NFL Week 2 Predictions: New Orleans Saints vs. Cleveland Browns

New Orleans Saints vs. Cleveland Browns
Sunday, 9/14/14, 1:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: New Orleans -6
Current Betting Line: New Orleans -6
Opening Total: 47.5
Current Total: 48.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Seahawks Saints NFL Preview — The New Orleans Saints are 7-7 ATS as favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 2012

New Orleans will look to move past a 37-34 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons as three-point road favorites last Sunday, as it lost the statistical battle by 96 yards, while going OVER the betting total of 51. The Saints need to step it up defensively, which is important to consider when making your Week 2 NFL predictions, as they allowed 568 yards against the Falcons—the second-highest single-game total given up in franchise history. New Orleans is 9-5 SU and 7-7 ATS as favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points the last two-plus seasons, with the UNDER going 8-6 in that situation.

The Saints have one of the more balanced offensive attacks in the league, as head coach Sean Payton called 42 passes and 28 runs in last week’s affair, with running backs Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas combining to gain 91 yards on the ground. New Orleans always has the ability to move the ball on the ground, considering quarterback Drew Brees has thrown for more than 5,000 yards in each of the last three seasons, while completing 29 of 42 passes for 333 yards with a touchdown and interception in Week 1.

Cleveland is also aiming to even its record through two games, as it suffered a 30-27 setback to the Pittsburgh Steelers as 5.5-point road underdogs, while going OVER the betting total of 41.5. The Browns have won 12 of their 16 all-time meetings against the Saints, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NFL betting odds, but they’ve dropped two of the last three games played at home. Cleveland is 2-13 SU and 7-7-1 ATS as underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 2012, with the OVER going 8-7 in that situation.

The Browns need to get starting quarterback Brian Hoyer in rhythm early, as the offense will need to score three or four touchdowns to win this game. Cleveland also has a rough time defensively in its season opener, as it allowed 490 yards, and it could also be without the services of Desmond Bryant and Barkevious Mingo in this matchup.