New Orleans Saints Super Bowl Odds

A missed pass interference call kept the New Orleans Saints from representing the NFC in the Super Bowl last year. The Saints had been the best team in the conference throughout the season, beating the Los Angeles Rams 45-35 in the regular season on their way to the No. 1 seed. However, the missed penalty played a huge part in the Saints blowing a lead against the Rams during the rematch in the NFC Championship Game, and the Saints have spent the offseason gritting their teeth.

Odds to Win Super Bowl LIV
New Orleans Saints +800

Heading into the 2019 season, the New Orleans Saints are the favorites in the NFC per the Super Bowl betting odds. They are the only team in the conference with odds lower than 12-1 to win it all, and the Saints are tied with the Kansas City Chiefs as the team with the second-lowest betting odds.

Offensive Outlook

This offense stands to be one of the best in the NFL in 2019 provided Drew Brees can have another successful season. Father Time is starting to catch up to Brees though. The signal caller turned 40 in January, and after a stellar start to the 2018 campaign, his numbers tailed off dramatically.

Brees’ NFL record 12-year streak of throwing for at least 4,000 yards in a season finally came to an end after he sat out of New Orleans’ final regular season game. He was very precise with the ball throughout the season though, tossing just five interceptions in 489 pass attempts. Brees has never had great arm strength, but he is an excellent decision maker, and that makes him incredibly dangerous in Sean Payton’s offense.

His top target is a happy man after signing a massive extension this summer. Michael Thomas finally got paid, and the 2018 First Team All-Pro is now looking to earn his new contract. The Saints’ No. 1 receiver hauled in 125 receptions for over 1,400 yards last season, and he is slated to have another big season per NFL player prop odds.

Alvin Kamara is set to have a monstrous season too. Mark Ingram left the Big Easy this offseason, so Kamara is expected to have even more touches in 2019. He carried the ball 194 times and was targeted 105 times in the passing game, but he might have close to 350 touches this year. If he can handle the workload, that would likely make him the top running back in the league.

Aside from Brees’ continued good health, the big concern is the emergence of a second receiver. Ted Ginn Jr. is on the downslope of his career, and Tre’Quan Smith has yet to prove anything. Tight end Jared Cook does give Brees a safety outlet to throw to, and he could end the season as the second-leading receiver on the team.

Defensive Outlook

New Orleans has always had a great offense since Payton and Brees have been together, but the defense has been an issue. That led to a lot of shootouts where the games became coinflips as they sailed over the NFL total odds, yet those are now problems of the past.

The Saints have drafted very well on this side of the ball in recent years, wiping away those former concerns in one fell swoop. New Orleans’ decision to take pass rusher Marcus Davenport out of UTSA with their first-round pick paid off immediately, as the rookie became one of the most feared pass rushers in the league. Cameron Jordan was a Pro Bowl talent at the other defensive end spot, and Sheldon Rankins had a fine season at defensive tackle. All three of those players return and New England’s Malcom Brown figures to make an impact up front too.

These linebackers aren’t great, but they just need to tackle well in this system. Demario Davis was the star of the unit with 11 tackles for loss, but there are no elite talents here.

The same can’t be said for the secondary. Marshon Lattimore has already made a name for himself as one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL. Lattimore is a shutdown corner that can lock down an opponent’s best receiver, and he is the biggest name in a young, talented secondary. The defensive backs will make New Orleans tough to throw on in 2019.

Season Projection

It’s easy to see why people are excited about the Saints. New Orleans has the talent to win it all this year, and this stands to be one of the most enjoyable teams to watch. Provided Brees stays healthy, they are a great bet to win the Super Bowl despite playing in a division that’s a little tricky due to the offensive firepower.

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