2010 Divisional NFL Playoffs: Cardinals vs. Saints Odds, Trends & Predictions
After losing their last three games in the regular season, the New Orleans Saints will put everything on the line Saturday when they host the Arizona Cardinals at 4:30PM ET.
The Cardinals beat the Packers 51-45 as a 3.5-point underdog last Sunday on Wildcard Weekend. The combined score sailed over the posted total of 49 points.
Kurt Warner threw for 379 yards and a whopping five touchdowns for Arizona in the win, while receiver Larry Fitzgerald caught six passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns.
The Saints lost to the Panthers 23-10 as a 10-point underdog in Week 17 of the regular season. They were off last week after earning the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Saints 7-point favorites over the Cardinals in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. The over/under total for this matchup has been set at 57 points.
The most recent trends have not been kind to the Saints, who are 0-5 against the spread in their last five games and 1-4 ATS in their last five games at home. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are 6-3 against the number in their last nine games on the road and 7-2 straight up in their last nine games away from home.
That said, New Orleans is 4-1 against the spread in its last five games when playing Arizona, so the Saints have had a fair amount of success against the Cardinals in the two teams’ recent history.
Our free pick prediction for this game is the Saints –7. Everyone seems to be forgetting how good this New Orleans team was during the regular season. While momentum certainly isn’t on their side, the Saints enter Saturday’s game as healthy as they have been in months.
Defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis’ return to the lineup will be huge for the Saints’ run defense. They’re a different unit with him anchoring the interior of the defensive line and we think he’ll make a world of difference against Beanie Wells and Arizona’s rushing attack. The Saints also have the second best red zone defense in the league, which is pivotal considering the Cardinals have the top red zone offense.
The Cardinals’ defense was atrocious last Sunday against the Packers, who like the Saints, have a ton of weapons at their disposal. We expect big things from Drew Brees and Sean Payton’s offense, and fully expect the Saints to cover the 7-point spread. We also like the under in this game, which has covered in four of New Orleans’s last five games at home.
Our NFL Divisional Free Pick for this matchup is: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS –7 and UNDER 57.
Cardinals vs. Saints Current Odds
109 Arizona Cardinals +7 (+240 moneyline) Over 57
110 New Orleans Saints –7 (-280 moneyline) Under 57
NFL Divisional Round Playoffs Betting Trends
Arizona is 15-7 ATS in its last 22 games
Arizona is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Arizona
New Orleans is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona
NFL Divisional Round Playoffs Injury Report
ARIZONA
[RB] 08/05/2009 - Justin Green IR ( Knee )
[LB] 09/29/2009 - Cody Brown IR ( Wrist )
[S) 12/16/2009 - Matt Ware IR ( Knee )
[OT] 12/23/2009 - Mike Gandy IR ( Pelvis )
[WR] 01/12/2010 - Anquan Boldin is upgraded to probable Saturday vs. New Orleans ( Ankle )
[DE] 01/05/2010 - Jason Banks IR ( Undisclosed )
[LB] 01/12/2010 - Gerald Hayes "?" Saturday vs. New Orleans ( Ankle )
NEW ORLEANS
- 09/29/2009 - Jammal Brown IR ( Hip )
[TE] 09/05/2009 - Billy Miller IR ( Achilles )
[CB] 08/16/2009 - Reggie Jones IR ( Undisclosed )
[LB] 08/16/2009 - Mark Simoneau IR ( Tricep )
[FS] 09/05/2009 - Chip Vaughn IR ( Knee )
[FB] 09/05/2009 - Olaniyi Sobomehin IR ( Undisclosed )
[FB] 10/29/2009 - Heath Evans IR ( Leg )
[WR] 10/16/2009 - Rod Harper IR ( Knee )
[DT] 11/08/2009 - Kendrick Clancy IR ( Knee )
[CB] 11/28/2009 - Leigh Torrence IR ( Shoulder )
[LB] 12/09/2009 - Jo-Lonn Dunbar IR ( Hamstring )
[FB] 12/22/2009 - Marcus Mailei IR ( Hamstring )
[LB] 01/11/2010 - Scott Shanle probable Saturday vs. Arizona ( Concussion )
[CB] 01/13/2010 - Usama Young probable Saturday vs. Arizona ( Hip )
[WR] 01/11/2010 - Lance Moore probable Saturday vs. Arizona ( Ankle )
[RB] 01/11/2010 - Pierre Thomas probable Saturday vs. Arizona ( Ribs )
[TE] 01/13/2010 - David Thomas probable Saturday vs. Arizona ( Calf )
[FS] 01/13/2010 - Darren Sharper probable Saturday vs. Arizona ( Knee )
[DE] 01/05/2010 - Charles Grant IR ( Tricep )