2007 Record: 9-7 (3-5 H, 4-4 A)
2007 Against the Spread: 6-10 (2-6 H, 4-3 A); 10-6 vs. Total (5-3 H, 5-3 A)
2007 Rankings: 4th Offense (28th Rush, 3rd Pass); 26th Defense (13th Rush, 30th Pass)
2008 Odds: 18-1 Super Bowl odds, 7-1 NFC Championship odds, 6-5 NFC South odds, 8.5 wins (O/U)

I know the public is once again very high on the Saints. In fact, many have them down for double-digit wins. But really? This is the same team that folks had as a potential Super Bowl team last year. In fact, many have picked them once again. I have always been a fan of good defense and am a firm believer that defense wins championships. Maybe this belief involves the fact that I was raised an Alabama Crimson Tide fan, but watching the Saints defense makes me vomit. It's pathetic. At times, this team has their moments on defense, but overall, they are miserable. Let's not forget this was the 26th best defense in the league last year and nearly dead last on pass defense. It was as if the secondary was a $20 hooker as they were simply being run around by any team that faced them. Although this offense has prowess, much of that intensity and momentum is taken away when the defense continues to allow points in a flurry.

Remember, Drew Brees struggled during the early part of last year and this team had no sync offensively. On top of that, the Saints as mentioned were 26th in the league in defense as they gave up a total of 348 yards per game. Although it was in the preseason, this young Saints defense has given up 316.5 yards per ballgame already this year. In fact, the Saints actually finished below the Panthers last year if you look at the results and tiebreaking rules. Heck, this team had a net point total of -9 as compared to their opponents despite putting up 47 touchdowns. What does that say about a team when you can put up 47 touchdowns and still managed to get outscored? One would think that the Saints would have focused aggressively on defense during the offseason, but I just do not see them improving drastically on their Achilles heel.

Once again, I admire the Saints offense and their ability to put up points. But, I believe defense wins championships and divisions - the Saints just do not have the personnel nor the coaching on defense to cut it. To show you the disparities between the Saints defense and the Buccs defense, take a look at the Bucs who scored only 36 touchdowns last year. But, the Bucs managed to outscore their opponents by a net gain of 64 points. The Saints on the other hand, scored 11 more touchdowns (77 points) and actually were outscored by their opponents by nine points.

Furthermore, the Saints have consistently had trouble winning the big game. If you remember, the Saints did not cover against the Eagles at home in the playoffs two years ago and they got pummeled by the Bears on the road during another recent playoff game as well. Thus, due to the Bucs significantly better defense, the Saints porous secondary and inability to win the big game, the Saints will fail to win the division.

2008 New Orleans Saints Predictions: 9-7 (Loses tie-breaker to the Buccs) ATS Trends to look for: Road Overs.

Click the link for the 2008 New Orleans Saints Schedule and results.