Saints Bengals Betting – Saints Continue Playoff Push On The Road
The New Orleans Saints are trying to keep pace with the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South. They’ll try to avoid an upset loss against the Cincinnati Bengals.
NFL Betting: New Orleans Saints @ Cincinnati Bengals
Online Betting Odds: Saints -7
Why To Bet On The Saints
New Orleans played a very poor football game last Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys. The Saints dropped easy touchdown passes, and Reggie Bush – the hybrid running back and punt returner who had been out for the past several weeks with an injury – fumbled a punt in his first game back. New Orleans coasted to a 20-3 lead, only to see Dallas take a late 27-23 lead and complete a long pass deep into New Orleans territory. However, a fumble recovery followed by a long touchdown drive enabled the Saints to beat the Cowboys, 30-27. The defending Super Bowl champions were able to win while not playing at their best (or anything close to it). That’s the sign of a good football team.
The Saints are also a strong favorite in this game because Cincinnati’s offense is falling apart. Quarterback Carson Palmer is nothing like the man who used to be a devastatingly effective All-Pro signal caller. Palmer went just 17-for-38 as a passer in last Thursday’s loss to the New York Jets. The Bengals were the preseason favorite in the AFC North because the Pittsburgh Steelers lacked both Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes, but now Cincinnati has just two wins entering the month of December. The Bengals are clearly the most disappointing team in the AFC this season, with Minnesota gaining that dubious distinction in the NFC.
Why To Bet On The Bengals
The Bengals, for all of their woes, are still playing hard and fighting well on the defensive side of the ball. Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis was an excellent defensive coordinator before he took the top spot in the Queen City, and he’s still getting some production from his defense. In Thursday’s 26-10 loss in New York to the Jets, the Bengals’ defense allowed just 17 of those 26 points. New York scored seven points on a kickoff return for a touchdown, and two more when the Jets’ defense sacked Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer for a safety. Since New Orleans, as mentioned above, played a lazy and sloppy game against Dallas on Nov. 25, the Saints are clearly vulnerable on the road, especially in a cold-weather environment that is less friendly to the passing game than the climate-controlled environment provided by Dallas’ retractable-roof stadium. All Cincinnati needs are a few big plays on offense, and the tenor of this game could shift in a heartbeat. If Palmer can play just one solid game and avoid the turnover bug that’s been killing him in 2010, the Bengals have more than a puncher’s chance in this contest.
How The Game Will Play Out
The Saints, like any good team, should be relieved to have won when they struggled at Dallas. Will New Orleans play two bad games in a row? It’s doubtful. The champs should thrive unless the weather is rainy or nasty in Ohio. Take the Saints.
Saints Bengals Betting Pick: Saints
