Prime-Time First TD Bets — Sunday Night Football, Week 16
Alex Christenson
Mac Jones and the New England Patriots play host to the New Orleans Saints in Week 3 of the NFL Season. The Saints struggled against the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 and are looking for a bounceback here after an amazing Week 1 victory. They are slated as dogs and losing by a field goal to the Patriots by the oddsmakers.
New Orleans Saints vs. New England Patriots Week 3 odds
Date/Time: September 26, 1 p.m. ET
Arena: Gillette
How to watch: Fox
Opening odds: Patriots -3 | O/U 43 (DraftKings Sportsbook)
Latest Saints-Patriots odds
Looking for the latest odds for this matchup? Here they are, with the best prices from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Patriots -3
- Total: 43
Opening odds – Saints-Patriots
The Patriots are coming off a strong win over the New York Jets and are once again favorites against the Saints. Jameis Winston and company are coming off a very unproductive day Sunday where the Carolina Panthers completely shut them down. This will be their second time this season being dogs by a field goal.
Quarterback analysis – Jameis Winston vs. Mac Jones
If Jameis Winston could have Week 2 erased from the season, he would do so quickly. He only attempted 22 passes against the Carolina Panthers, throwing for just 111 yards with two interceptions. Winston couldn’t get anything going, and the same was true for the Saints offense overall. It was the complete opposite of Week 1, and now people are wondering which Jameis they will see against New England.
Mac Jones didn’t really have any stats boosted versus the New York Jets, as it was Damien Harris and James White who found the end zone via the run game. Jones is showing that he can manage a game well and be efficient. He completed 22 of his 30 passes and threw for 186 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. There will be one thing we get with Jones, and that’s safety as he has not tried to overdo things or go against the grain. He plays to his strengths and the strengths of his offense.
Latest Saints betting news & info
The Saints may have gotten lucky Week 1 facing a Green Bay team that stayed home basically, as the Saints routed them 38-3. As they are 1-1 in the NFC South, they are 1-1 ATS while going under in their first two games. The offense is currently ranked last in the passing game while ranking 17th in the run game, averaging 109.5 yards per game. With the huge blowout Week 1, the Saints are also coming back down to Earth, averaging just 22.5 points per game which most likely will continue to drop.
Even being a dog at +3 this week, it’s hard to say if the Saints can keep it close if Mac Jones manages this game correctly and keeps the Patriots offense on the field over allowing the Saints any opportunities.
Latest Patriots betting news & info
The Patriots are similar to the Saints so far. They are also 1-1 while splitting the spread 1-1 but going under in the first two games. The difference? There’s more trust with this Patriots team than in the Saints. Jones has been able to control the offense with the reins being handed to him right before the season opener. While the passing game hasn’t been phenomenal the first two weeks, the run game behind Harris and White is something to watch. They are averaging a total of 113 rushing yards per game.
Another difference is what this defense has done so far for the Patriots. They have five takeaways already and are only allowing just 297.5 yards per game. This Saints offense could fall in the trap of this defense, which will allow Jones and the offense more time on the field.
Saints vs. Patriots betting picks – NFL Week 3
The clear favorite play here between the spread and the total is the total. Neither team is a high-scoring offense, as the Saints were brought back to Earth after a shocking Week 1 victory over Green Bay. While neither offense is high producing, this New England Patriots defense will be looking to shut them down. For the spread, the route is to go with the New England Patriots as Bill Belichick will run this offense the way it works for Jones.
Here are our betting picks for Saints vs. Patriots in Week 3.
FTNBets best bets
- UNDER 43 (DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Patriots -3 (DraftKings Sportsbook)
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