The New Orleans Saints hope to snap a five-game straight up losing streak that has bounced them from the NFC playoff picture when they visit the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon. The Saints hit the road after seeing their slide extended with a 27-17 loss to the visiting Dallas Cowboys last week on Thursday Night Football. The Jets look to rebound after being outclassed in last weekend’s 33-18 loss to the visiting Philadelphia Eagles that extended their current home losing streak to three games.

New Orleans is a 5.5-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 43.0.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Saints have steadily faded since opening as 6.5-point favourites despite attracting a healthy 62 per cent of bets, and are now pegged as diminished 5.5-point chalk. The total has also declined after making early gains, dipping to 43.0, with 69 per cent of bets getting laid on the UNDER.

Sunday afternoon’s matchup at MetLife Stadium marks the first meeting between these two teams since December 2017. The Saints have earned the win in six of their past eight dates with the Jets, with five of those wins coming by double-digit margins. However, the Jets eked out a narrow 26-20 victory as 6-point underdogs in their most recent home date with New Orleans eight years ago.

Both of these teams have been steady betting disappointments this season. The Saints have covered just once during their current slide, and have gone 1-2 against the spread as a road favourite. Losers by an average margin of 16.7 points during their current 0-3 run at home, the Jets now sport a dismal 3-9 record against the spread this season. New York has also lost and failed to cover in three of four while listed as a home underdog by five or fewer points.

New Orleans Saints

Devastated by injuries, things reached a low point for New Orleans in last week’s loss to the previously struggling Cowboys. Taysom Hill produced mixed results in his first start under centre, tossing four interceptions, but also led the Saints with 101 rushing yards. Hill also suffered a finger injury, but is listed as probable to start again on Sunday. On a positive note, rusher Alvin Kamara looks likely to return from a knee injury that has sidelined him for four weeks, after being a full participant in Wednesday practice. However, the Saints could be missing Mark Ingram, after the veteran rusher tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.

New York Jets

Fresh off yet another thrashing on home turf, the Jets must also contend with injury concerns going into the weekend. Among the walking wounded who did not participate in Wednesday practice are rusher Tevin Coleman and receiver Elijah Moore, who both remain listed as questionable. Coleman has stepped up while the team’s top ball carrier Michael Carter has been sidelined by injury, leading the Jets in rushing yards in each of the past two games, but is still struggling with a concussion. Moore has emerged as the team’s top downfield target during an impressive rookie campaign, and has caught scoring passes in three of his past four outings.

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Saints vs. Jets?