Week 7 of the NFL season concludes with the New Orleans Saints visiting the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. Neither team has been overly impressive early in the season, so both will be looking to pick up a win. On the road, the Saints are listed as four-point favorites, with the over/under set at 41.5 points.
While the Saints are 3-2 coming off their bye week, they’ve yet to win back-to-back games. Impressive victories over the Packers and Patriots have been balanced out by a lopsided loss to the Panthers and a puzzling home defeat against the Giants. They now need a win on Monday just to stay within striking distance of the 6-1 Buccaneers.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks risk falling into last place in the NFC West with a loss on Monday. In fairness to the Seahawks, two of their four losses have come by a field goal. However, Seattle is also 0-2 at home, which is a rarity for the Seahawks, making Monday’s game critical if they want to get back on track.
Geno’s Game
With Russell Wilson hurt, the Seahawks continue to rely on Geno Smith to help them survive until Wilson can return. Smith has been solid but not particularly impressive over the past two weeks, completing 67% of his passes but throwing just two touchdown passes.
The Seahawks need to get their rushing game going against New Orleans, especially with Smith taking five sacks last week, as he’s not nearly as mobile as Wilson.
The Seahawks are also going to need a little more out of their defense while playing with a backup quarterback. Seattle has allowed at least 21 points in five straight games, including a couple of losses in which the Seahawks conceded at least 30 points.
Fortunately, Darrell Taylor, who leads the team in sacks, is expected to play after his scary injury in Pittsburgh last week.
Kamara’s Back
With Michael Thomas unavailable due to injury, the New Orleans offense has run on the back of Alvin Kamara, who is averaging close to 19 carries per game and also leads the team in receptions.
Quarterback Jameis Winston has limited himself to just three interceptions in five games while also throwing 12 touchdown passes. But without Thomas, he’s averaging less than 200 passing yards per game and completing just 60% of his passes.
Defensively, the Saints have managed to assist an undermanned offense, allowing just 18.2 points per game. However, that number is a little skewed by a dominant performance against Green Bay in Week 1 and a fine performance against the Patriots in Week 3.
The Saints have just eight sacks in five games, which is a concern, although the New Orleans defense has feasted on takeaways, forcing ten turnovers in five games.
Sloppy in Seattle
Much like the Sunday night game, Monday’s game is likely to be played in wet and windy conditions. That should make things difficult for both teams and force them to run the ball, perhaps taking the game out of Smith’s hands.
The weather should also force a close, low-scoring game, making it best to bet on the Seahawks as four-point home underdogs.
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