The Saints are sitting at 9-0 on the year and you would think that this week would be a laugher for them against the 1-8 Bucs.  It won’t be as easy as most people think it will.  The Saints are having big defensive issues as of late due to injuries so they will likely try to dominate this game on offense.  Drew Brees will likely have a lot of time to throw against a Bucs’ D that is lacking pass rushers.  That is bad news for the DBs of the Bucs in having to deal with Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Jeremy Shockey and Robert Meachem.  The Bucs are allowing 211.9 yards passing per game so the Saints will likely have a good day throwing the ball.  But, don’t think for a minute that Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush and Mike Bell won’t get to have their fun too against a Bucs’ D that is allowing 167.3 yards rushing per game and 4.9 yards per carry.

The Bucs look like a different football team with rookie QB Josh Freeman under center.  The Bucs would still likely want to get a running game going in an effort to keep the Saints’ offense on the sideline.  That means that Cadillac Williams, Derrick Ward and Ernest Graham will have to run hard against a Saints’ D that is allowing 115.3 yards rushing per game and 4.5 yards per carry.  If the Bucs are effective running the ball that will open up some play action passing for Freeman against a Saints’ D that is allowing 227.7 yards passing per game. 

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 35, BUCCANEERS 27

This appears to be a huge mis-match on paper.  The Saints will likely be able to do whatever they want on offense as the Rams are allowing 134.8 yards rushing per game (4.2 ypc) and 238.6 yards passing per game.  The Saints have been very balanced this season as they have run the ball 259 times and passed the ball 265 times.  With that in mind look for Pierre Thomas to have a pretty heavy workload in this game.  I also have a feeling that Reggie Bush will get loose on a pass or two out of the backfield against the Rams.  Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and Jeremy Shockey will also get their share of yards with Drew Brees likely picking apart the secondary of the Rams on Sunday.

The Saints have 16 interceptions and 19 sacks this season so look for the Rams to stay away from the passing game unless they fall behind to quick.  This game will belong to Steven Jackson of the Rams against a Saints’ D that is allowing 112.1 yards rushing per game and 4.4 yards per carry.  Ever since the injury to DT Sedrick Ellis teams have been having their way with the front seven of the Saints in the running game.  With that in mind Steven Jackson will likely be very tired after this game as the Rams will ride him hard in this game.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 27, RAMS 13

The New Orleans Saints (7-0) have been dominating opponents at home this season, and this week should not be any different against the Carolina Panthers (3-4).  The Saints should be able to establish a very strong running game early in this one, as the Panthers are giving up 127 rushing yards per game.  Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, and Reggie Bush will be very effective against the Panther run-defense.  I’m expecting Drew Brees to have a big game because of this.  Brees is a very good quarterback, and is a great one when he has time.  With the Saints having the edge in the running game, it will open things up for Brees and their exciting passing game and points will be going up on the board quickly.

The Panthers offense is going to try and control the ball and keep the time of possession in their favor.  Jake Delhomme only had 90 yards last week, but the Panthers won and he did a good job managing the game.  The Saints don’t need to worry too much about Delhomme, but they do need to focus on running back DeAngelo Williams.  Williams is coming off 158 rushing yards and is the Panthers biggest offensive weapon.  I don’t think the Panthers offense will be able to keep up with the Saints, and this should be a blowout.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  New Orleans Saints 41, Carolina Panthers 20

This game will likely be much closer than the “experts” think.  The Falcons will likely try to get Michael Turner started in this game as he is having an off year.  The Saints are allowing 92.3 yards rushing per game and 4.0 yards per carry so Turner could have some success if the Falcons stick to the running game to try to control the clock.  More than likely though this game will turn into a shootout and the Falcons have the weapons to trade punches with the Saints.  Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White and Michael Jenkins have the speed to stretch the field and Matt Ryan has only been sacked six times this season so he will likely have time to throw the ball downfield.  Ryan must account for wherever Darren Sharper of the Saints is because he has six interceptions this season (3 pick sixes).

The Saints will likely run the ball quite a bit in this game with Mike Bell, Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush against a Falcons’ D that is allowing 117.7 yards rushing per game and 4.6 yards per carry.  The Saints will also be throwing the ball down the field to Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Devery Henderson.  Drew Brees will also be targeting TE Jeremy Shockey on shorter passes over the middle giving him some working room.  The Falcons allow 250.7 yards passing per game so Drew Brees should have a good game.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 33, FALCONS 30

The New Orleans Saints (5-0) are on the road Sunday against the Miami Dolphins (2-3).  The Saints have proven themselves to be one the top teams in the league, but that doesn’t mean this game will be a cakewalk.  The Dolphins and their Wildcat offense has been causing problems for defenses across the league.  They are averaging 177 rushing yards per game and teams still have not figured out how to completely stop the Wildcat.  If the Saints can slow down the Wildcat, it will be an easy win for them.

The Dolphins Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams lead the attack in the Wildcat, with the two running backs combining for 759 yards and eight touchdowns on 4.9 yards per carry.  Chad Henne has also proven himself to be a very capable quarterback in this league and is 2-0 as a starter.  I don’t think he will have the success he had in his previous two starts though.  Drew Brees and the Saints offense will be able to do their thing against the Dolphins defense that has not faced anyone near as explosive as the Saints’ offense.  They have three headed running attack with Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush, and Mike Bell.  Both defenses are going to have a tough time stopping each others’ running attack, but the Saints have way more weapons so they should be able to outscore the Dolphins.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  New Orleans Saints 31, Miami Dolphins 20