New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts: NFL Preseason Week 3 Betting Odds and Predictions

New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts
Saturday, 8/23/14, 8:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Indianapolis -1
Current Betting Line: Indianapolis -2
Opening Total: 47
Current Total: 47.5
Odds Courtesy of 5Dimes

Seahawks Saints NFL Preview — New Orleans QB Drew Brees is expected to make his 2014 preseason debut Saturday

New Orleans has won and covered the number in both of its 2014 preseason games, including a 31-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans as three-point home favorites last week, while going OVER the betting total in both affairs. Saints quarterback Drew Brees will make his debut, which can’t be ignored when making your NFL predictions, especially since he’s not expected to play in the final exhibition game. Brees will likely try to target rookie wide receiver Brandin Cooks in the passing game, but it’s not certain if he’ll play due to battling a stomach virus all week.

The Saints will have their projected starting offensive line in front of Brees, which is important to consider when looking over the NFL betting lines in Week 3. On the other side of the ball, New Orleans is looking to improve its secondary play, but its been without the services of cornerback Champ Bailey and safety Jairus Byrd. With Brees returning to take the majority of snaps with the No. 1 offense, the backup quarterback battle is worth watching, especially since Ryan Griffin has completed 29 of 42 passes for 358 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.

Indianapolis has dropped both of its exhibition affairs, while also losing out on the statistical battle. The Colts certainly want to develop some type of rhythm offensively in terms of the running game, as expected starter Trent Richardson is averaging just 2.4 yards a carry in the preseason. Ahmad Bradshaw should make his debut after spending part of training camp wearing a non-contact jersey in practice, as he missed the final 13 games of the 2013 campaign with a neck injury.

The Colts aren’t sure if wide receiver Reggie Wayne’s status heading into this matchup, but they’d like to get him in the action with quarterback Andrew Luck targeting him in the passing game. Indianapolis has had its starters play about five-to-six drives together this preseason, but head coach Chuck Pagano expects to double the work output in this affair.