Carolina Panthers at New Orleans SaintsSunday, November 9 at 4:05 p.m. ET
NFL odds: Saints -13
New Orleans is a heavy favorite, but it may not be warranted. Though undefeated, the Saints defense has been shredded over the past few weeks. Miami and Atlanta combined for almost 300 yards and six touchdowns, and the Saints were lucky to escape in both games. A dominant offense is covering up some serious weaknesses right now.
The Panthers have won three of their last four games. Many thanks belong to the running game, which is cranking out over 200 yards per game in the Panthers' last three tries. DeAngelo Williams is running like a man possessed with 399 yards and three scores during that stretch.
At 13 points, this spread simply favors the Saints too much. They've narrowly escaped defeat the past two weeks thanks to mean, bruising running games—something Carolina has in spades right now. Is it enough to topple New Orleans outright? Not likely. The Saints' pass defense is better than anyone in the NFL at making interceptions—and Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme might be better than anyone at throwing them. New Orleans has the offense to outgun Carolina but it will get gouged on the ground. Pick the Panthers to cover on your NFL picks.
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, November 9 at 1:00 p.m. ET
NFL odds: Colts -9
After three straight wins, the Texans bandwagon is getting crowded. Houston creamed Buffalo 31-10 last week with a huge second half. The key story was Steve Slaton's benching and the sudden emergence of Ryan Moats. The former Eagle racked up 126 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, and he'll join the regular rotation this week. The focus will remain on Matt Schaub, though, who is tied for the NFL lead in touchdown passes.
Speaking of great quarterback play, Peyton Manning remains brilliant. He was held without a touchdown pass against the 49ers last week, though, and the Colts offense managed just 18 points in the victory. It was nice to see the defense step up in a low-scoring game and bail out the offense; Indy has allowed the fewest points in the NFL this season and looks like a true Super Bowl threat on your sports picks.
Houston is solid if unspectacular on defense. It doesn't really excel at anything in particular, but it has been vulnerable to longer passes, giving up 22 completions of 20 yards or more this season. That's the kind of defense Peyton Manning can feast upon. The Colts, on the other hand, have the seventh-best pass "D" in the NFL. Schaub will be slowed down; Manning won't be. Take Indy to win and cover if you bet on sports this weekend.
