clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Saints open as 6.5 point favorites over the Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals head to New Orleans, where the Saints had an 11-game home winning streak broken -- and a 20-game home winning streak with the Drew Brees and Sean Payton combination snapped.

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sport

Heading into Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, the Cincinnati Bengals are currently listed as 6.5-point underdogs. Underdogs. Undercats, maybe? Undertigers?

The game will be played in New Orleans, where the Saints lost their first home game since Dec. 30, 2012, snapping an 11-game home winning streak on Sunday. You can thank three turnovers by quarterback Drew Brees, neutralizing a Mark Ingram 120-yard rushing effort on offense. Phil Dawson converted a 35-yard chip-shot (Mike Nugent: "Bull sh*t) in overtime to give San Francisco the 27-24 win. Per the News Star:

It was also the Saints' first home loss in the era of coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees since the 2010 season finale to Tampa Bay, breaking that 20-game streak. Payton missed the 2012 season on suspension.

The spread of Sunday's game against the Bengals is the "third-largest point spread for the Saints this season." Per NOLA:

The Saints have twice been 10-point favorites this season. In those games, the Saints covered the spread against the Minnesota Vikings by winning 20-9, and failed to cover against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 37-31 overtime victory.

With the way that the Bengals are playing, think that the Saints will cover? I say Bengals win, 24-20 (Burfict returns three fumbles/interceptions for touchdowns, and Mike Nugent hits a 35-yard field goal).