According to this Chris Simms podcast, the Saints will be favored in all but 3 games, a fact which Simms said he was shocked to hear. However, the over/under win total is 9.5. Obviously oddsmakers think we won’t be able to finish games, just like last year. Also of note, the host of the podcast said 77% of the Vegas money has been spent on the Falcons going OVER 8.5 wins as opposed to under.
Simms apparently didnt do his homework and look at our schedule. We have a powderpuff schedule by NFL standards. We dont play a QB that Derek Carr isnt at least the equal. If you gave us say, the Chargers schedule, we might be favored in 5 games. They play KC twice, Det, SF, Buff, Mia, Den twice, NYJ, Dal and Bal. Im not sure we would be favored in any of those 11 games on a neutral site - a couple of those might be a push. We have to capitalize on this schedule. And Allen has no excuses left if he cant win 10+.
Vegas and the 9.5 is all about Dennis Allen. Our perpetual injury situation and lack of overall depth would be concern #2.