Sunday Night Football will see the Indianapolis Colts travel to play the New Orleans Saints. The game is scheduled for an 8:20 kickoff and will be televised nationally on NBC. The Saints are favored to win the game by 13.5 points with the total set at 49. The Saints lost a tough game last week to the Tampa Bay Bucs 26-20 while the Colts lost 27-17 to the Cincinnati Bengals. New Orleans has been very tough to beat at home this season, winning both games by a combined 34 points, 17 point wins in both. The Colts, on the other hand, have been terrible on the road, losing all three games by an average of of nearly 14 points.
Free Analysis: Drew Brees and the Saints are looking to get back to winning after dropping a game to the Tampa Bay Bucs last week. These two teams faced off in the Super Bowl a couple of years ago with the Colts winning behind the play of Peyton Manning. Oh, how the Colts have fallen this season. They're sporting an 0-7 record and have dearly missed their star quarterback. Curtis Painter will have to continue to pick up the slack for Indy if they are to contend in this football game tonight. We all know Brees will be tough tonight. Drew Brees set an NFL record by topping 350 yards passing for the fourth consecutive contest last Sunday, but he also threw three interceptions. Without the three picks, the Saints probably win easily over the Bucs. New Orleans will also have to get back to running the ball effectively, especially after a loss. Last week the Saints had just 70 yards rushing. Indy has been pretty bad on offense so far this season but they have shown some signs of life. All things considered, they are 0-7, but they have been competitive for most of the year. That's important, especially playing in a tough game on the road tonight. But I don't see it. The Colts are giving up nearly 28 points per game and this Saints team needs a good win. I haven't been too impressed with the Colts defense, especially in the secondary. They are allowing more than 250 yards through the air this season. But maybe they'll have an opportunity to get some picks against Brees, who has thrown for 8 this season already. If they are able to get pressure up front on the Saints, they could cause turnovers they will need to hang around. Tight end Jimmy Graham will prove to be a major player in tonight's game, if he goes. Graham has had a very successful 2011 campaign to date, as he is third in the league in receiving yards (620) and tied for second in targets (59).
Free Pick: I like New Orleans in this game, even though they are favored by nearly two touchdowns. After a very lackluster performance last week by QB Drew Brees, I think the team rebounds nicely tonight. Head Coach Sean Payton won't be on the sidelines after blowing his ACL last week and he'll be up in the press box. Not sure where that factors into this situation, but it could. However, the Saints have won both of their games at home this season by 17 points apiece. If they are able to play well offensively, run the football effectively and keep Painter and the Colts at bay, I think the Saints win rather easily.