New Orleans Saints Look To Snap Skid Against Washington Redskins

NFL News - December 1st, 2009 - Written by John

Deservedly giddy after their best win this season, the New Orleans Saints have established themselves as one of the true powers in the NFL with a front-runner for the MVP award. Now, they will turn their attention a team that has befuddled the franchise for more than two decades when they travel to FedEx Field to face the Washington Redskins.

The highest-scoring team in the league is favored by 9 1/2, according to the Week 13 NFL Betting Odds as found at DSI Sportsbook. The total for the game is set at an over/under of 48 points.

The Washington Redskins have won two-straight games over the Saints and are 7-3 against them since 1988.

But this year, it doesn't look like anyone can slow down Drew Brees and his high-powered offense, scoring at least 38 points six times this year. Not good news for the 'Skins, who have allowed 27 points or more in three of their last five games.

Brees narrowly passed Brett Favre as the league's highest-rated passer after a flawless performance against the New England Patriots. He threw for a season-high 371 yards and five touchdowns, the first time anyone had thrown for that many scores against Bill Belichick, and is fifth with 3,117 yards. His 27 touchdowns leads the league, and he has only been sacked 14 times.

Four New Orleans Saints' receivers have over 400 yards through the air this year, and Marques Colston leads the team with 808 yards.

But last year, basically the same team was handled 29-24 by the Redskins in a game that limited New Orleans to only 250 total yards.

Surely, these are different circumstances, but what shouldn't be lost is the fact that Washington has steadily improved over the weeks, losing it's previous two games by four combined points. It's passing defense is second-to-none, being one of only three units to allow fewer than 2,000 yards this season. They allow only 170 passing yards per game.

The offense continues to improve under the direction of new play-caller Sherman Lewis, and quarterback Jason Campbell has 487 yards in the last two games. Clinton Portis will be out once again, however, paving the way for Rock Cartwright to make his second-career start.

The Saints have played the over in nearly every game this year, including 20 of their last 27 games against NFC opponents. But the Redskins have played the under in 10 of the last 12 home games.

New Orleans is 7-1-1 ATS in it's last nine road games.

Washington, on the other hand, is 2-9 ATS in it's last 11 home games.