The New Orleans Saints have lost both games in which Michael Thomas has missed with a sprained ankle. Photo from @Saints (Twitter)
- After falling to 1-2, the New Orleans Saints are now co-favorites with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the NFC South
- The Buccaneers have won two games in a row to take the division lead while the Saints have lost back-to-back games
- The Saints will visit the Buccaneers in Week 9 on November 8 on Sunday Night Football
The New Orleans Saints were better than even-money favorites to win the NFC South going into Week 3. That is no longer the case.
The Saints lost at home to the Green Bay Packers 37-27 on Sunday night (September 27) to fall to 1-2. Their odds to win the division went from -180 to +100.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also now +100 after moving to the top of the division with a 2-1 record. That makes them co-favorites with the Saints.
Here is a look at the latest NFL divisional odds:
2020 NFC South Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | +100 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +100 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +1200 |
| Carolina Panthers | +3500 |
Odds taken Sept. 28 at FanDuel
Back-to-Back Losses
The Saints have lost two games in a row. To put that in perspective, the Saints lost just three games in each of the last two regular seasons.
The defeat to the Packers as a three-point favorite came after losing to the Raiders 34-24 at Las Vegas in Week 2 as four-point chalk.
Alvin Kamara had a career-high 197 yards from scrimmage in Week 3 – 58 rushing on six carries and 139 receiving with two touchdowns on 13 catches. Yet it wasn’t enough as the Saints’ defense couldn’t stop Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense.
One of Kamara’s touchdowns covered 52 yards. He took a pass from Drew Brees near the line of scrimmage and broke four tackles on the way to the end zone.
“He’s running WITH Kamara!” @Erik_McCoy_73 hit the NOS to lead the way for AK
: @SNFonNBC | #Saints pic.twitter.com/WwGWzddN4I
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 28, 2020
Ultimately it was not enough as Rodgers passed for 283 yards and three touchdowns.
Though top wide receiver Davante Adams was sidelined by a hamstring injury, the Saints were unable to stop Allen Lazard. He had six receptions for 146 yards and one TD.
Lazard burned the Saints’ secondary for gains of 48 and 72 yards on deep balls that set up touchdowns.
Going DEEP to @AllenLazard!
A 72-yard gain!#GBvsNO | #GoPackGo
https://t.co/2UxGSiVlvn pic.twitter.com/xhNfXMsZQr
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 28, 2020
Missing Thomas
The Saints played without top wide receiver Michael Thomas for the second straight week because of a high ankle sprain. They have yet to win without him.
Thomas set the NFL single-season record with 149 receptions last year.
In the season-opening 34-23 victory over the Buccaneers, Thomas was a non-factor. He had just three catches for 17 yards and was clearly not 100-percent.
Many Saints’ fans are hoping Thomas gets well soon.
He wanted to tell @Cantguardmike to get well soon! #WhoDatNation help him out and #RETWEEET so maybe he will see it! Who dat! @Saints @Nader723 @BSPN_NewOrleans #WHODAT #Saints pic.twitter.com/FYNyFejl50
— Katy Baines (@KatyBaines1523) September 21, 2020
Drew Brees has looked lost at times without his top target and spent most of the time against the Packers throwing to Kamara on check downs. Wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Tre’Quan Smith each had four receptions but for a total of just 98 yards.
Thomas reportedly was moving well in practice Friday. That is a good sign that he might be ready to play this week when the Saints visit the Detroit Lions.
Saints Did Beat Bucs
While the Buccaneers now lead the NFL South, it is instructive to go back to the opener and the Saints’ 11-point home win over Tampa Bay.
While Brees threw for just 160 yards and Kamara was held to 16 rushing yards on 12 carries, the Saints were clearly the better team.
The defense had Tom Brady out of sync all day as he completed just 23 of 36 passes. The Saints also intercepted him twice, including a 36-yard pick-six by Janoris Jenkins in the third quarter that put the Saints comfortably ahead 24-7.
TOM BRADY PICK-SIX’D BY JANORIS JENKINS
(via @nfl) pic.twitter.com/W11BIVh3l0
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 13, 2020
The teams have gone in opposite directions since then. While the Saints have lost their last two, the Buccaneers have won two in a row – 31-17 at home over the Carolina Panthers and 28-10 over the Denver Broncos on the road Sunday.
Brady had three touchdowns passes in the latest win and linebacker Shaq Barrett registered two sacks.
Week 9 Showdown
The Saints and Buccaneers will square off again in Week 9 on November 8 at Tampa Bay on Sunday Night Football. That figures to be a pivotal game in the NFC South race.
However, the Saints have already proven they can beat the Buccaneers. New Orleans has too much talent to stay in this lull for long, especially with the return of Thomas seemingly on the horizon.
The Saints are still the class of the NFC South and a good bet to make it four straight division titles.
John Perrotto has been covering and writing about sports for various outlets for over 40 years. His work has appeared in the likes of USA TODAY, ESPN.com, SI.com, Forbes.com, The Associated Press, Baseball Digest, and more. John is based out of Beaver Falls, PA.
source https://casinonewsblogger.com/saints-now-co-favorites-with-bucs-to-win-nfc-south-after-1-2-start-to-season/
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