Seahawks vs Saints odds and prediction for NFL Week 7 game
By Jake Luppino
The odds are officially stacked against the Seattle Seahawks. Not only in Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints, but for the remainder of the season as their playoff hopes get slimmer and slimmer with each loss they tally. Last year entering Week 7 of the 2020 season, the Seattle Seahawks were undefeated at 5-0. Now, they enter their third straight primetime game in last place of the NFC West at 2-4.
But, in their defense, the record doesn’t tell the whole story. Of course, the injuries to key players such as Russell Wilson and Chris Carson make a difference. Despite that, Seattle could easily be 4-2. They have two overtime losses in the early season. One in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans where they blew a 14 point lead in the fourth quarter. The other coming in the heartbreaking loss suffered last week on the road in Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football. In both of those games, they played well enough to win.
Their opponent in Week 7 will be the New Orleans Saints. The enigma of the NFL. Coming into the 2021 season, following Drew Brees’ retirement, many weren’t sure what to make of New Orleans. Yet, as we enter Week 7, the Saints sit at 3-2 and are currently in playoff contention. While QB Jameis Winston has had an up and down start, you can never underestimate their head coach, Sean Payton.
Although this matchup isn’t as enticing as many would like for a primetime game, the result of it could play a serious role in playoff implications down the road.
Seahawks vs Saints Odds Week 7
Last week against Pittsburgh, the Geno Smith-led Seahawks covered against the spread as they only lost by 3. Entering Week 7, the betting odds on WynnBet once again have the Seattle Seahawks as +4.5 underdogs. The Saints have -220 moneyline odds , with the Seahawks are +185. The over/under for total points in the game is set at 43.5 (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Seahawks vs Saints Prediction Week 7
The oddsmakers feel very similar to how they felt last week. But this time around, rather than Seattle facing an aging quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger, they go up against the inconsistent Jameis Winston. Just like last week, many should expect another physical, low-scoring game. Both teams will be relying on their defense to create a spark.
KEY TO THE GAME: Nothing over the top
With Geno Smith once again under the helm, expect another conservative play-calling game from Shane Waldron. The last thing Seattle wants to do with a backup in the game is beat themselves. Their strategy will be very similar to last week. Rely on the defense to make the stops and even force a turnover or two that will set up the offense in excellent field position.
Last week against the Seahawks, Ben Roethlisberger was 19-19 on short passes (ranging from 0-9 yards), according to Next Gen Stats. That means Pittsburgh drew up a game plan to get the ball out quickly to help their struggling offensive line. This week, going up against a very good Saints offensive front, Seattle will have to do their best to apply pressure on Jameis Winston. Not only is Winston prone to turning the ball over under duress, but it might also eliminate the explosive plays from the Saints playbook.
New Orleans’ top two wide receivers are Deonte Harris and Marquez Callaway. Both of whom average nearly 20 yards per reception (Harris averages 19.7 yards per reception, Callaway averages 17.1 yards per reception). Seattle’s philosophy of keeping everything in front in their cover 3 scheme should help them. But, remember in Week 5 against Los Angeles, the turning point of the game was when Matthew Stafford hit DeSean Jackson on a bomb. If Seattle is able to take away the plays over the top, they should have no problem in slowing down the Saints offense as they rank 28th in the NFL, averaging 295.2 total yards per game.
The bad news for Seattle is that the Saints have the second-best rushing defense in the NFL, only allowing 79.0 yards per game. Last week against Pittsburgh, Seattle made it very obvious that they were going to run the ball. If they struggle with establishing the run — as Chris Carson will once again be out and Alex Collins is questionable — I am afraid the Seahawks will have to rely on the arm of Geno Smith. Shane Waldron should design more plays that will allow Geno to get the ball out quicker and give his guys a chance at making a play after the catch. We saw both D.K Metcalf and Gerald Everett do that in Week 6.
dark. Next. Jacob Eason and the Seahawks unite!
Heck, they even put Tyler Lockett as the punt returner, seeing if he can give them a spark there. Regardless — this is probably my heart picking over my brain — I have the Seattle Seahawks keeping their season alive, defeating the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football, 24-20.