NFL Preseason Week 1: The New Orleans Saints are set to take the field for their first preseason game of 2009 as they face the Cincinnati Bengals tonight in Louisiana. The two teams are scheduled to get things underway at 8:00pm ET at the Superdome. NFL Preseason Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals vs New Orleans Saints NFL Picks, Odds & Predictions at Sportsbook.com have New Orleans listed as a -165 moneyline favorite in this evening's contest.
Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals are hoping to resurrect their once potent offense after they sank to the bottom of the league in 2008 with a 12.8 point per game average. Quarterback Carson Palmer is back after playing just four games a season ago. Palmer had an elbow injury that he elected to forgo surgery on and treat with rest and rehab. He claims to be healthy and if he is, he should provide a huge boost to the offense.
Palmer, however, will need some protection (Cincy gave up 50 sacks last year) and the Bengals coaching staff will be watching developments along the offensive line closely during the preseason.
Palmer seems to think the team is headed in the right direction and another 4-11-1 season should not be in the cards.
"I think we're going to be an extremely physical team and we're definitely going to be a team that plays hard," Palmer said. "We need to be efficient and make sure everyone does their job the right way."
New Orleans Saints: New Orleans is trying to find their way back to the Playoffs after an 8-8 finish relegated them to the NFC South basement last year. The defense was the main culprit in the Saints demise, as it gave up 340 yards and 24.6 points per game. Sean Payton brought in Greg Williams to be the defensive coordinator and, hopefully, fix whatever was wrong.
The preseason will provide a good opportunity for the unit to get a grasp of Williams' system, but Payton, like most coaches, will not be giving his starters much time in the exhibition opener.
"Typically in this first preseason game we go about a quarter with the starters," Payton said. "The second wave goes the second quarter into the third quarter and then the third group will finish the third quarter and play the fourth quarter."
Cincinnati Bengals +3 (-110), Over 37.5 (-110), +145 (Moneyline)
New Orleans Saints -3 (-110), Under 37.5 (-110), -165 (Moneyline)
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