New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks 2011 NFL Playoff Predictions, Odds, and Picks: Quarterback Drew Brees will lead his defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints to Qwest Field to take on the Seattle Seahawks in the Wildcard round of the NFC Playoffs on Saturday at 4:30 PM ET on FOX Sports. The Saints enter the playoffs at 11-5 only good enough for 2nd in the NFC South and a wildcard berth while the Seahawks come in at just 7-9 but good enough for 1st in the weak NFC West and a home playoff game as a division champion. “We battled like crazy for this as did the other teams in our division as did the teams in other divisions so we’re the last guys standing here,” first year head football coach Pete Carroll said. “We’re proud of that and we’re going to go represent and hopefully do something really special with our opportunity and see how far we can go.” Coach Carroll named Matt Hasselbeck the starting quarterback after missing the last game with an injury which might not please the Saints as he has thrown for more than 360 yards against them on 2 occasions. The odds makers at BetUS have the New Orleans Saints -10 1/2 point favorites on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Saints are coming off a 23-13 loss at home to the Tampa Bay Bucs to finish the season at just 6-10 ATS. Quarterback Drew Brees completed 22 of 38 passes for 196 yards a touchdown and a pick hitting Adrian Arrington with 7 balls for 79 yards. The Saints will play their third game in 12 days when they face the Seahawks on Saturday. “It is different from a time standpoint,” head football coach Sean Payton said. “When you play a Saturday game, there’s a quick turnaround, but that being said, we’re looking forward to the challenge. “We know it’s going to be a tough place to play,” he said. “The crowd noise is as loud as it is in the league for an outdoor venue. We’ll need to have a good week of preparation, weather included.” Vegas odds makers have the New Orleans Saints as +1000 odds to win the 2011 Super Bowl.
The Seahawks are coming off a 16-6 victory at home to propel them into the playoffs over the St. Louis Rams leaving them at 7-9 ATS one cover more than the Saints. Running back Marshawn Lynch carried 20 times for 75 yards to lead the rushing attack for the Hawks. The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle’s last 6 games when playing New Orleans. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 44 ½ points combined of the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks.
I predict the Seahawks to cover the spread at home!
Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert NFL Football Predictions against the Vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.