as the team’s bellcow running back.
Even though the offense should once again be above average, the defense is in tatters. The Saints allowed 29.8 points per game last season, which was the worst mark in the NFL. The secondary was very poor, as was the rush defense and the pass rush. Defensive end Cameron Jordan is a good player, and he amassed 45 tackles and 10 sacks a year ago. Cornerback Delvin Breaux showed some progress, but veterans like Jairus Byrd and Brandon Browner struggled. The Saints added defensive tackle Nick Fairley and linebacker James Laurinaitis in free agency and then drafted defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and safety Vonn Bell in the early rounds. They are hoping those reinforcements will help shore up the defense, but there is a long ways to go in order to get the New Orleans defense back to simply an average unit.
The Saints play in the same division as the Carolina Panthers, and it would be a huge upset to surpass them and claim the NFC South title. The most realistic path to the playoffs is a wild card berth, but it will only be possible if Brees can stay playing at a high level while the defense picks it up big-time. Based on last year’s results, it seems unlikely that everything can come together that way, and it seems like the Saints will finish another season under .500 and outside of the playoff picture in NFL betting.
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook for the playoff chances for the New Orleans Saints, who have a superstar quarterback but a leaky defense, which will make a postseason berth an uphill battle behind Drew Brees, Brandin Cooks, Cameron Jordan and Mark Ingram! 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!
