Originally Posted by Will Brinson, CBSSports.com

(excerpt)

New Orleans Saints, 9
Over (-120) / Under (even)
Really was hoping this would open up lower, because I love New Orleans this year. Starting Charles Brown and Zach Strief at tackles is a problem, but their guards are what make that offensive line hum. Drew Brees is Drew Brees and he is good. His weapons are all intact and I wouldn't be stunned if Mark Ingram had a surprisingly impressive season. Switching to Rob Ryan's 3-4 defense will improve things dramatically on D; netting Keenan Lewis, Victor Butler and Kenny Vaccarro were great, great moves. Sean Payton's return will make the offense more efficient and there aren't any bounty-related distractions this season. Verdict: OVER

2013 NFL season over/under win totals: NFC picks - CBSSports.com

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 505447)

Originally Posted by TheOak (Post 505452)

Preseason is a joke, and minicamp is practice. I am not sure how waiting until those are completed helps the assessment.

Originally Posted by AllSaints (Post 505519)

preseason is a joke remember Blaine Gabbert going Peyton manning on us last year n preseason then reg season came n ummm he stunk it up...

Originally Posted by TheOak (Post 505520)

The unknown is Rex Ryan. Forget the issue if his defense, and keep in mind that more often than not teams start the season very slow on defense no matter who the new scheme or coordinator is. That is the reason for our opening.

Defenses are always the slowest to get up to speed in any season, add on a new DC and scheme and expect a few games before our feet are fully under us on that side of the ball.

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II (Post 505547)

Good points Oak. Drew will seriously need to torch Atlantas secondary for us to have a chance in our first outing with the new 3-4 defense. I would imagine that we will need a couple of games for Ryan to determine where every one needs to be and get the most out of his players. The defense is going to take some time to get clicking, but when it does I think that our defense will show a massive improvement by seasons end. We've got the tools to do it!

Originally Posted by Vrillon82 (Post 505717)

Based off SOS, performance, and what not from last year, its a suckers bet on most of those under/over win totals.

you cant convince me that Atlanta (team that has struggled to beat just about anyone including the sub .500 teams last season, is going to be a 10 win team vs what may end up being a very tough schedule for the NFC South all the way around) I consider Atl's 13 win season a miracle. I consider them going over 10 wins last season a miracle given what went down.

heres my picks

Saints - 11
Falcons 9
Panthers 8
Bucs 7

Originally Posted by SaintnDE (Post 505718)

I have already up the ante on that one; office bet is 13-3.