The Saints have made some changes this year, adding Adrian Peterson to the backfield and some key players on defense. They are in a tough division, alongside the defending NFC champion Atlanta Falcons, the 2015 NFC Super Bowl entrant, the Carolina Panthers, and the up-and-coming Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Saints are heavy underdogs to not just survive the division but also push all the way through to the Super Bowl. However, any team with a star signal-caller can at least legitimately theorize that if everything goes right they will have a chance of making a magical run.
New Orleans would love nothing more than to become the third straight team out of the NFC South to win the conference.
NFC Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Seattle Seahawks +444
Green Bay Packers +460
Atlanta Falcons +472
Dallas Cowboys +620
New York Giants +888
Carolina Panthers +1350
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1650
Philadelphia Eagles +1700
Minnesota Vikings +1800
Arizona Cardinals +1853
New Orleans Saints +2405
Detroit Lions +2900
Washington Redskins +3000
Chicago Bears +7500
Los Angeles Rams +8000
San Francisco 49ers +8500
Key Players for Winning the NFC
Drew Brees – While the veteran quarterback may be 38 years old, he’s still playing at an extremely high level. Brees threw for 5,208 yards last season, which led the NFL, and added 37 touchdowns. Brees threw 15 interceptions, but that isn’t too bad considering he led the league in pass attempts and often had to throw dangerous passes because the team was trailing late in the contest. Brees continues to be one of the best in the game and should continue to lead the high-octane attack.
Adrian Peterson -- The Saints have Mark Ingram as their starting running back and he will get the majority of the carries, but if Peterson still has some juice left, this could be a formidable duo. New Orlean’s passing attack is fantastic so the running game can survive if it’s not dominant, but it would be a boon to have both working well. Peterson has dealt with injuries in the past few years and is getting old but if he can be rejuvenated and get back to the all-time great player he was in his prime, the Saints would actually have a legitimate shot at making a postseason run.
Michael Thomas -- The Saints traded away star wideout Brandin Cooks to the Patriots in exchange for a first round pick because Thomas was impressive last season. He should have a big year as the No. 1 option for Brees and he needs to fill Cooks’ void so the passing attack remains potent. New Orleans has other options like Ted Ginn and Willie Snead, but Thomas is clearly the most talented in the group.
Cameron Jordan -- Defense has been the Saints’ biggest downfall in the past few years, and that must change if the team has visions of winning double-digit games. Jordan is the best pass-rushing threat for a group which has had a hard time getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He is entering the prime of his career and has Pro Bowl-level talent, so if Jordan can wreak havoc at the line of scrimmage, it will help everyone behind him.
Marshon Lattimore -- The Saints made the former Ohio State star the 11th overall pick in the draft in hopes that he helps shore up the secondary. The cornerback spot has long been a weakness for the Saints and if Lattimore can jump in right away and help, it will be a huge advantage. However, it’s not easy for rookies to transition to the NFL game, so it’s possible there is a learning curve.
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