If the commissioner has done one thing right it’s make late-season games competitive. Many of the Week 17 matchups have playoff implications, forcing coaches to play their starters for the entire game.

One of those teams are the New Orleans Saints.

“We’re going into it full speed ahead,” head coach Sean Payton said, adding that he will not monitor the 49ers-Rams game in order to decide playing time. A 49ers loss earlier in the afternoon will hand the Saints the No. 2 seed, a Niners win will leave New Orleans number three.

Payton cited late-season momentum as a reason for Drew Brees to play fully.
***

Bet on NFL odds in the Bovada Sportsbook!
***

Betting Analysis: It’s all wagers go for the NFL’s hottest bet. Brees isn’t just tearing up fantasy stats, he has the Saints on a seven-game win streak against the spread. New Orleans is a -7.5 favorite at home versus the Carolina Panthers.

Having the home field for Week 17 helps too, the Saints are 8-0 ATS this year in the big easy, everything is lining up for another Saints blowout in Week 17. The Saints have scored 40-plus the last two weeks.

The only player we can see slowing them down is Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. In their previous meeting Newton and co. kept up with the Panthers losing 30-27 but covering the 6.5-point spread.
***

NFL odds for Week 17 are up in the Bovada Sportsbook!