Saints’ task to be more difficult

Analyzing the odds for upcoming games and events.

The most surprising team in the NFL a year ago was the New Orleans Saints.

In a return to their home city after the tragic events stemming from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Saints won the NFC South with a 10-6 record. Under new Coach Sean Payton and rejuvenated quarterback Drew Brees, New Orleans came within one game of reaching the Super Bowl for the first time, losing to the Chicago Bears in the NFC championship game.

Whether the Saints can reach such heights again this season is open to debate. They will be playing a tougher schedule in 2007, having to face the other three NFC division winners -- Chicago, Seattle and Philadelphia -- and will play all four teams in the challenging AFC South, including a season-opening game at defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis on Sept. 6.

In its listing of win totals for all NFL teams, the website VegasInsider.com had the Saints at 9 1/2 victories. If a bettor believes the Saints will win fewer than 9 1/2 games, the under would be the play. If the bettor thinks they will win more than 9 1/2 , then over is the way to go.

Atlanta, one of New Orleans’ division rivals, is listed at eight wins, although there could be a rush in the coming days to go under the total given the federal indictment of quarterback Michael Vick on illegal dogfighting charges Tuesday.

Another website, BetUS.com, has several different propositions on how the Falcons will fare if Vick is playing and if he is not. The site lists Atlanta at 22-1 to win the NFC with him and 28-1 without him, 7-2 to win the South with him and 9-2 without, and have Vick at 15-1 to be chosen the NFL’s most valuable player.

If Vick were to be suspended before or during the season, the backup quarterback for the Falcons hardly inspires confidence. Matt Schaub was traded to Houston, where he’ll be the starter. Schaub’s successor? Joey Harrington, the former Oregon star who has been a bust in Detroit and Miami.

Those who believe the Bears, who reached the Super Bowl for the first time in more than two decades in February, can match their 13-3 record of a season ago are going to be tempted to go over in 2007. Chicago is listed at 10 1/2 wins, the highest number for any NFC team.

bob.mieszerski@latimes.com

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The Odds

Example of a -140 favorite: In order to win $100, you would have to bet $140. Example of a +130 underdog: A $100 bet would win you $130.

Major League Baseball

National League

*--* Favorite Underdog at Milwaukee -140 Arizona +130 at Chicago -180 San Francisco +170 at Florida -160 Cincinnati +150 Colorado -115 at Washington +105 at Atlanta -200 St. Louis +185 at San Diego -125 Philadelphia +115 at Dodgers -130 New York +120

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American League

*--* Favorite Underdog Angels -180 at Tampa Bay +170 at New York -220 Toronto +200 Detroit -115 at Minnesota +105 at Boston -210 Chicago +190 Cleveland -160 at Texas +150

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Copyright 2007 World Features Syndicate, Inc.