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Andrew Rogers
Saints vs. Patriots Point Spread: NFL Week 3 Odds, Prediction
Two years ago, a New Orleans Saints-New England Patriots game would have featured two of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. Fast forward to 2021, however, and the star power is decidedly muted as the Saints visit Gillette Stadium on Sunday. The Saints were walloped by the division-rival Carolina Panthers last time out, and are slight underdogs this weekend against a Patriots team that took care of business against the host New York Jets in Week 2.
New England is a 3-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 42.0.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Oddsmakers see these teams as virtually even, making the Patriots the 3-point fave by virtue of having home-field advantage. And the post-Tom Brady Era hasn’t been kind to New England when it comes to facing the NFC, with the Pats having gone 1-3 SU and ATS in four meetings (while going just 1-4 ATS in their last five vs. the opposite conference). The Saints, meanwhile, are a red-hot 9-3 SU and 10-1-1 ATS in their past 12 as an underdog.
You know it’s a new era for both teams when you see a total for Sunday’s meeting at a rock-bottom 42. And even with the number that low, there’s a virtual even split among Over and Under bettors on Sports Interaction. The Patriots come in as one of the top Under value plays on their home turf, going 4-10-1 O/U over their past 15 games at Gillette Stadium. The Saints have gone below the total in four of their last six as a road underdog.
New Orleans Saints
Saints fans have been treated to the complete Jameis Winston experience through just two games as a post-Drew Brees starting quarterback. After lighting up the Green Bay Packers for five touchdown passes in a one-sided season-opening win, Winston hit a wall against the vaunted Panthers defence last week, finishing with just 111 passing yards and two INTs. Winston has a modest 259 passing yards and a 59.5 per cent completion rate through two games.
New England Patriots
The decision to start Mac Jones at quarterback and release 2020 starter Cam Newton was an interesting one – but you can’t argue with the results. While the Pats would undoubtedly like to see more scoring passes (one TD in two games), Jones has been a terrific game manager with a 73.9 per cent completion rate and zero interceptions. The New England run game has also thrived in Newton’s absence, averaging 4.2 yards per carry with two scores.
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