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NFL betting: Saints getting public support over Seahawks on Monday night

Pete Truszkowski
·3-min read

Week 7 of the NFL season comes to an end on "Monday Night Football" when the New Orleans Saints head northwest to play the Seattle Seahawks. The Saints are 4-point road favorites in this game with the total currently set at 41.5 points.

The public continued its hot streak on Sunday and has fared very well betting NFL football over the past few weeks. Which sides are the public leaning toward on Monday night at BetMGM?

Road Saints getting public support

The New Orleans Saints sit with a 3-2 record and they are coming off of their bye week. New Orleans has had some impressive performances this season, but they've also played a few games that leave you scratching your head in hindsight.

Bettors are expecting to see the "good" version of New Orleans on Monday night as 64% of the bets are on the Saints to cover the 4-point spread.

New Orleans should get a nice boost with offensive linemen Terron Armstead and Erik McCoy expected back in the lineup. This should open up more room for Alvin Kamara in the running game while also giving Jameis Winston more time to attack the porous Seahawks' secondary down field.

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 10: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints and Alvin Kamara #41 celebrates during the first half against the Washington Football Team at FedExField on October 10, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Bettors are hoping for a big game from Alvin Kamara and Jameis Winston. (Rob Carr/Getty Images) (Rob Carr via Getty Images)

It's rare seeing the Seahawks as home underdogs in a primetime spot, but the market isn't expecting the 12th man to be able to make up the difference between Geno Smith and Russell Wilson. Smith has been fine, but very pedestrian in his appearances in relief of Wilson.

Total moving as under gets sharp support

It seems like sharp bettors have taken a position on this game, and it appears that position is for this game to go under the total.

Despite 55% of bets being placed on the game to go over the total, 66% of the money wagered has gone toward the under. This means bigger bets from respected bettors are backing a low-scoring game. We saw this total open at 43.5 points, but it has come all the way down to its current number of 41.5.

We mentioned above the drop-off in Seattle's offense without Wilson. Smith might be fine as a backup, but the Seahawks' offense definitely downgrades significantly with Wilson out. In addition to Wilson, the Seahawks will be without starting running back Chris Carson.

On the other side, it seems like Sean Payton has done a good job of instilling ball management into Winston, but at what cost? We haven't seen Winston post the gaudy numbers he amassed in Tampa Bay. Winston has been thrust into more of a game-manager role with the Saints and his personal numbers reflect that.

Popular prop bets

Kamara is one of the best running backs in the league, so it's no surprise to see him headline the popular props for Monday night. Kamara is currently +375 to score the first touchdown of the game. The Saints' offense runs through Kamara, as he's gotten at least 20 touches in all but one game this season. He has four touchdowns on the season, three of which have come through the air.

Another big name to monitor in the prop market is Seahawks' wide receiver D.K. Metcalf. Metcalf is currently +130 to score a touchdown at anytime and +650 to score multiple touchdowns in the game. Smith threw a touchdown to Metcalf when he entered for an injured Wilson against the Rams and then targeted Metcalf seven times in the next game. Metcalf is a big play threat anytime he gets the ball.