NFL SpreadSHREDDER, Week 2: 49 Reasons The New Orleans Saints Won't Cover

[Week 1 Record: 2-0-1]

The SpreadSHREDDER opened week one unbeaten, and has not lost on a bet since January of this year—the last time we did a SpreadSHREDDER in the regular season.  

The week 2 opening lines have been released and now is the correct time to pounce on them. 

Smart betters tackle the earlier lines, as they only reflect the sportsbooks' initial feeling on what prices will split the public. 

Such initial reactions usually need adjustments, so let's go shred these spreads before the lines become more reasonable.

SAN FRANCISCO (+4.5) OVER NEW ORLEANS

The San Francisco 49ers were basically handed the NFC West crown by the general media before the season even began. What followed was an embarrassing week one loss to the upstart Seattle Seahawks.  

What will now follow is a cavalcade of doubt and cynicism surrounding this 49er team as they prepare to take on the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.

The 49ers will be an underdog at home and on national television following an embarrassing loss. Underdogs on national television are always a great value bet (see Kansas City, week 1) as they tend to play over their heads with the hopes of proving their worth to a mass viewing audience.

San Francisco will be subject to an intense week of practice to be moderated by their taskmaster of a head coach Mike Singletary. 

It doesn't hurt that the New Orleans Saints have to worry about back-to-back divisional games on the horizon, and will be playing a non-conference game against a team who suddenly finds itself in somewhat of a must win situation.  

Even if you take out the emotional edges in play for San Francisco, the 49ers strong running game should overwhelm a Saints defense that was below average last year and allowed the Minnesota Vikings runningbacks to amass 4-yards per carry in week one.  

Coming off of an emotional week one win to open their season as Super Bowl champs for the first time in franchise history, expect the Saints to run into a buzz saw as a highly charged San Francisco 49ers crowd and rushing attack carry the newly motivated Niners to a week two victory.
 

SAN FRANCISCO, 24-10.

 

CAROLINA *(PK) OVER TAMPA BAY

Tampa Bay will be coming off of a phony win, influenced by turnovers that created a short field for a majority of their scoring drives.  

To extenuate the phoniness of their week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman's yard per pass attempt were fewer than that of Jake Delhomme. In most cases, the winning team has the higher yards per pass attempt. 

Otherwise, the win becomes inflated.

Carolina suffered an inflated loss that was influenced by three red zone interceptions by quarterback Matt Moore.  

Returning home against a divisional opponent lead by a coaching staff in only its second year should be more than enough of a platform for the Panthers to get on track.  

The Giants were effective moving the ball on offense and forced the Panthers into a shootout early that they did not want to be in. 

Tampa Bay has a mediocre offensive attack and an equally mediocre run defense. The Panthers, who only attempted 16 carries in week 1, should be able to return to their run first game plan behind their two talented backs in D'Angelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.   

This game plan should be further cemented should Jimmy Clausen take over as the starting quarterback for the home team, a situation where the Panthers would retain value as a relatively strong play.  
 

CAROLINA, 31-14

 

ST. LOUIS (+4) OVER OAKLAND

The Oakland Raiders gave up 38 points, after being beaten up for four quarters by the Tennessee Titans last week, and now they return home as a favorite.

This is a prime situation in which to bet an underdog.  

St. Louis showed character last week as they battled the Arizona Cardinals to the end.  The Rams also have great value under new quarterback Sam Bradford, who has seemingly provided a spark to this offense.  

As much promise as Bradford shows, expect the Rams to lean on their veteran runningback Stephen Jackson, who will be a tough test for an Oakland defense that gave up 205 yards on the ground to the Titans.

The Raiders have shown themselves to be a great value as an underdog, but we do not trust them to lay the points as a favorite after a disastrous defensive effort in week 1.  
 

ST. LOUIS, 21-9.  

*Injury situation, limited availability

[SpreadSHREDDER Point Spreads and wagering totals brought to you by Sportsbook.com by way of Vegasinsider.com.  Lines and totals subject to change.]

Big Nasty is the editor of The Big Nasty Athletic Dept. Log on to twitter at twitter.com/bignasty247 and follow him until he presses charges!