New Orleans Saints get healthier Detroit Lions this time around
 

If one thing stood out the last time the Detroit Lions came to town to play the New Orleans Saints, it was the players who didn't play. The most prominent of them was defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, then serving a suspension for losing his cool in a game against the Green Packers on Thanksgiving Day -- but there were others.

Part of the story when New Orleans (13-3) hosts Detroit (10-6) in an NFC wild-card game Saturday night will be Suh's return. At least, that's a story line that will garner a lot of attention. Equally significant, however, might be who is in or out of the lineup.

"Certainly, I would say they're healthier from the last time we played them," Saints Coach Sean Payton said Monday. "It wasn't just because of health, but one of their better defensive players wasn't able to play in the first game that we played against them. They're playing with a lot of confidence offensively. They had a big game yesterday (at Green Bay). It was a game kind of like ours where there was a lot of scoring. I think that confidence as the season finishes up bodes well for both teams."

Full article.
New Orleans Saints get healthier Detroit Lions this time around - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

Saints will have to play their best on both sides of the ball to get by the Lions.

Every team in the playoffs is 0-0, so all of the records the Saints set during the season mean nothing during the playoffs.

No Fear !!! Lets Geaux Saints.

We are healthier too, both mentally and physically.
Last time we were favored by 8, this time 11, so I guess Suh doesn't help as much as anyone thinks.
Oddsmakers are the true experts on this subject, not yahoo & ESPN writers

Everybody has valid points - way to go.

What do they base "odds" on when it comes to betting?

Many factors.

Ultimately, it comes down to what 'SHOULD' happen. At least according to the oddsmakers....:bng:

Papz,

Way to dig up another solid article.

Detroit is more dangerous now than when we faced them. They learned something from our loss.

How they handle it is anyone's guess.

But this Saints team is healthy and crisp.

We will win.

they pick the number that will yield the most equal number of bets on each team. So, they try to pick a point spread that is attractive to bettors of either team

They were healthier! This just in!
Kevin Smith, Scheffler collide at Lions practice - CBSSports.com

Yeah, but both returned to practice I do believe.

. . . and in a game like this they will also sweeten the spread to encourage betting on the underdog . . . in this case Detroit . . . the way you guys are playing, they have to do something to get some action on Detroit . . . plus it's in your barn, that's worth 3 . . . I'll take Detroit +10.5 all day long.

go Lions.

This is NOT the same Detroit team we played a month ago. This could easily turn into another Seattle type game if our players look past this game. Just like every playoff game my nerves won't settle until the final whistle blows. I do not like this game at all.

You're right, it's not the same team and this game could go south either way PDQ for either side . . . the one thing in the Saints' favor, and it's a biggee, is the experience of playing in the postseason . . . personally, I wanted to play the Saints more the the Giants because I felt we had a better chance of winning . . . I'll go into more depth in the thread I'm going to start . . . stay tuned.

go Lions.

How about playing in the Dome; that's another BIGGEE! 8-0 at home and averaging 40+ this season.

Lions better wear ear plugs, because the Dome will be absolutely insane!

Yeah, I was thinking about that and how when the football crowd would talk about how loud it was in Ford Field for MNF that the only place they thought was louder was the Superdome . . . we can't be jumping because we can't hear . . .

go Lions.