orioles

Can the Giants stop Brees often enough? Take the points. [b]Pick: New Orleans Saints +4.5 @ 1.91 [i] Pick: 1st TD Jimmy Graham @ 9 Pick: Anytime TD Marques Colston @ 2[/i][/b]

I'm looking forward to what could be an ill-tempered shoot out in the Georgia Dome. There's the must-win Saints against the avenging Falcons - and just for a little added piquancy, the Saints' bus was egged by staff at the Atlanta airport! Atlanta have a fearsome passing offense and that can't be good news for a Saints defense that ranks 30th against the pass. New Orleans also struggle against the run, but the Falcons have failed to get their ground game going; this could be the opportunity though, for Jacquizz Rodgers to finally wrest the lead back mantle from the cumbersome Michael Turner - although Turner still gets the ball close in, if you're looking at the TD market. Rodgers has begun to catch out of the backfield too, but while all this might suggest there's a significant Atlanta...

I said at the beginning of the season that I thought the Saints would be OK, despite 'Bountygate' - only for New Orleans to look completely lost. Luckily, they seem to have put that behind them now and are building up a head of steam that could see them go above .500 with a win today. Colin Kaepernick was outstanding last week; with a straightforward gameplan, he executed and the 49ers offense looked great. The Saints defense will find it difficult tonight, with an offense with power on the ground and targets deep that can get plenty of separation against guys like Patrick Robinson and Jabari Greer. New Orleans need to pressure Kaepernick, but they don't have much of a pass rush. Frank gore will be going up against Jonathan Vilma, Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne - a linebacking...

Those of you sitting in your second homes and ski lodges, financed by my baseball and football picks, will scarcely need reminding that I rarely make a losing selection, and even if I do, I'm not one of those people who curses his luck or trots out some lame excuse ... but the Eagles really stank it up against the Saints last week and should've won! My view of the Saints' defensive side of the ball is the same: they're awful. If Vick and his O line hadn't completely collapsed (Andy Reid sucked too, incidentally) New Orleans' season would be done. As it is, they won't be able to get to Matt Ryan with such ease today (he has better protection and a sharper release) and Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez should make hay. The Falcons can change it up with Michael Turner who is putting...