Every team in the NFC West currently sits at 2-2, and few teams have been as inconsistent in the division as the Seattle Seahawks. They opened with an impressive win over Denver before getting routed in San Francisco and letting the Atlanta Falcons beat them at home. Then they went to Detroit and gave up 45 points – but scored 48 in a barnburner of a win. Next up is a visit to the Crescent City to take on the New Orleans Saints. Things haven’t gone well for the Saints so far; after a miraculous comeback win in Atlanta to start the season, they have dropped three in a row, losing to Tampa Bay, Carolina and Minnesota. Quarterback Jameis Winston missed the Minnesota game and remains questionable for Sunday, which means Andy Dalton would get his second straight start. Let’s check out your best sports betting choices for this week’s game, as the line started at New Orleans -4 and has quickly jumped up 1 ½ points.
NFL Preview: Seattle Seahawks at New Orleans Saints
(Sunday, October 9)
When: Sunday, October 9, 2022, 1:00 pm ET
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans
TV: FOX
Radio: KIRO 97.3 FM Seattle / WWL 870 AM New Orleans
Live Stream: Sling TV
NFL Odds: New Orleans -5.5 / O/U 46 // New Orleans -235 / Seattle +192
Why should you bet on the Seahawks?
The Seattle offense found its way last week, as quarterback Geno Smith threw for 320 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Rashad Penny carried the ball 17 times for 151 yards and two more scores. It helped that they were playing the Lions, who have had a porous defense all season long, but the progress they were abe to make against Denver in their opener and in Atlanta in Week 3 was also impressive. The defense did fold against Atlanta, giving up that comeback, and the defense also struggled against Detroit, but New Orleans’ offense is likely to sputter again, whether Winston is on the sidelines or playing at less than 100%.
Seattle has covered in four of their last five road games against teams that have losing records at home. That’s a bit of a reach, statistically, but the Seattle offense is cooking right now. The defense could make this interesting by making the Saints look terrific, but New Orleans can’t get out of their own way right now. Against the Vikings, they cost themselves a possible win with 11 penalties and fumbled the ball away twice.
Why should you put your money on the Saints?
The New Orleans defense has been decent at times. They only permitted 20 points in a loss to Tampa Bay, but then they gave up 22 to a Carolina team that has had a hard time scoring on anyone. In the second half against Minnesota, the Saints came back from a 13-7 deficit and had a 25-21 lead, but then the Vikings scored on a late drive to take the win. Quarterback Andy Dalton played well in relief of Jameis Winston, throwing for 236 yards and a touchdown, and Latavius Murray led the team in rushing with 57 yards and a score on 11 attempts in relief of Alvin Kamara. Kamara is listed as available this week, which should give the Saints’ offense a boost.
From a sports betting perspective, the Saints haven’t been that helpful lately. In their last seven home games, they have only covered twice. The “over” is an interesting pick here, but the total has already slid up two points since betting opened. Neither team has been consistent on defense, and if you like the Saints, you see them opening things up to take advantage of issues in the Seattle secondary – and you see it working.
Final Score and Prediction
Geno Smith impressed me in Week 1, and he led the Seahawks to a terrific output in Week 4. If the Seattle defense can step up against a New Orleans offense that won’t have a 100% quarterback either way and might not have Kamara at 100%, then the Seahawks should win – although I also see this trending over. I predict a final score of Seattle 30, New Orleans 20.
NFL Betting Odds
Love betting NFL football? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines
