NFL football fans get a real treat to begin the regular season on Thursday, as the defending champion Indianapolis Colts host the New Orleans at the RCA Dome in a battle of two of the top three offenses from last season. The Saints won their last three games of the preseason to head into the regular season on a high note, and they will be led into Indianapolis by Drew Brees who had the third-highest quarterback rating in the NFL last season. Brees also has a lot of weapons at his disposal with running backs Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister, and receiver Marques Colston. The Saints also added youth and experience to the offense with 11-year veteran David Patten joining the team from Washington and rookie Robert Meachem out of Tennessee. Colston was perhaps the biggest surprise of last season, but the receiving corps took a hit after he went down with an injury. There is also pressure on Bush after he had a brilliant second half to his rookie season, showing why he was a Heisman winner and the No. 2 overall pick coming out of college. The Saints' defense was also underrated last season, coming in at 11th in yards allowed per game. However, they were 23rd against the run.
The Colts were 1-3 in the preseason, including a 27-24 loss at home to Chicago Bears in a rematch of last season's Super Bowl. The season opener against the Saints will be a good indication of how their defense will hold up because most are predicting another rough season on that side of the ball for the Colts, who were 21st in yards allowed per game and dead last against the run. But that can be overlooked when you have the NFL's best quarterback, Peyton Manning, leading the offense. Manning looked extremely sharp during the preseason in his appearances, and he powered the Colts' sole win over Detroit Lions with an almost-flawless performance. Joseph Addai appears to be ready to take over the No. 1 running back spot from the departed Dominic Rhodes, while Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne look to be in midseason form already. The player to watch will be rookie Anthony Gonzalez out of Ohio State, as he replaces Brandon Stokley in the slot position which is crucial in the Colts' system. Indy is a six-point favorite at WagerWeb with the total sitting at 52.5. Check out WagerWeb Sportsbook for NFL Betting Odds.
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