The NFL is about to return tonight for the start of the 2007 regular season with the Indianapolis Colts vs New Orleans Saints. The National Football League sure picked an exciting team to go up against the defending Super Bowl Champions with Drew Brees and Reggie Bush of the Saints. NFL betting website WagerWeb.com has the Indianapolis Colts at -5.5 points against the New Orleans Saints.
“NFL betting experts believe this game has the makings of a shoot out written all over it,” stated Point-Spreads.com NFL Handicapper Brad Marchetti. “A lot of people are making a big deal about the changes in personnel to Indy’s defense. But the new players appear more physical then last years group of defenders.”
You will see plenty of offense tonight from both teams. The New Orleans Saints led the NFL for 2006 in total offense and passing offense and were fifth in scoring. The Colts were second in the league in scoring, third in overall offense and second in passing offense. Both teams scored 30 or more points in six regular-season games. Both teams also allowed an average of more than 305 yards a game, with Indy's defense one of the worst in the NFL last season before coming in on the playoffs.
"What it all boils down to is that this is a big game," stated Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. "I feel like it's going to be like the AFC Championship Game. The exposure and the excitement and stuff like that. We've definitely got to come out with our best performance."
"It's uncharted territory for most of us," said Peyton Manning, who was 20-of-25 for 314 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in a 55-21 win over New Orleans on Sept. 28, 2003, in the teams' most recent meeting. "All we really know how to do is to work hard and get on the same page. That's all we've done, that's all I've ever known."
However, defense again may be the Colts' Achilles' heel, as that unit has lost tackles Booger McFarland (season-ending injury), Corey Simon (free agency), linebacker Cato June (free agency) and cornerbacks Nick Harper and Jason David (who both also left as free agents, with David going to the Saints). Thus, many pundits have Indy the third favorite in the AFC behind New England and San Diego.
New Orleans, meanwhile, is coming off an improbable NFC Championship Game appearance, just a season after going 3-13. Not to mention all the fallout from Hurricane Katrina.
Brees, the runner-up to Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson for NFL MVP honors, had a career season in leading New Orleans to a franchise-best 416 points.
"I still feel like we've only scratched the surface as an offense," said Brees, who in his first year with the Saints led the league in passing with a career-high 4,418 yards. "We've got a lot of weapons and we've got a lot of balls to be spread around. I'm excited about the possibilities and the opportunity we have."
So with offensive stars such as Manning, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Joseph Addai, Brees, Bush, Deuce McAllister and Marques Colston on the field tonight, go with the over 52.5 at WagerWeb.com and also expect the Colts -6 to cover at home in what should be an emotional night as they get their Super Bowl rings.
