Last season’s playoff loss feels different. While the Saints will continue to be relevant under Sean Payton and their talented roster, things will be different in New Orleans. Drew Brees turned around to view the Superdome one more time before exiting in black and gold for the last time of his career. It’s the end of an era and the Saints now move in another direction after Brees announced his retirement in March.
The storyline that will dominate in New Orleans for the next year will be their quarterback situation, with both Jamies Winston and Taysom Hill likely competing for the starting job. While the loss of Brees is the focal point of the offseason, other free agents like Trey Hendrickson and Janoris Jenkins left for other teams. Unfortunately, the Saints weren’t able to bring in many free agents as their cap space situation is one of the worst in the NFL. Many analysts and bettors expect the Saints to take a noticeable step back in 2021.
However, Payton is still in charge and New Orleans will find a way to be competitive. Don’t count the Saints out just yet, despite the free agent losses.
New Orleans Saints Week 1 odds
The New Orleans Saints kick off their 2021 season at home against the Green Bay Packers. It’s the first time in 15 seasons that Drew Brees is not the Week 1 starter after he announced his retirement following the 2020 season. Based off 2020, Taysom Hill would be the presumed starter for the Saints, though Jameis Winston is expected to compete for the job. Under Hill, the Saints went 3-1 a season ago.
DraftKings Sportsbook has New Orleans listed at after opening as 2.5-point favorites amid the Rodgers-Green Bay controvery. In 2020, the Saints reached new levels of efficiency running the football– they finished 5th in rush EPA on the season and 3rd in rush success rate. In Brees absence, the Saints maintained their position in run success rate, but dipped to 9th in rush EPA. They finished 10-8 against the spread and 10-8 against the over in 2020.
Complete Week 1 betting preview: Packers vs. Saints
New Orleans Saints futures odds
Futures are long-term bets that can range from an offseason to a full season (or beyond). Team win totals, award winners, and player performance are common futures.
Saints Super Bowl odds and other futures markets 2021
- Odds to win Super Bowl: +4000
- To win NFC: +1800
- To win NFC South: +320
- Make playoffs: +114
- Saints win total: 9 (-105)
Odds last updated July 12
Saints prop bets
Prop bets are based on individual performance, typically surrounding players. Alvin Kamara was one of the most all-around dominant players in the NFL this past season, making him a bettor’s favorite for prop betting. For example, Kamara’s projected receiving total for the Saints’ Week 3 matchup with the Green Bay Packers was 49.5 yards. That game, he went off for 139 receiving yards, giving those who bet the over on that prop the win.
Search below for New Orleans Saints team or player props currently being offered at sportsbooks. You can also look around at other teams and players using this tool. Happy shopping!
New Orleans Saints 2021 schedule and betting odds
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff Time | Opening Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 12 | vs Green Bay Packers | 4:25 p.m. ET | Saints -2.5 |
| Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 19 | at Carolina Panthers | 1:00 p.m. ET | Saints -2.5 |
| Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 26 | at New England Patriots | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 3 | vs New York Giants | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 10 | at Washington Football Team | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 17 | BYE | N/A | N/A |
| Week 7 | Monday, Oct. 25 | at Seattle Seahawks | 8:15 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 8 | Sunday, Oct. 31 | vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 4:25 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 7 | vs Atlanta Falcons | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 14 | at Tennessee Titans | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 21 | at Philadelphia Eagles | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 12 | Thursday, Nov. 25 | vs Buffalo Bills | 8:20 p.m. ET | Bills -3.5 |
| Week 13 | Thursday, Dec. 2 | vs Dallas Cowboys | 8:20 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 12 | at New York Jets | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 15 | Sunday, Dec. 19 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 8:20 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 16 | Monday, Dec. 27 | vs Miami Dolphins | 8:15 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 2 | vs Carolina Panthers | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 18 | Sunday, Jan. 9 | at Atlanta Falcons | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
Best Saints betting site(s)
How to bet on the New Orleans Saints
Moneyline
The moneyline is the simplest of bets, decided by the straight-up winner and loser of each game. Consider the following example:
- Saints -150
- Colts +210
The Saints are considered favorites in this matchup (indicated by -150), requiring a $150 bet to win $100 (plus the initial bet back). The Colts are the underdog in this matchup, paying out $310 total for a $100 bet ($210 in winnings). How much either team wins or loses by does not matter in moneyline betting, the payout remains the same.
Point spread
Betting on the point spread is determinant on how many points a team wins or loses by. Take the following example:
- Saints -1.5 (-110)
- Bills +1.5 (-110)
In this example, New Orleans is favored by 1.5 points, indicated by “-1.5.” If the Saints win the game 31-27, the Saints (-1.5) win the bet and would have a total payout of $19.09 on a $10 bet ($9.09 in profit). If the Bills keep the game within two or win the game outright– say they win 31-30– the Bills (+1.5) would win, and the payout would be the same as listed above.
Point total (over/under)
The point total refers to the over/under line set by books. This number projects the total number of points scored in a game and, like prop betting, is bet whether one thinks the score will go over or under the set point total. For example, the Saints’ Week 15 showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs had a 54.5 point over/under. The Saints came up short in a 39-32 shootout, resulting in 71 total points. Those that bet the over in the game would have cashed out.
In-play and live betting
Sometimes, the most thrilling and rewarding bets are bets made while games are being played. These are referred to as live bets or in-play bets. Odds are ever-changing during games, which would prove to be fruitful for sharp and prepared bettors. For example, if the Saints (-225) were heavily favored against the Panthers (+190) before kickoff, a payout on a $10 bet on the Saints to win would win just $4.44.
However, say the Saints fell to a big 21-3 deficit in the first half despite controlling the overall game (due to a costly turnover or special teams gaffe). Odds may swing in favor of the Panthers, who may be a -110 favorite at halftime. Taking the Saints to come back and win the game could present plus-odds (say, +130). Should a bettor take New Orleans (+130) at halftime and the Saints pull off the comeback, winners would win $13 instead of $4.44 (plus the initial $10 bet).
This could also be an effective way to “hedge” your bet; say a bettor took the Panthers (+190) in that game, but New Orleans jumps out to a 14-0 first quarter lead and is controlling the overall feel of the game, bettors could hedge by throwing some money down on New Orleans (-270) to return some of the inevitably-lost bet.
Parlays and teasers
You can always string bets together in the form of parlays or teasers. Usually during busy Sundays, bettors can parlay several teams to win or cover against the spread and if all bets are successful, the payouts are multiplied. Teasers function similarly, except they allow bettors to move each point spread to a more favorable line in exchange for diminished odds.
Saints 2020 recap
Record: 12-4
Record ATS: 9-7
Over/under record: 10-6
There’s no doubt the New Orleans Saints were one of the best teams in the NFL in 2020. They came up short in the NFC Divisional Round and cast doubt on the future of the organization, but 12-4 is nothing to be disappointed in. They were the only team in the league to finish in the top five in both scoring offense and scoring defense; their run defense was fearsome and Alvin Kamara was, at times, a one-man wrecking crew.
There were few blemishes on the Saints record– so few that it might be forgotten they had backup quarterback Taysom Hill leading the charge for the better part of the late season. However, it did lead to some games being closer than they needed, namely against the Falcons and Eagles. The season started off poorly under Drew Brees (1-2 including a loss to the Raiders), but they managed to win 11 of their last 13 games.
Saints 2021 offseason moves
Trades: None
Re-signings: S Marcus Williams (franchise tag), QB Taysom Hill (four years, $140 million), QB Jameis Winston (one year, $12 million), CB P.J. Williams (one year, $2.3 million)
Free agent losses: QB Drew Brees (retirement), EDGE Trey Hendrickson (to Bengals), WR Emmanuel Sanders (to Bills), Malcom Brown (to Jaguars)
Free agent signings: Tanoh Kpassagnon (two year, $4.5 million)
Draft picks: EDGE Payton Turner, LB Pete Werner, CB Paulson Adebo, QB Ian Book