PATS OPEN NFL PRESEASON WITH VICTORY OVER SAINTS

The New England Patriots opened up a 17-7 halftime lead but needed a Stephen Gostkowski field goal in the final minute to beat the New Orleans Saints 27-24 in the first preseason game for both teams.   The Super Bowl Champions looked listless and their starting offense sputtered, but got back in the game behind their reserves in the late 3rd and early 4th quarters.  New Orleans would tie the game on a Garrett Hartley field goal which would set up Gostokwski’s game winning strike with :53 seconds remaining.

NFL betting enthusiasts that backed the Patriots as -2 home favorites managed to eke out a win.  The 51 points scored sailed OVER the posted total of 35.  New England has been a good bet as a preseason favorite since 1990 posting a 22-15 ATS mark.  The Pats have shown a tendency to come out firing at the start of the preseason, and have now covered 7 of their last 8 Week 1 preseason games. New Orleans has a solid record as a preseason underdog at 29-19 ATS but it’s important to remember that was compiled during the team’s long run of NFL futility.  They’re defending Superbowl Champions now and that’s an entirely different dynamic.  

Saints’ coach Sean Payton knows there’s a lot of work to do:

"Too many sloppy things we've got to get corrected. I know it's the first week of preseason; still, a lot of things are disturbing. ... I think we'll put the tape in and we'll see it wasn't just young players."

The Saints know that they can’t rest on their laurels as Superbowl champs, and according to linebacker Jonathan Vilma must prove themselves all over again:

"That's been our mindset from the start. We've got to prove ourselves all over again. We've got to keep working and improve on the little things."

The Patriots, meanwhile, are trying to put the past behind them.  Their last game was a 33-14 blowout loss at home to the Baltimore Ravens that eliminated them from the playoffs.  Coach Bill Bilichick says that’s no longer a concern:

"It's a new year. We've had 20 practices. Whatever happened last year was last year."

The Saints will host Houston next Saturday night in their home preseason debut, while New England plays at Atlanta on Thursday.  New Orleans will open the regular season on Thursday, September 6th at home against the Minnesota Vikings.  The Saints are a -6 point NFL betting favorite in this game, with the total set at 48’.  New England will also start the regular season campaign at home, hosting Cincinnati on Sunday.  The Patriots are a -4’ point home favorite with the total set at 43.