304 SAINTS -3.5, 1 weight

[QUOTE=Sixth Sense;15319]Playing devil's advocate here. Wouldn't it only be fair to also mention the Vikings have recently lost badly at Arizona (17-30 due to an up tempo offense by Arz), lost badly at Carolina and lost at Chicago? Certainly all teams not even close to NO, especially when you consider they couldn't compete at Arizona and we all saw what happened to Arz last week at NO. Couldn't one also say they don't want to be on the Vikings bandwagon with that resume?[/QUOTE] Spoken like a true Green Bay fan!

[QUOTE=Sixth Sense;15319]Playing devil's advocate here. Wouldn't it only be fair to also mention the Vikings have recently lost badly at Arizona (17-30 due to an up tempo offense by Arz), lost badly at Carolina and lost at Chicago? Certainly all teams not even close to NO, especially when you consider they couldn't compete at Arizona and we all saw what happened to Arz last week at NO. Couldn't one also say they don't want to be on the Vikings bandwagon with that resume?[/QUOTE] If you look at ALL the stats, IMO New Orleans should be a 3 point favorite max. Teams are similar, with Min with the better defense, and the better pass rush. Plus a QB that has won a SB, and is having his best ever year (yes, he is "old"). Min just DESTROYED the Dallas team that solidly beat NO AT NO. Explain those two games NO lovers! NO is not facing a team off an OT win, on a short week.

New Orleans is 3 pts better on a neutral field. I get them by 8 this game. Minn cannot win away from their dome. Look at their last 3 road games. NO by 10.5 or more- good alt line.

[QUOTE=Calsport;15341]New Orleans is 3 pts better on a neutral field. I get them by 8 this game. Minn cannot win away from their dome. Look at their last 3 road games. NO by 10.5 or more- good alt line.[/QUOTE] Would you really book NO at -8? Your ratings are WAY off! You give NO 5 points for their home field? That's all a joke! God, I just love squares!

[QUOTE=Old School;15340]If you look at ALL the stats, IMO New Orleans should be a 3 point favorite max. Teams are similar, with Min with the better defense, and the better pass rush. Plus a QB that has won a SB, and is having his best ever year (yes, he is "old"). Min just DESTROYED the Dallas team that solidly beat NO AT NO. Explain those two games NO lovers! NO is not facing a team off an OT win, on a short week.[/QUOTE] OS - I don't see anyway you can compare what happened to Dallas at Minnesota to what Dallas did at NO. There is no question Dallas controlled, dominated and deserved to win at NO. But, that doesn't translate to what happened to Dallas at Minnesota. Two completely different environments. If you believe in that, I can find plenty of those scenarios that took place all season long that don't play out that way. I am split on the side of this game, thinking it could go either way. I have situations on Minnesota but value towards NO. I am only saying for someone to say this is clearly a spot for Minnesota OR NO, for that matter, I don't see it.

[QUOTE=edsherpa;15336]Spoken like a true Green Bay fan![/QUOTE] What does me being a GB fan have to do with the fact Minnesota has struggled on the road? Remember, I had Minnesota over GB in that Monday night game. And, I am NOT saying NO is the side here. I think the game could go either way. Just don't see it as clearly as some do.

[QUOTE=Sixth Sense;15351]OS - I don't see anyway you can compare what happened to Dallas at Minnesota to what Dallas did at NO. There is no question Dallas controlled, dominated and deserved to win at NO. But, that doesn't translate to what happened to Dallas at Minnesota. Two completely different environments. If you believe in that, I can find plenty of those scenarios that took place all season long that don't play out that way. I am split on the side of this game, thinking it could go either way. I have situations on Minnesota but value towards NO. I am only saying for someone to say this is clearly a spot for Minnesota OR NO, for that matter, I don't see it.[/QUOTE] I just don't get this AT ALL. I can't compare how NO and MIN did vs the same team (one of the hottest, a physical team, with a good passing and a good rushing offense) in recent games where the teams were giving it their best effort? Neither Min nor NO faced a lot of games vs playoff teams. The Dallas games were recent (thus giving an indication of current form) and clearly both NO and MIN were giving it 100% in their games vs Dallas. Two "COMPLETELY different environments"? If you cannot compare those two games, you cannot compare ANY games!!! BTW, I have NO as a 3 point favorite, and we bet Min +4 1/2 with locals (God bless them!). +4 -115 at Greek. I think this closes at 3. Most of the SB winners have a top 10 defense (9 of last 10). Neither IND nor NO has a top 10 defense. Squares look first to offense, and they often overlook defense. HOWEVER, the edge here is small, as it is in ALL NFL sides. TOs will probably be crucial in determining the ATS winner, and it's extremely hard tp predect those. In all honesty, we may give up betting NFL sides, and concentrate on NFL totals, both team totals, first half, and full game totals.

NO line opened at -3, shot up that night to 4.5 @ boookmaker.....now down to -3 135 juice......line is jumping

[QUOTE=Old School;15353]I just don't get this AT ALL. I can't compare how NO and MIN did vs the same team (one of the hottest, a physical team, with a good passing and a good rushing offense) in recent games where the teams were giving it their best effort? Neither Min nor NO faced a lot of games vs playoff teams. The Dallas games were recent (thus giving an indication of current form) and clearly both NO and MIN were giving it 100% in their games vs Dallas. Two "COMPLETELY different environments"? If you cannot compare those two games, you cannot compare ANY games!!! [/QUOTE] OS I'm sorry but I also disagree w/ you here. The performance of Team A vs. Team B and Team B vs. Team C does not translate to Team A vs. Team C, even if they played in back to back weeks. Football is about matchups and gaining advantages, and each team will gameplan differently based upon its strengths/weaknesses and those of its opponent. Game 1: Dallas, fresh off of back to back losses @ NYG and home vs. SD, in their first primetime game since week 9 in a do-or-die for the playoffs, traveled to play a Saints team who was banged up and missing 3 starters (no DT Sedrick Ellis, no TE Shockey, no CB Greer) and was running out of gas & tired after winning back to back road games, 1 of which went to OT. Game 2: Minnesota, fresh off a bye week, and at home in a playoff game w/ playoff home atmosphere to their advantage vs. Dallas who had just gotten the monkey off their back winning their 1st playoff game in over a decade to a hated division rival who they also beat at home the week before (thus off of 2 straight home games). Game 3: Saints rested off their bye week, beat the Cardinals at home on Saturday, now get to play again at home, no travel, an extra day of rest, and finally healthy from the bye. I don't see how you are blindly comparing the common opponent (Dallas) and saying how because Min throttled Dallas in their game and Dal beat NO, Min will beat NO. Makes zero sense and you should know better.

Another loser from the Old School. Texas, Balt keep it going! New Orleans defense in the dome is better than Minnys away from theirs. Keep giving out bad info and losing. Squares like me and Fez will just keep cashing!