Saints Favored at 3 Points Despite 2-5 Record as Watson Sits Out

The Cleveland Browns arrive in New Orleans with a 5-3 record, but their starting quarterback is out. Deshaun Watson will miss Sunday's game due to a concussion, forcing backup Shedeur Sanders to take the field for the NFL Week 9 matchup.

New Orleans enters the contest at 2-5 with one win in its last five games. Despite the poor record, the Saints are listed as the home favorite. DraftKings Sportsbook sets the spread at 3 points for New Orleans. The Over/Under for total points is set at 42.5.

The SportsLine Projection Model has posted a 60-51 record on top-rated picks since 2024. The model projects a 61% probability that New Orleans wins the game. It rates the Saints money line as the recommended play for Week 9.

Saints quarterback Tyler Shough has shown capability this season, but the team lacks depth. The New Orleans defense allows 27.7 points per game, the fourth highest total in the league. This defensive struggle places pressure on an offense that has been inconsistent.

Cleveland's 5-3 record may overstate its performance. Three wins came against Tampa Bay, Tennessee, and a Baltimore team missing Lamar Jackson. The Browns offense averages 17.4 points per game. With Watson sidelined, that unit is now led by Sanders.

Betting trends show mixed results for both teams. Cleveland is 5-3 against the spread and 4-4 to the Over this season. New Orleans is 3-4 against the spread and 4-3 to the Over.

The betting line barely moved after news broke that Watson would likely sit out. This suggests oddsmakers already anticipated his absence. The model views the current price as a value play for the home team.