The New Orleans Saints have been on the edge of being very good after eight games, but all they have to show for it is a 4-4 record.
That’s good enough to be tied with Atlanta for first in the NFC South, but coach Dennis Allen’s team is only 2-3 in games decided by a touchdown or less.
To aid in your use of Louisiana sportsbooks throughout the remainder of the season, LouisanaBets.com took a look at teams that were 4-4 after Week 8 in 2022 to gauge the Saints’ chances of making the playoffs. Greatness happened for two teams in 2022, but few expect lofty heights in New Orleans this year.
4-4 Teams After Week 8 in 2022
* — Bengals were 12-4, but played one fewer game.
^ — Record rounded up to nearest whole number.
The Saints playoff chances are still favorable despite their 4-4 record. New Orleans is currently -140 to make the postseason and +115 to miss out.
Two 4-4 Teams Reached NFL’s Final Four
Of the five teams standing 4-4 after Week 8 in 2022, Cincinnati and San Francisco took off. The Bengals went 8-0, didn't finish their game with the Bills when Buffalo’s Demar Hamlin nearly died on the field, and didn’t lose until the AFC Championship Game to Kansas City. The 49ers went 9-0 and made it to the NFC Championship Game before losing to the Eagles.
The Chiefs (+500), 49ers (+525) and Eagles (+550) remain this year’s top three championship favorites, while the Saints Super Bowl odds are +6000.
No one’s confusing this year’s Saints with the Bengals or the 49ers, but the chances for winning the NFC South exist after a healthy 38-27 victory over Indianapolis this past week. Three of the four losses are by a touchdown or less: 18-17 to Green Bay on Sept. 24, 20-13 to Houston on Oct. 15 and 31-24 to Jacksonville on Oct. 19. Quarterback Derek Carr had his most efficient game of the season against the Colts, completing 19 of 27 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. That led to season-highs of 11.5 yards per attempt and quarterback rating of 133.3.
That sets up New Orleans to get above .500 with a game against the 2-6 Chicago Bears on Sunday at home. The Saints are a 6.5-point favorite over Chicago and the over-under on the game is 41 points, according to BetMGM Louisiana.
New Orleans will be hoping to avoid what happened to the other three teams that were 4-4 after Week 8 in 2022. New England closed with a 4-5 record and was third in the AFC East. Washington was 4-4-1 and the only NFC East team to miss the playoffs. The Falcons were 3-6 to finish 7-10 overall.
