Saints Once Again Favored to Win NFC After Beating Cowboys, While Rams & Packers Falling

• After eking out a narrow 12-10 win over Dallas on Sunday, the New Orleans Saints have returned to the top of the NFC odds at +500 to win the conference
• The Saints had tumbled as far as +1000 after quarterback Drew Brees was sidelined with a thumb injury
• Despite their success without Brees, the Saints remain behind Dallas and the Rams as NFC favorites elsewhere

It looks like it will take more than a long-term injury to star quarterback Drew Brees to derail the New Orleans Saints from their mission to claim an NFC title. Bounced from the top of the odds to win the NFC championship after Brees was sidelined by a thumb injury in Week 2 that required surgery to repair, the Saints have proceeded to silence the naysayers by recording consecutive wins without their future Hall-of-Fame pivot.

In the wake of Brees’ injury, the Saints saw their NFC championship odds plummet from their peak at +410 following the team’s 30-28 season-opening win over Houston to a lengthy +1000.

But after eking out a narrow 12-10 victory over the previously undefeated Dallas Cowboys in Week 4 action, the Saints have returned to their familiar perch as +500 favorites to win the NFC championship in the NFL futures.

Odds to win NFC Championship

Odds taken on 09/30/19

Bridgewater, Kamara Step Up in Brees’ Absence

The Saints have benefited from having an experienced quarterback backing up Brees.

Teddy Bridgewater demonstrated veteran cool while leading the Saints to a crucial 33-27 win in Seattle, connecting of 70.4% of pass attempts for 177 yards and two scores, including a crucial clock-eating touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

Round of applause for @Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/sRt9x69Qu2

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 30, 2019

Bridgewater struggled at times in the Saints’ victory over Dallas, compiling just 165 yards to go along with a dismal 15.8 adjusted QBR.

However, a stout defense stepped up to bail out the Saints’ attack, limiting the Cowboys’ offense to just 257 total yards while forcing three turnovers, including a second-quarter fumble recovery that led to a field goal to end the first half.

The importance of Alvin Kamara cannot be understated. The Saints running back has been key to the team’s offense in Brees’ absence, carrying the ball on 33 occasions and making 12 catches for 250 total yards and two touchdowns over the past two games.

Brees on Pace For Speedy Return?

Reports indicate that Brees could return to action as early as their Week 8 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, but the challenge remains a difficult three-game stretch in the meantime.

Thanks to some new technology, @Saints QB Drew Brees might return from injury quicker than expected. @JayGlazer reports: pic.twitter.com/BT6PgH7aWS

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 29, 2019

The New Orleans defense will once again be tested when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Mercedes-Benz Superdome next weekend. The Saints then make the trip to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars and Minshew Mania  in Week 6 before traveling to Chicago to take on the surging Bears a week later.

Cowboys, Rams Face Tough Schedules

The Saints’ closest rivals on the NFC conference odds have some issues of their own to contend with.

Dallas’ offensive breakdown in New Orleans could not have come at a worse time, kicking off a four-game stretch that also features dates with Philadelphia and Green Bay, which has fallen to +800 to win the conference following last Thursday’s heartbreaking 34-27 loss to the Eagles.

Dallas Cowboys’ 2019 schedule: pic.twitter.com/QwfQSzhnJz

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 17, 2019

The Rams also find themselves looking for answers after putting on a dismal defensive performance in an otherwise entertaining 55-40 loss to Tampa Bay. Los Angeles must now quickly regroup ahead of a Thursday Night Football clash with Seattle followed by a home date with the currently undefeated San Francisco 49ers.

Second Half Success Key to Saints’ Hopes

If the Saints can avoid a collapse over their next three contests, they will be strongly positioned to make a second-half march to the top of the NFC standings.

Today's @blackbluereport is hosted by @AshleyAmoss and @carolinegonzo34 as they sit down with @JohnDeShazier to discuss the Saints schedule release and the upcoming draft for the Saints.

🔊 https://t.co/rMmSfol0zG

(via: @SeatGeek) pic.twitter.com/nG7Ldv9NhM

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 19, 2019

In addition to five games against the lowly NFC South, New Orleans also enjoys winnable dates against Tennessee and Arizona in the second half, giving them a clear edge in the race for top seeding in the NFC.

Pick: Saints to win NFC championship (+650)