Monday Night Football Betting Preview: New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Seahawks

New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Seahawks
Monday, 12/2/13, 8:40 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Seattle -4.5
Current Betting Line: Seattle -6.5
Opening Total: 46
Current Total: 47.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Seattle Seahawks are 3-0 SUATS as home favorites of 3.5 to 7 points since 2011

New Orleans has won three games in a row, including a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons as 7.5-point road favorites on Nov. 21, while winning the statistical battle for a fifth consecutive contest. The Saints are trying to stay ahead of the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro football odds page. Quarterback Drew Brees has completed 300-of-439 passes for 3,647 yards and 28 touchdowns with a 107.3 passer rating. New Orleans is 0-3 SUATS as road underdogs of 3.5 to 7 points the last two-plus seasons.

The Saints really need to win this game in hopes of gaining home-field advantage, especially since they’ve dropped all three road playoff games under current head coach Sean Payton. Brees has won nine straight starts on Monday Night Football due to compiling a 123.6 passer rating, which is important to consider when making your NFL betting picks. New Orleans is ranked fifth in total defense and tied for first in getting to the opposing quarterback.

Seattle has dropped 18 of its last 24 games following a bye week, but second-year quarterback Russell Wilson has been known to play his best football in this primetime affair, while also looking to improve his record at CenturyLink Field to 13-0. The Seahawks are 24-3 under head coach Pete Carroll when winning the turnover battle—something to consider due to the squad leading the NFL with 26 takeaways on the season. Seattle is 3-0 SUATS as home favorites of 3.5 to 7 points the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 2-1 in that situation.

The Seahawks always have the luxury of grinding out a football game with running back Marshawn Lynch, who is fourth in the league with 925 yards and averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Seattle may game plan to pound the football against a New Orleans defensive unit that allows an average of 111.9 rushing yards per game. The second quarter figures to play a big role in determining the winner, with the host scoring 97 points in that period, while the visitor checks in at 104.