Pats vs Saints Preview

Once again we have to ask what the guys in Vegas know that we don't know. The Pats are favored by 10 points over the Aints this week. I'll take the Saints and the points, thank you. While I think the Pats will/should win, all I can find are reasons why the Saints should win this game.

1. The Pats are at home, where the crowds have been silent and the Saints over the last two seasons are better on the road than they've been at home.

2. Joe Horn and Dante Stallworth are legit deep threats. They must be salivating over the Pats secondary.

3. Mobile quarterback and Mike Vick's cousin, Arron Brooks. This will come into play on 3rd down convertions. The Pats D is horrible on 3rd down, now factor in a QB that can run for it IF the receivers are covered. Bad news.

4. The Saints are 31st against the run. So we can expect Heath Evans to go for 100yds this week?

5. The Saints D is 5th against the Pass, 4th in sacks and 3rd in INT's.

6. The Saints are good against the pass because their D-line is great at generating a pass rush with just 4 rushers. (Watch for Wil Smith) With a 4 man rush, they can cover with 7.

7. The Saints are coming off their bye week.

8. The Saints are out of it and have nothing to play for. Playing the defending super bowl champs is the super bowl for them this year. They'll be fired up.

9. Does Antwan Smith have something to prove to his old team?

10. I would have made this a top ten list had I thought of a 10th reason.

It appears to me that the Pats MUST be able to run the ball in order to win. Heath Evans will probably have 100 yds if the Pats win. Either that, or they come out and score early and let the Saints pack it in.

My pick: Pats 24-20

NOTES:

Patrick Pass has been practicing this week. It will be interesting to see if Belichick is willing to play him after his horrendous fumble vs. Bills.

Matt Light and Kevin Faulk are now both listed as questionable. Both had been listed as OUT for the last several weeks.

The Pats spent the majority of Thursdays practice working on 3rd down situations.

Tom Brady leads the NFL in passing yards with 2,560. At his current pace he will throw for a total of 4551 yds, just 4 behind the Franchise record of 4555 set by Bledsoe in 1994.

If Brady maintains his QB rating of 94.9 he will break the franchise record of 93.4 currently held by Tony Eason since 1984.

Enjoy the game, it should be another good one.