NFL Betting Game Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints

Betting Overview

When you read the NFL scores from Week 7, the first thing that jumps out at you is the fact that the Cleveland Browns (2-5) went into New Orleans and beat the defending Super Bowl champion Saints (4-3) 30-17. No one making NFL predictions would have said that could happen, but it was the way it happened...that just seems odd.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1) required help from the referee to win their Week 7 game over the Miami Dolphins (3-3) by a score of 23-22. But, once again, it was not that the Steelers won; it was how odd the game was that makes it significant.

Defense

When you look at the defensive stats for both the Saints and the Steelers in their Week 7 games, it makes you wonder how the opposition scored any points at all. The Saints held the Cleveland Browns to just 87 yards passing and 125 yards on the ground. The only offensive touchdown allowed by the Saints was scored by Cleveland fullback Peyton Hillis.

The Steelers allowed Miami Dolphins (3-3) quarterback Chad Henne to throw for 257 yards and a touchdown, but they limited that Wildcat offense to just 64 total rushing yards and no touchdowns. How the Dolphins were able to stay so close to the Steelers in that game is a mystery.

Offense

Big Ben Roethlisberger played like the Super Bowl quarterback he is when he threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Miami. It was Ben who fumbled the ball into the end zone in the fourth quarter and caused the controversial call that gave the game to the Steelers. Regardless of the officials' problems in that game, Roethlisberger was in full effect and he is back to full speed after his four-game suspension.

Another mystery about the Saints’ NFL betting loss to the Browns is that Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw for 356 yards and two touchdowns in that game. He spread the field out, and picked up the slack for the New Orleans running game that was non-existent in Week 7. But, yet, it was not enough to bring home the win.

The Bottom Line

The Saints are in trouble in this game. The reason they lost to the Browns was turnovers and ill-timed penalties. Brees threw four interceptions while the Saints had seven penalties for 98 yards total. The defense was there for the Saints, but the discipline was not.

The Steelers are coming into this game with a strong pass rush and a strong run defense. The Saints will have to rely on Brees again, and with Troy Polamalu out there hawking the ball Brees could be in for another big turnover day.

The Saints special teams have also been lackluster lately with no one really getting the team good field position after a punt. The pressure that the Steelers will put on the Saints offense could result in a lot of changes in possession, and if Ben is on target in this game then it could be a very long day for the defending Super Bowl champions.

Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers 23-13