Saints lose opener in Indy

Colts (+6) favorites over Saints

I'm not a betting man, but oddsmakers currently have the Indianopolis Colts listed as 6-point favorites versus the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, while the game's total is sitting at 52.

Team records:
New Orleans: 10-6 SU, 10-6 ATS
Indianapolis: 12-4 SU, 8-8 ATS

New Orleans most recently:
When playing in September are 6-4
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When playing outside the division are 5-5

Indianapolis most recently:
When playing in September are 9-1
When playing on turf are 9-1
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing outside the division are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
New Orleans is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Indianapolis
New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Indianapolis
New Orleans is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Orleans's last 6 games on the road
Indianapolis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Indianapolis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Indianapolis is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Indianapolis is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

"Sports Center" quotes for summer 2007

"Sports Center" quotes for summer 2007




"New Orleans is still the best offense as long as they don't get one-dimensional."


"Last season the Saints thrived offensively because they used Reggie Bush to create mismatches. they didn't rely too much on the run or press the pass and kept team off balance by mixing it up and throwing ball in run situations and vice versa. That's the key to this team's offensive success and it will continue this season. The Saints are the class of the division and they should repeat as the South champs. They are the most balanced team in the division and have the ability to outscore any team in the South, including the best defense in Carolina."

-Merrill Hoge, former Steelers running back

"Four words. Drew Brees and Sean Payton."
"Last season Payton emerged as the heir to the throne of best playcaller in the league. He put himself on the level of a Mike Holmgren and Mike Shannahan with his inventive playcalling. He consistently kept opposing defenses on their toes with the way he mixed it up and utilized Bush and Deuce McAllister as a tandem Under Payton's tutelage, Brees continued his ascent to the upper echelon of quarterbacks. He's cool under pressure and makes the right decisions for his offense. This team is set offensively. The Saints are the best at the skill positions offensively in this division and defensively play the best team game in the division. That adds up to another divisional crown for the Saints."

- Joe Theismann, former Redskins quarterback

 


"This is the most underrated defense in the league. This is the best Saints defense since the days of the Dome Patrol when Rickey Jackson, Vaughn Johnson and Sam Mills roamed the Superdome and decimated opposing offenses. This team may not have the big names and great individual performers that other defenses have, but they have a great team defense ethic and they stick to what they are supposed to do. They don't stray and freelance on the field. Each player knows his role and plays it perfectly."

- Ron Jaworski

Saints pick Meach: Year of the receiver?

The New Orleans Saints drafted Robert Meachem, a game-breaking receiver from Tennessee, with their selection in the first round of Sunday's draft. Coach Sean Payton said it was an easy decision based on what players were available. "When the draft started in the first round, I don't know that we would have said receiver is the direction we were planning to head," Payton said. "It wasn't something we did because defenses were going to change against us next year. I felt like the selection of Meachem really had to do with us thinking, 'Man, this guy's still here.' And he's a guy that we didn't (just) like. We really liked him at receiver. Aside from JaMarcus Russell going to Oakland, and LaRon Landry going to Washington, LSU defender Chase Pittman was snagged by the Cleveland Browns in the 7th round.