2009 NFL Predictions New Orleans Saints NFC South Betting Odds: The New Orleans Saints have been stuck in neutral since advancing to the NFC Championship Game during the 2006 season. The offense has consistently ranked among the NFL’s best, but the defense has struggled. Recognizing the need, the front office spent a busy off-season adding draft picks and free agents that should help the defense make immediate improvements in 2009. The 2009 NFL Predictions experts at online sportsbook SBG Global have the New Orleans Saints +1700 odds to win the 2010 Super Bowl.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – NFC SOUTH
2008 Season Record: 8-8, fourth in NFC South
Offense: 8
Defense: 6
Special Teams: 7
Coaching: 7
2009 NFL Predictions: 9-6
OVER 9 WINS: –115 odds
UNDER 9 WINS: –115 odds
Pros: Under the guidance of quarterback Drew Brees, the Saints led the NFL in scoring and total offense a year ago. They have a plethora of talented receivers for Brees to pepper with passes, including wideouts Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Devery Henderson and tight ends Jeremy Shockey and Billy Miller. The addition of veteran defensive backs Darren Sharper and Jabari Greer and linemen Rod Coleman and Paul Spicer should help bolster the defense immediately.
Cons: The running game could be a weakness after the release of veteran Deuce McAllister. Pierre Thomas led the team in rushing last season (625 yards), but doesn’t project as a feature back. Reggie Bush has been solid as a receiver out of the backfield, but must improve on his 404 yards rushing from a year ago.
Surprise Stat: Brees threw passes to 17 different receivers while completing 413 passes for 5,069 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2008.
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Outlook: The passing game is among the best in the league, but the Saints must improve their running game in 2009 to keep the defenses honest. The defense should be better, but the improvement must be significant if they want to contend for a playoff berth.
Draft Overview: Safety Malcolm Jenkins from Ohio State was an important pick for the Saints with the 14t5h choice in the draft. He should see immediate action and benefit from playing with four-time Pro Bowler Darren Sharper. Adding another safety in former Wake Forest standout Chip Vaughn, in the fourth round should help solidify the position. Another Wake Forest player, Stanley Arnoux, was selected two picks after Vaughn and should get an opportunity for playing time at linebacker.
Overall Outlook: No team has won the NFC South in consecutive seasons since the eight-division format started in 2002. The Panthers and Falcons are the favorites in the division, but both teams have question marks. The Saints can contend for the title if they can maintain their dominant passing offense while improving the running game and defense.
Key to Success: Linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who the Saints acquired from the Jets prior to last season, has been a solid player in his five NFL seasons. However, he has not developed into the superstar many expected when he was chosen with the 12th pick in the 2004 draft. With a year under his belt in the New Orleans’ system, he needs to emerge as the defensive leader and playmaker for the Saints in 2009.
Intangibles: After three solid, but unspectacular seasons, it is time for running back Reggie Bush to display the ability that made him the second pick in the 2006 draft. The Saints are in need of a feature running back and Bush must thrive in that role if he ever wants to be recognized as an elite player in the NFL.
SBG Global has posted their 2009 NFL Predictions odds to win the 2010 Super Bowl:Arizona CARDINALS: +2900
Atlanta FALCONS: +2000
Baltimore RAVENS: +2500
Buffalo BILLS: +8500
Carolina PANTHERS: +3950
Chicago BEARS: +2000
Cincinnati BENGALS: +8500
Cleveland BROWNS: +7500
Dallas COWBOYS: +1400
Denver BRONCOS: +6000
Detroit LIONS: +15000
Green Bay PACKERS: +2500
Houston TEXANS: +2000
Indianapolis COLTS: +1000
Jacksonville JAGUARS: +4500
Kansas City CHIEFS: +7500
Miami DOLPHINS: +3000
Minnesota VIKINGS: +800
New England PATRIOTS: +300
New Orleans SAINTS: +1700
New York GIANTS: +850
New York JETS: +3500
Oakland RAIDERS: +5500
Philadelphia EAGLES: +650
Pittsburgh STEELERS: +700
San Diego CHARGERS: +500
San Francisco 49ERS: +6500
Seattle SEAHAWKS: +3000
St. Louis RAMS: +8500
Tampa Bay BUCCANEERS: +10000
Tennessee TITANS: +2000
Washington REDSKINS: +4850
