The New Orleans Saints are woven into the culture of their city, and their Super Bowl XLIV title came just a few years after Hurricane Katrina. They play indoors in the iconic Superdome. Here's how to read Saints odds.
Who the New Orleans Saints are
City and stadium
New Orleans was awarded an NFL franchise on November 1, 1966, All Saints' Day, and the Saints began play in 1967. They've played at the Louisiana Superdome since 1975, a massive domed stadium in downtown New Orleans that has hosted many Super Bowls. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005 damaged the stadium and displaced the team for a season, the Saints' return in 2006 became a symbol of the city's recovery.
Famous eras
- Early struggles: the Saints didn't have a winning season until 1987.
- The Dome Patrol: a famous linebacking corps in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- The Brees-Payton era: quarterback Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton led a prolific offense that won Super Bowl XLIV after the 2009 season, beating Indianapolis. The surprise onside kick to open the second half is one of the gutsiest calls in Super Bowl history.
Rivalries
The Atlanta Falcons rivalry is the Saints' biggest. The Saints also face the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers twice a year in the NFC South.
How to read odds on Saints games
Favorite or underdog
Saints -6.5 (-110), moneyline -280: implied 280 ÷ 380 = 73.7%. Saints +2.5 (-110), moneyline +120: implied 100 ÷ 220 = 45.5%.
Dome noise and home advantage
The Superdome is known for being extremely loud, especially with the roof trapping crowd noise. Many observers have viewed it as one of the tougher road environments, especially in strong Saints eras. As with all venues, home advantage is priced in. See home-field advantage.
Indoor scoring
Dome games remove weather from the equation, and indoor stadiums have often been associated with slightly higher scoring than outdoor ones, since passing and kicking conditions are ideal. The market already reflects this in the total. On the road late in the season, the Saints may face cold, outdoor games.
Worked example: dome-to-outdoor swing
The Saints face the same opponent twice:
- At the Superdome: total 48.5
- At a cold, windy outdoor stadium in December: total 42.5
A 6-point difference purely from venue and conditions. If you want to pick a total, first ask how much of the number is about the teams and how much is about the setting. See weather and outdoor sports.
Late-season road trips
Teams that play home games indoors are sometimes thought to struggle in cold outdoor games. The evidence is mixed, and the market is aware of the storyline. Don't overweight it.
Season-long markets
If the Saints are +250 to win the NFC South, the implied chance is 100 ÷ 350 = 28.6%. Division futures in a balanced division can be a good place to practice comparing your own estimates with the market, since there are only four teams to think about.
Short weeks and prime time
The Superdome has hosted many prime-time games. Short weeks after Sunday night or Monday night games can affect preparation. It's a modest factor, but worth checking when the schedule is congested. See how to read a matchup.
What to check before picking Saints games
- Quarterback status.
- Dome at home, outdoor conditions on the road.
- Crowd and noise for big home games.
- NFC South spots, especially the Falcons games.
- Rest and travel.
- Price check. See implied probability.
Practice with play money
Saints games are perfect for learning how venue changes totals. On MockSport you can make free play-money picks on Saints home and road totals and see how often the venue effect showed up. Visit the odds page.
FAQ
Where do the Saints play?
At the Louisiana Superdome in downtown New Orleans, a domed stadium that has been their home since 1975.
When did the Saints win the Super Bowl?
After the 2009 season, beating the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.
Who are the Saints' main rivals?
The Atlanta Falcons, plus the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South.