The well rested New Orleans Saints host the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday Jan 19, as two high powered offenses, but worrysome defenses, battle it out. The Saints look to make it past the Divisional round for the second time in franchise history, while the Cardinals look to become the first NFC team to win back to back Conference Titles since 1997. NFL oddsmakers at BETUS.com have the Saints as -7 point home favorites to beat the Cardinals with the over/under set at 57.5 points . Be sure to get your Arizona Cardinals vs New Orleans Saints 2010 Divisional Playoff Predictions in now at BETUS.com
The Cardinals put on an offensive showing last week beating Green Bay 51-45 (OT), at home. This playoff game set records for most points in a playoff game. QB Kurt Warner put on a near perfect performance last week making 29 of 33 passes for 379 yards with five TD’s. Warner's 154.1 passer rating is the second highest in playoff history. His 87.9% completion rate is third highest in playoff history. Warner's five TD’s are tied for third most in playoff history and this was the second time he’s thrown five TD’s in the playoffs . Warner threw more touchdowns than incompletions (four). To say that their offense is clicking would be an understatement, but they did give up 45 points and that’s not good. Their receiving core is making everything Warner’s throwing at them. WR Larry Fitzgerald had a huge game making six catches for 82 yards with two TD’s, while WR Steve Breaston made seven for 125 with a TD. In five career playoff games, WR Larry Fitzgerald has 36 catches for 628 yards and nine TD’s. No matter who he has played in the postseason, nobody has been able to stop him, or even slowing him down. Their receivers' ability to make yards after the catch is huge because it forces defenses to never relent, while tiring them out at the same time. Kurt Warner and his 11th ranked pass game will do damage against the Saints 24th ranked pass defense, that has given up an average 275 pass yards in five games. Four of the games were against teams with a lacking pass game, Washington, Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Carolina. During the regular season the Cardinals lacked in the running department, but RB Beanie Wells had a great game last week and is moving the chains. He had 14 carries for 91 yards. RB Beanie Wells leads their 29th ranked ground game with 884 yards rushing and seven TD’s, and will be up against the Saints 21st ranked rush defense. He’s also capable of catching the ball with 143 yards receiving off 12 catches. The Cardinals finished 6-2 SU on the road where they averaged 25.1ppg and gave up an average 17.4ppg.
The Saints dropped their last three games of the regular season, but QB Drew Brees didn’t play the final game. They definitely have the offense to put up big numbers, but do they have the defense to stop the Cardinals offense? Despite their league best offense that averages a whopping 400 yards per-game and scores the most points per-game (31.9ppg) opposing teams have figured them out. They are vulnerable to teams that can hit them with repeated blitzing and the offensive line isn't nearly as reliable as it once was. But they have QB Drew Brees to turn things around, QB Brees has thrown for 4,388 yards and 34 TD passes for a 109.6 passer rating. He has many weapons to throw to; in fact he has nine receivers with two or more TD’s. They have a sixth ranked running game thanks to RB Pierre Thomas’ 793 yards rushing and eight TD’s, RB Thomas was injured in the final game with bruised ribs, but with a first round bye he should be ready to go. RB Reggie Bush is a great two dimensional back that has 390 yards rushing with five TD’s and he has 335 yards receiving and three TD’s. If opposing defenses can limit the big play, New Orleans' offense isn't nearly as threatening as it was during its run of success . Their pass defense has be all over the Cardinals and their rush defense shouldn’t have to worry about the Cardinals 29th ranked running game, but they must be prepared for it. The Saints finished 6-2 SU at home where they averaged 31.8ppg and gave up an average 21.5ppg.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
- Saints are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite.
- Saints are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games in January.
- Saints are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Saints are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 vs. NFC.
- Cardinals are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 playoff games.
- Cardinals are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 playoff games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0.
- Cardinals are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0.
- Cardinals are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog.
- Cardinals are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 playoff games as an underdog.
- Cardinals are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games in January.
- Cardinals are 8-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 4-0 in Saints last 4 home games.
- Under is 4-0 in Saints last 4 vs. NFC.
Arizona Cardinals vs New Orleans Saints
When: Sat, Jan 16, 2010 4:30 PM ET
Line: BETUS.com
Pick: Cardinals +7
Point-Spreads.com Arizona Cardinals vs New Orleans Saints 2010 Divisional Playoff Predictions
The Bottom Line: QB Drew Brees and his squad haven’t played in a playoff game and the Cards are good to go. The Cards played better on the road all season. Be sure to get your Arizona Cardinals vs New Orleans Saints 2010 Divisional Playoff Predictions in now at BETUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
