A high scoring game is expected on Sunday when the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts meet in Super Bowl XLIV. The Saints had the top-ranked offense in the NFL betting this season led by Drew Brees while the Colts have perhaps the best quarterback in the game in Peyton Manning. Oddsmakers seem to think there will be a lot of scoring as the total is the highest in Super Bowl history.
Indianapolis is a 4.5 point favorite with a total of 56.5 at SBG Global.
Indianapolis will be trying to win their second Super Bowl title in the last four years while it will be the first-ever Super Bowl for the Saints. The Saints may not have the experience edge but they do have Brees who led the NFL Odds with a 109.8 passer rating this season. He threw for 4,388 yards and led the league with 34 touchdown passes and the Saints led the league at 31.9 points per game. The Colts were seventh, averaging 26 points per game. “You understand just how explosive their offense can be,” Manning said. “I think you have to be careful trying to get out of your rhythm in order to keep up with them. You still have to go play offense the way we have played all year, trying to be efficient. We have been excellent on third down, been good in the red zone. Those things will be important this year.” Manning was second in the league with 4,500 yards and 33 TD passes. He has been virtually flawless in the playoffs this season with a 104.6 passer rating, throwing five TDs and only one interception.
Much of the attention this past NFL betting week has been on Indianapolis defensive end Dwight Freeney’s ankle. He could play but won’t be at full strength.
“I think he’ll be back and playing third downs. And I think he’ll be effective, until I see something different,” said Raheem Brock. The Colts have the defensive edge in this game as they were eighth in the league allowing 19.2 points per game while the Saints were 20th, allowing 21.3 points per game.
The Saints are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog. The Saints are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
The Colts are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite. The Colts are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 playoff games.
The Over is 5-0-1 in the Saints last 6 playoff games. The Over is 5-1 in the Colts last 6 games overall.
