Well it’s finally here! The 2007 NFL Season starts off tonight with what should be a ton of fireworks on the field! All you sports betting guys and gals get ready to ride the roller coaster of big plays and tremendous athleticism in the RCA Dome this evening.
The line on this game has been wavering between Colts -5 1/2 to -6. Most sportsbooks are carrying the game at Colts -6.
The key match-ups in this game will be:
1. Can LT Tony Ugoh, in his first start, keep the pressure off of Manning’s blind side?
My feeling is he is going to have a tough time with the Saints DE’s Charles Grant and Will Smith. The Saints will be using all sorts of stunts and blitzes to mess the kid up.
2. Can the Saints stop the Colts passing attack?
No, at least not enough to really take these guys out. The Colts are going to score their usual 24-31 points in this game if Manning doesn’t get too much pressure from his blind side. He has too many weapons and the Saints corners are not the best. Although they did pick up CB Jason David from the Colts in the off-season, which may help give them some inside knowledge, I still see the Colts getting some big plays from their receivers.
3. Can the Colts stop the Saints offense?
No, again not enough to blow the Saints out. The combination of Deuce and Reggie will have a field day against an over matched Colts defensive line. The Saints have a huge O-Line and they will wear down the Colts as the game goes on providing big gains in the 4th quarter for Bush and McAllister. The Colts lost both their starting CB’s from last year due to free agency. The two newbies back there, Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden, are going to have a difficult time containing the passing attack of Drew Brees and Co.
4. Who will get that Key Stop in the Red Zone?
This to me is where the outcome of the game will hinge. Whomever can come up with a big play or two inside the 25 yard line will win this game. Although the Saints Defense isn’t the greatest overall they have more big play starters back there than the Colts do.
5. So who wins?
I’m looking for a very close game with the outcome being determined by 3-4 points. If the Saints control the clock with the running game and get pressure on Manning they will win Straight Up. If the Colts exploit the flaws of the Saints secondary and get a big play from Safety Bob Sanders inside the 20 yard line they will take this game by a field goal.
Here’s the deal:
The Saints were 6-2 ATS on the Road last year.
Drew Brees beat the Colts at the RCA Dome a couple years back when he was with the Chargers.
The Saints are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings with the Colts. The Colts had 11 games last year decided by 6 or fewer points.
Head Coach Sean Payton is 5-0 ATS as a Dog vs opponents with above .500 winning percentages.
So:
TAKE THE SAINTS AND THE 6 POINTS OVER THE COLTS!
It’s about frickin’ time for some football!
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