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After making the NFC Championship game at the end of the 2006 season, the Saints had Super Bowl aspirations entering 2007. Things quickly went south as the Saints got off to an 0-4 start and finished with a 7-9 mark. New Orleans fans are hoping last year was just a blip in the progression of a young team. NFL Betting odds at SBGglobal.com list the Saints at +1000 odds to win the NFC title in 2008. New Orleans fielded a playoff caliber offensive unit last year. Drew Brees posted solid numbers in accumulating an 89.4 passer rating, but he also threw 18 interceptions. Still, the Saints compiled 361.3 yards per game and 23.7 points per game. Aside from the turnover issues, what really plagued the offense last year was an unproductive rushing attack. Reggie Bush failed to live up to the hype in leading New Orleans to a miserable 91.3 yards rushing per game.  If Deuce McAllister can return healthly, he and Bush will give the team the solid one-two rushing punch it had in 2006. The air attack should be potent as well with Brees still throwing to playmakers like Marques Colston and David Patten. The offensive line is solid, demonstrated by the 16 allowed sacks in 2007, but it will be without center Jeff Faine who departed to Tampa in the off season. The Saints defense took a major step back in 2007. After their surprising play in 2006 many expected an even more capable unit last year. Those expectations never materialized as the New Orleans defense gave up 24.3 points per game and 245.3 yards passing per game. The Saints front office had a busy off season trying to rectify last year's defensive woes. They started by trading for Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma and adding former Patriot cornerback Randall Gay via free agency. The club also took defensive players with its first three picks in this year's draft - including USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and speedy corner Tracy Porter out of Indiana. NFL Betting odds at SBGglobal.com indicate that things may be back on track for the Saints this year as they are listed at +135 odds to win the NFC South. New Orleans is set at 8.5 with the over a -160. Make sure you checkout our live NFL Betting Odds feed which provides the real time point spreads from the top internet sports books in the world, all in one easy to use location. Get line moves in real time and find out which NFL team has the best betting odds.
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