What was once the most competitive division in the NFL has quickly turned upside down into one of the most predictable. The Saints are the heavy NFL betting favorites in this division, but there could be some surprises in store for the reigning divisional champs.
The Saints were the darlings of the NFL last year, and what a story it was. With the past season behind them, they will have to prove that 2006 was not a fluke. This team could very well take it to the house in 2007.
Sean Payton really knows how to get the most out of his roster. After struggling to find a place for Reggie Bush in his scheme, the coach was able to unleash Reggie on the league in the second half of the season. Coupled with big Deuce McAllister, the Saints have a powerful, if not unstoppable, running game.
Adding Robert Meacham to a young, yet strong, receiving corps is a great move. Marques Colston and Devery Henderson came out of nowhere to emerge as two great threats. With Meacham in the fold, quarterback Drew Brees is in for another stellar year.
The defense is full of role-players who are excellent at swarming the ball and putting pressure on the quarterback. Their secondary was exposed by Chicago last year so that must remain a focus for them.
The Saints have one of the more potentially explosive offenses in the league, which makes life easy on their defense. With the sour taste of playoff defeat in their mouths, expect the Saints to come marching in hard and fast this season.
A Super Bowl is not far out of reach, but the divisional crown is virtually a certainty. You can bet safely on that once the NFL odds come back up after books figure out what is happening with the whole Michael Vick fiasco that is causing havoc with the lines for this division.