New York Jets at New Orleans Saints Odds
The 3-0 New York Jets take on the 3-0 New Orleans Saints Sunday afternoon at the Louisiana Superdome in a Week 4 non-conference clash. Last week, the Jets held on to beat the Titans 24-17 at home behind three touchdowns by rookie QB Mark Sanchez and the Saints won 27-7 in Buffalo behind a pair of touchdowns by running back Pierre Thomas. These teams have not met since 2005 when New Orleans won 21-19 behind three touchdown strikes by Aaron Brooks. The victory marked the fourth win in the past five meetings for the Saints to even the all-time series at 5-5. Only one of these teams will still be undefeated following Sunday and NFL odds makers think that team will be New Orleans, listing the Saints as a 7-point favorite with the total set at 45.
The Jets haven’t started a season 4-0 since 2004 and that’s what they’ll be gunning for Sunday. Few expected such a start from the Jets as they entered the season with a rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback. While QB Mark Sanchez is catching most of the headlines, it has been Rex Ryan’s defense that deserves most of the credit for New York’s strong start. Ryan’s defense has successfully rattled veteran QB’s Matt Schaub, Tom Brady, and Kerry Collins, but now it goes up against its toughest test yet. The Saints can score points in bunches and QB Drew Brees just might be the best signal caller in the NFL right now.
While Sanchez has played smart and confident football for the most part, he’s not going to be able to get the Jets in the playoffs by himself. New York must get its running game going with Thomas Jones this week. Since turning in a 107-yard performance in Week 1, Jones has gained just 74 yards the last two weeks combined. It is worth noting that the Jets are 5-0 against the spread in their last five games as an underdog.
We find out what Drew Brees and the New Orleans offense is really made of this week when it takes on defensive mastermind Rex Ryan and his defense. The Jets know they must get pressure on Brees but few quarterbacks in the game have a quicker release. Much like Kurt Warner, Brees is not afraid to dump the ball off to his backs. He is a master of taking what the defense gives him and letting his playmakers make plays. Because the Jets love to stuff the run up the middle and pressure the quarterback, Reggie Bush could be a major impact player for the Saints this week. If they can find ways to get him the ball on the outside on the ground and threw the air, he could take over with his speed. Teams have also had next to no success in slowing down Marques Colston, who has seven touchdowns in his last six games. It is also worth noting that the Saints are a perfect 7-0 against the spread in their last seven games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0 points.
