This is a sucker line, as I feel sure the Saints 3 straight losses to end the year coupled with the Cardinals high-scoring win at home over "chic" Green Bay will have the public lined up at the ticket window for a play on the Cards.
Not me!
The Cardinals went to the well last week in overtime in that win. Keep in mind they were the late game last Sunday, and now they are the early game on Saturday, and on the road.
New Orleans was the team to beat when they were 13-0, and I have a feeling the off-week helped not only to heal the injuries, but to help Sean Payton devise some new wrinkles that will pierce this reeling Cardinals defense.
The Saints have a better defense than the Cards, and in the end that will make the difference in this one.
Saints by 10 points.
As for the total, it is hard to imagine this game staying UNDER the total especially after what we witnessed last week in the Green Bay-Arizona game.
Arizona has played playoff OVERS in 5 of their last 6 postseason games, while New Orleans is 3-0-1 OVER the total in their last 4 playoff affairs.
There is just too much offense on the field, and with this game being contested in a dome, I just do not see this one holding UNDER the posted total.
Play the OVER!
500♦ - Baltimore Ravens plus the points
200♦ - Baltimore-Indianapolis OVER the total
Week 11, Indy 17-15 win and cover over the Ravens. Another near-miss for this Baltimore team that sports 5 season losses, 4 of them by 6 points or fewer, and ALL 4 coming against playoff teams this year!
Baltimore WILL BE THERE plus the points.
The Ravens should have won the regular season meeting, but a late Flacco interception cost them the chance at the win. Flacco wasn't the only one to throw an interception in that game, as Manning threw a pair. With Ed Reed back in action, Manning might be good for another costly pick tonight.
In the past the # 1 seed hasn't been Indy's cleanest path to deep in the playoffs, and I feel sure this one will be a lot tighter than the pointspread suggests.
Baltimore is 3-1 straight up on the postseason road since last year, and while they may not get the outright, I definitely feel the cover is in order.
As for the total, I also like the OVER in the late game.
With last week's OVER in New England, Baltimore is on a 5-1-1 OVER run their last 7 games as a road underdog, while the Colts have played HIGH their last 4 games overall, and 4 of their last 5 when favored.
I have the feeling this one will be a sweat as far as the over-under is concerned, but in the end I feel a little more comfortable on an indoor game going OVER the total.
All 4 playoff games last week went HIGH, both on Saturday go HIGH as well.
Joel Tyson
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