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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

WhoDat!656

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.

QBREES9

No Fear !!! Lets Geaux Saints.

ScottF

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

homerj07

Everybody has valid points - way to go.

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

saintsfan1976

Many factors.

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

saintsfan1976

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.

ScottF

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

Budsdrinker

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

saintfan

Yeah, but both returned to practice I do believe.